THE USE OF GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES IN DETECTING CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSION LEVELS FROM POWER GENERATING PLANTS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, tasteless, odourless, non-irritating, flammable and poisonous gas emitted from incomplete combustion of carbonaceous material used as fuels for transportation, power generating plants, machinery e.t.c. Not much is known about the emission levels of CO from the power generating plants in the study area, thus, CO emission was investigated over parts of Minna Metropolis to detect the emission levels with a view to ascertain whether or not they are within WHO set safe limits. Geospatial techniques of GIS, GPS, MSA Altair Gas Alert detector were used to generate data and in the analysis of the results. The result indicates that emission from the Petrol and Diesel engines exceeded the WHO set safe limits for the selected locations ranging between 13.5ppm and 250.6 ppm. Conclusively, the failure of Nigeria's electricity power supply sector is responsible for the increase and dependence on fossil fuel powered generators and thus accentuating the CO emission levels in the study area. Recommendations include the use of renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind to reduce dependence on fuel powered generators and continuous monitoring of the air quality to control and safeguard against secondary effects of CO emissions.