TITLE:
Distribution of Atmospheric Pollution in Southern Benin
AUTHORS:
Dossou-Gbete Sèdami Codjo Joël, Kpadonou Dominique, Gbaguidi An Magloire, Elegbede Vitalique, Saizonou Kpèssou Virtus Mickael, Youssao Abdou Karim Alassane, Dovonon Firmin Léonce, Vodounnon Armand
KEYWORDS:
Spatial Distribution, Atmospheric Pollutants, Southern Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Air Pollution,
Vol.13 No.1,
March
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study focuses on air quality in southern Benin in order to show
public authorities what the Beninese populations are exposed to for efficient
decision-making. Two sampling campaigns were carried out, one in the wet period
and the other in the dry season. The measurements were taken using a monitor
called an “Air Quality Monitor”. For data processing, the multiple comparison
methods of Dun (1961) and the Wilcoxon test were used. To maintain legitimacy,
all spatial data were included in the official cartographic repository of
Benin: WGS 1984, Transverse Mercator Universe Projection (UTM), Zone 31 North.
The Moran statistic was used to measure the levels of spatial autocorrelation
of the variables studied and to test the significance. In order to locate the
spatial subsets, the local spatial association indices of Anselin Local Moran
and Getis-Ord, Gi* were used. In terms of results, on the 13 monitoring sites
and the 8 parameters chosen to determine air quality, we do not note any
significant inter-seasonal difference. Of the eight parameters, only three
parameters present spatial autocorrelation leading to predictions of ambient
air quality over the entire study area based on the distance separating the
points, namely, PM2.5, PM10 and ambient air quality index
(AQI). The localities affected by atmospheric pollution in South Benin are
located in the south-western part of Benin, headed by Cotonou, which is heavily
polluted by CO2, TCOV, PM10 and PM2.5.