Title: Driving factors of atmospheric ammonia in tropical West Africa: the role of land use, waste management, and meteorology in Lagos and Ibadan

Authors: Thompson Faraday Ediagbonya; Solomon Ayooluwa Akanbi; Titilayo Olabimpe Oladitan; Michael Rotimi Olojugba; Joseph Ifeanyi Uche; Ebenezer Ayokunle OLateju

Addresses: Department of Chemical Sciences, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, 350113, Nigeria; Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventist of Kigali, 6392, Rwanda ' Department of Chemical Sciences, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, 350113, Nigeria ' Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, 350113, Nigeria ' Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, 350113, Nigeria ' Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, 321103, Nigeria ' Department of Chemical Sciences, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, 350113, Nigeria

Abstract: Atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) contributes to air pollution, ecosystem degradation and climate change, yet its dynamics in tropical West Africa remain poorly understood. This study examined the drivers of atmospheric NH₃ in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria, focusing on land use, waste management and meteorological influences. Field measurements across residential, agricultural, airport and dumpsite locations identified dumpsites (14.5-16.3 ppm) and farmlands (11.00-12.68 ppm) as major emission hotspots. Multivariate analysis showed land use as the dominant factor, while temperature and humidity exerted city-specific effects. Higher residential NH₃ levels in Ibadan reflected poorer waste management practices compared to Lagos. Elevated concentrations at airport sites likely resulted from combined influences of aviation activities, nearby roads, farms and informal settlements rather than aircraft operations alone. Near-source concentrations exceeded typical ambient levels by several orders of magnitude, emphasising the need for improved waste management, precision agriculture and expanded emission inventories incorporating non-traditional hotspots.

Keywords: ammonia; land use; waste management; meteorology; tropical cities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2025.154808

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2025 Vol.11 No.3, pp.234 - 256

Received: 21 Nov 2025
Accepted: 02 Mar 2026
Published online: 14 Jul 2026 *

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