SATELLITE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL COLUMN NITROGEN HOTSPOTS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR URBAN IN-SITU MONITORING NETWORKS

Abstract

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), a criteria pollutant, serves as a primary indicator of anthropogenic combustion and a precursor to respiratory health crisis In Nigeria. The scarcity of terrestrial air quality infrastructure in the country, creates a significant "data blind spot "for environmental regulators. This study utilizes NASA Giovanni (Geo-spatial Interactive Online Visualization and Analysis Infrastructure) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Area-Averaged Total Column of nitrogen dioxide NO₂ across the Nigerian landmass. The research establishes a 19 year old baseline for atmospheric NO₂  loading. The analysis reveals distinct spatial clusters of elevated  NO₂ over the Lagos-Ogun industrial axis, and the densely populated urban centers of Abuja. Temporal trends extracted via Giovanni time-series tools showed a consistent seasonal peak and troughs during the dry season and the rainy seasons respectively.