Atmospheric dispersion modelling of black carbon and PM₂.₅ emissions from an iron and steel plant in Ilorin, Nigeria
4 affiliations
- 1Chemical Engineering Department, Landmark University
- 2Chemical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology
- 3Chemical Engineering Department, Adeleke University
- 4Chemical Engineering Department, Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
The iron and steel sector is one of the most aerosol-intensive branches of heavy manufacturing. In Nigeria, where environmental monitoring infrastructure remains sparse and industrial compliance enforcement is still developing, facilities such as the steel production plant in Ilorin Kwara State discharge significant quantities of particulate matter and black carbon emissions with limited regulatory scrutiny. Results for eight averaging periods (1-hr, 8-hr, 24-hr, and annual for both pollutants) are presented as georeferenced AERMOD-predicted concentration isopleths over the Ilorin airshed. These are modelled estimates derived from the AERMOD regulatory dispersion model and are not in-situ measurements. The 1-hour average peak value of PM₂.₅ and BC was 2,945 µg m⁻³ and 815 µg m⁻³, respectively, in the near-source area covering Oko Erin, Ogbondoroko, and Ilorin. The annual average PM₂.₅ concentration was 100 µg m⁻³ while that of BC was 31 µg m⁻³ in the Oke Oyi – Agbeyangi corridor. All the averaging period values of the contaminants are above the threshold levels for WHO Air Quality Guidelines (2021), World Bank EHS guidelines, FMEnv standard, and Nigerian NAAQS.
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BibTeX
@article{adewale2026atmospheric,
title = {{Atmospheric dispersion modelling of black carbon and PM₂.₅ emissions from an iron and steel plant in Ilorin, Nigeria}},
author = {Abiodun John Adewale and Adefunke Rofiat Lawal and Daniel Olawale Oke and Jacob Ademola Sonibare and Emmanuel Oluwasanmi Oyeleke and Monsurudeen Olaide Lawal and Thomas Abraham},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-64143-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-64143-1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Atmospheric dispersion modelling of black carbon and PM₂.₅ emissions from an iron and steel plant in Ilorin, Nigeria
AU - Abiodun John Adewale
AU - Adefunke Rofiat Lawal
AU - Daniel Olawale Oke
AU - Jacob Ademola Sonibare
AU - Emmanuel Oluwasanmi Oyeleke
AU - Monsurudeen Olaide Lawal
AU - Thomas Abraham
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-64143-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-64143-1
AB - The iron and steel sector is one of the most aerosol-intensive branches of heavy manufacturing. In Nigeria, where environmental monitoring infrastructure remains sparse and industrial compliance enforcement is still developing, facilities such as the steel production plant in Ilorin Kwara State discharge significant quantities of particulate matter and black carbon emissions with limited regulatory scrutiny. Results for eight averaging periods (1-hr, 8-hr, 24-hr, and annual for both pollutants) are presented as georeferenced AERMOD-predicted concentration isopleths over the Ilorin airshed. These are modelled estimates derived from the AERMOD regulatory dispersion model and are not in-situ measurements. The 1-hour average peak value of PM₂.₅ and BC was 2,945 µg m⁻³ and 815 µg m⁻³, respectively, in the near-source area covering Oko Erin, Ogbondoroko, and Ilorin. The annual average PM₂.₅ concentration was 100 µg m⁻³ while that of BC was 31 µg m⁻³ in the Oke Oyi – Agbeyangi corridor. All the averaging period values of the contaminants are above the threshold levels for WHO Air Quality Guidelines (2021), World Bank EHS guidelines, FMEnv standard, and Nigerian NAAQS.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -