Confusion in Port Harcourt as Strange Black Carbon Emission Cause Air Pollution

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Confusion gripped residents of Port Harcourt,  the Rivers State capital because of strange emission of black carbon that are being emitted into the atmosphere. Residents and car owners noticed carbon deposited on
the roof of their cars,houses as well as turning green pigmentation of leaves and flowers into black colour .

Black powdery deposits  been  noticed on pavements and balconies that stained the sole of our feet. Port harcourt residents lamenting.

The Rivers State government in a statement signed by the commissioner for environment; Prof. Roseline Konya  confirmed this.

THEY ARE YET TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THIS BLACK CARBON.

As an Environmentalist I would like to share my knowledge with you, especially those of us who hardly know what black carbon is. 

Black carbon is the sooty black material emitted from gas and diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, and other sources that burn fossil fuel. It comprises a significant portion of particulate matter or PM, which is an air pollutant. The main sources of black carbon include residential and commercial combustion and transport, which accounted for 80% of anthropogenic emissions in 2005 (UNEP & WMO, 2011). Other important sources include industrial processes and the burning of agricultural waste. There are also small sources such as fossil fuel extraction, large scale combustion (including power plants and industrial boilers) and open burning of garbage. All of these  and many more happen in Port harcourt and Niger Delta at large.

 Port-Harcourt is a swift growing city especially in population and industrialization processes which has aided the growth of increased vehicles and continuous high rate of emission. This and its effects  have become an increasing source of concern to the inhabitants. Unfortunately, these effects posed on the environment, socio-economic and health has not been addressed.

A research conducted in Port Harcourt by Emecho Ted in 2015 revealed that road transportation is a major source of  air pollution fused with the high  rate of industrial activities (oil and as exploration)   "High traffic congestion in some locations in port harcourt is as a result of the inadequate management pattern as well as the commercial activities along road transport routes causing high concentration of atmospheric pollutants. It is really sad to report road marshals abandoning their duty post, collecting bribe from taxi drivers, allowing the misuse of road space. Even road users drive on wrong lanes and most times abandon their vehicles at the middle of the road struggling for passengers. Also, it is now a situation where the busy routes are turned in to market places, causing unnecessary traffic congestion. These factors obstruct the free flow of vehicles as it shows a sign of lawlessness. what about the constant gas flaring? . Even though people fail to realize the health implication of road  and industrial air pollution, it is worthy to note that, vehicular pollution cannot be avoided as the emissions occur at the near ground level where humans breathe. It will continue to remain a threat to human health which is expected to be on the increase as vehicle ownership level increases. Although, various governments have attempted to improve on air quality but these problems of vehicular emissions and the associated health problem still persist because of ignorance and imprudence.

New data also shows that kerosene lamps may be a significant source of black carbon (Jacobson A. et al. 2013). Important regional variations in emissions are expected in the coming decades, with decreases of up to half in North America and Europe due to mitigation measures in the transport sector and significant increases in Asia and Africa.

Essentially, apart from transportation, other major source of air pollution in the city, include industries, dumpsites, open incinerators and power generators.  Research in Port harcourt reveals that the quantity of carbon dioxide in the environment presently is not only due to automobile emissions. It is affected by other factors such as electricity consumption, manufacturing and construction industries, petroleum refining as well as other chemical-based industries, and even residential areas. But the bulk of the entire quantity is contributed by the transportation sector.

The rising digits of industries and automobile are steadily causing toxic gases and other substances to concentrate in the environment. Presently, air pollution is accountable for major health effect that as the years go by, the health of uncountable people are endangered.

The way forward is  to Rethink environmental policies and mitigation strategies, most especially in a green perspective .  Reduce our carbon foot print, reuse, recycle and recover  usable materials,  , Redirect our investments, Redesign our life styles, how we make things, Replace expired materials, Reeducate ourselves, Research Air, Reprimand defaulters and Remodify our attitudes .