There is no systematic attempt to evaluate the air quality of any settlement in the Niger Delta region over a long period. Records of air quality data for this study were generated through secondary sources from impact assessment of facilities aimed at implementing air quality regulations on the environment. Suspended particulate matter in the region's atmosphere ranged from 40 µg/m 3 in Brass to 98 µg/m 3 in Port Harcourt. Carbon monoxide concentrations were highest in Mbiama (191 µg/m 3). Nitrogen dioxide concentration was highest in Bonny (187 µg/m 3), and sulphur dioxide concentrations ranged from 19 µg/m 3 in Ukwugba to 90 µg/m 3 in Port Harcourt. Total hydrocarbon ranged from 78 µg/m 3 in Odukpani to 192 µg/m 3 in Nchia. Carbon dioxide ranged from 400 ppm in Buguma to 450 ppm in Port Harcourt. The most abundant of the VOCs is benzene and toluene. Ethylene was detected only in one station at concentration of 0.1 µg/m 3 which was negligible. The most abundant of the metals was zinc, which was present at above 2 µg/m 3 in most of the study settlements. In remote settlements like Buguma and Emuoha, some of the metals were not detected at all. In some instances, short-term limits for the pollutants exceeded WHO standards. The need for stakeholders in the region to articulate initiatives that support quality environmental practices was emphasized as laws pertaining to air quality regulations which are weak and less enforceable.

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The Bonny Island axis of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, is one of the most industrialized belts of Nigeria. Among the significant industries in the locality is the Nigerian natural gas liquefying plants. The plant complex generates emissions which are propagated by meteorological agents. An atmospheric dispersion model was used to model the emissions using a computer programme. A statistical analysis of meteorological parameters was also carried out to determine the pollutants dispersion in the atmosphere. The analysis shows that wind speed is moderate and the predominance of southerly winds will move plumes toward human settlements in the north and northeastern directions from the plant. From the diffusion model, the compounds likely to be emitted in the largest quantity from the plant in the order of magnitude were CO 2 , NO x , CO, PM 10 and SO x. There is evidence that pollutants concentration would be highest for receptors at about 10 km from the emission sources even under unstable atmospheric conditions. The concentration of all the pollutants were well within the set ambient limits for the averaging period considered (i.e., 1 hour). It is recommended that the LNG plants continue to use natural gas as their major fuel as it will help in reducing pollutants like CO, PM 10 and SO x. Also, due to the large CO 2 gas emitted, afforestation and conservation projects should be initiated in Bonny Island so as to earn carbon credit.

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