Abstract
This study examined the spatial variations in air pollutant concentration around industrial facilities in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria. Air quality monitoring was conducted at five radial distances (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 meters) from major industrial emission points, three times daily for six months, in order to characterize dispersion patterns. Mean pollutant concentrations were highest closest to the emission sources and progressively reduced with distance. PM2.5 averaged 148.6 ± 21.3 µg/m³ at 200 meters compared to 63.2 ± 15.8 µg/m³ at 1000 meters. SO2 concentrations averaged 0.156 ± 0.04 ppm at 200 meters and 0.062 ± 0.01 ppm at 1000 meters, while NOₓ averaged 0.214 ± 0.03 ppm at 200 meters and 0.097 ± 0.02 ppm at 1000 meters. One way ANOVA was used in the analysis and the result confirmed significant spatial variation (H₁: μ near ≠ μ far), with one way ANOVA indicating strong distance based differences in PM2.5 (F = 42.83, p = 0.001], SO2 (F = 36.11, p = 0.003), and NOₓ (F = 44.92, p = 0.001). Post hoc results showed that concentrations within 200 and 400 meters were significantly higher than those at 800 and 1000 meters [p < 0.05]. The findings indicate that industrial emissions critically degrade ambient air quality and heighten respiratory and environmental health risks for host communities. Consequently, stricter emission enforcement and continuous environmental audits, installation of real time digital monitoring systems and integration of air quality thresholds were recommended for immediate action.