V.O. Shaibu^1,, V.E. Weli¹

Fine particulate matter PM_2.5 has attracted much attention both scientific and public, due to its effects on human health as meteorological conditions serves as one of the factors that have important effect on PM_2.5 mass concentration. The study examined the relationship between certain meteorological elements and PM_2.5 concentration in selected cities of the Niger delta region of Nigeria. Meteorological data were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. PM_2.5 data that was used for this study was Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), it was acquired from remotely sensed satellite data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA¡¯s) earth observing system data and information system, PM_2.5 concentration data and meteorological monthly data were obtained from 2001 to 2015 and multiple regression analysis was employed to test the relationship between PM_2.5 concentration and the meteorological elements (Temperature, Rainfall, Relative Humidity and Wind Speed). The correlation analysis result showed that temperature had a positive correlation, rainfall had a negative correlation and wind speed also had a positive but low correlation. This has an effect on PM_2.5 concentration because as temperature increases and rainfall decreases with low wind speed, PM_2.5 concentration increases and this can lead to adverse health effects on human beings.

Niger delta, climate variability, PM_2.5, multiple regression