Spatial-temporal variations in carbon dioxide levels in Ibadan, Nigeria

Growing evidence suggests how global background levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are increasing and this impacts environmental quality and human and ecological health. Data from less developed countries are sparse. We determined spatial and temporal variations in concentrations of CO2 in selected locations in Ibadan, Nigeria with identifiable prominent outdoor sources. Activity driven areas in north and south-west areas were identified and marked with a global positioning system. Waste management practices and activities generating CO2 were documented and described using a technician observation checklist. CO2 levels were measured using a portable TELAIRE 7001 attached to HOBO U12 data loggers across seasons. Mean CO2 levels were compared over seasons, i.e. rainy season months and the dry season months. While CO2 levels recorded outdoors in study areas were comparable to available international data, routine monitoring is recommended to further characterize concurrent pollutants in fossil fuel combustion emissions with known deleterious health effects.