Spatio-Temporal Influence of flare stack Proximity on the Spread of air Pollutants in the Braced States

The study examined the spatio-temporal influence of flare stack proximity on air pollutant dispersion in the BRACED states of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Field data were collected from six states with intensive oil and gas activities using stratified purposive sampling. Measurements of CO₂, SO₂, and NO₂ were taken at distances of 250 meters, 500 meters, 750 meters, and 1 kilometre from flare stacks, across wet and dry seasons. Results indicated that pollutant concentrations were highest at 250 meters, with CO₂ peaking at 38.7 ± 5.2 ppm, SO₂ at 31.4 ± 4.8 ppm, and NO₂ at 29.9 ± 3.7 ppm, confirming the distance decay model. Concentrations declined significantly with distance, reaching their lowest at 1 kilometre due to atmospheric dilution. Seasonal analysis revealed elevated emissions during the wet season, particularly in September, with higher morning concentrations attributed to thermal inversions and stable atmospheric conditions. MANOVA results showed significant effects of proximity and location on emissions (F = 47.998, p < 0.001), while Tukey post-hoc tests revealed spatial disparities, with Bayelsa and Rivers states recording consistently higher pollutant levels. CO₂ remained dominant at longer distances due to its chemical stability. The study underscores the spatial non-uniformity of air pollution, the significance of climatic variation, and pollutant-specific dispersion dynamics. These findings support the need for buffer zones of at least 750 meters around flare stacks, spatio-temporal air quality monitoring, and gas-specific mitigation strategies to reduce public health risks in oil-producing communities.