Geographic Thought, Spatial Interactions, & Manifestations for Local, Regional and National Development: 1 ST South-South Zonal Association of Nigerian Geographers Conference, 2023 SSANG UNIPORT 2023 82 GEOSPATIAL VISUALIZATION OF SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER (SPM 2.5 ) FOOTPRINTS ACROSS DOMINANT LANDUSES IN NIGERIA Josiah Nwabueze Obiefuna 1 , Uttah Chinasa 2 1 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Email: JoeObiefuna@Unical.edu.ng ; JoeObiefuna@GMail.com 2 Department of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. E-mail: nasauttah@yahoo.com Abstract This study examined Suspended Particulate Matter, SPM 2.5 footprints in Nigeria`s metropolitan areas using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) infrastructure. For the purpose of illustration, the dynamic and sprawling city of Calabar metropolis, comprising Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas, with diverse landuses was used. Data on emission level of SPM 2.5 were sourced for within the period of 6 months in both dry and wet seasons. The data logger used was the Crowcon Gasman. Point coordinates were collected using Garmin GPSMap 60CSx device. Interpolation algorithm in (GIS) was employed to generate the composite map showing SPM 2.5 footprint for the metropolis. Relevant and related analytical techniques were also applied. Non-parametric statistics such as tables, graphs, charts, maps and standard deviation were also used to present the data in line with the study objectives. From findings, F-ratio for both season and land use is significant for all the tested parameters (F-ratio for season is F(1,3224)= 511.669, at p<0.05, while for land use, F(3,3224)=299.015, at p<0.05). The interaction between seasons and land use (season * land use) for all the parameters, F(3, 3224) = 211.488, P<0.05 is also significant. SPM 2.5 variability in Calabar Metropolis was found to be significant in relation to either land use types or season of the year. It was therefore recommended that there should be political will towards the protection of the residential neighbourhoods and domiciliary enclaves to avoid encroachment by incompatible uses with undesired negative consequences such as pollution. Key Words: Footprints, Geospatial, Land uses, Pollution, Particulate Matter, Visualization Introduction Suspended particulate matters (SPM 2.5 , SPM 10 )) is one of the major contaminants of air in urban areas worldwide. In most West African cities such as Lagos, Nigeria, as well as other major cities of the advanced world, outdoor ambient air pollution has been identified as a major threat to human health [1-7]. Poor ambient air quality is capable of negatively altering the average life span of individuals, communities or even nations that are constantly being exposed. According to the global estimates by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a lot of persons amounting to over one billion breathe unhealthy air [8] Finally, since economic activities constitute or result to pollution of varying degree, it is pertinent that various land uses in Nigeria, which represent diverse economic activities be scrutinized for various pollutants to ensure that they conform to acceptable standards, otherwise, the people and property would be endangered. This research geospatially examined the relationship between urban land uses and ambient air quality footprints in Nigeria urban centres with special emphasis on Calabar Metropolis. Finally, the research was conducted in the year 2020. SPM 2.5 is a silent killer due to its particle size. It causes cancer, irritation and other respiratory related issues to humans. According to [9] PM2.5 is said to be a causal agent for cancer, heart or respiratory disease. Despite this, there appears to be unrelenting sporadic localization and distribution of various forms of economic activities and other informal enterprises that generate high volume of SPM in Calabar Metropolis. All these ultimately give rise to dust effluents which must be measured, mapped and planned for in order to remediation to be possible. Lack of visually projected information with regards to SPM would hamper certain developmental strides and decisions. For example, air quality status taken over a period of time and analyzed graphically would give information on the level of visibility and effluents that are attainable at certain locations and at given time periods [10]. This information would be of immense benefit during transportation planning. The aim of this research was to geospatially assess and visualize the level of particulate matter Footprints in Calabar, Nigeria, in relation to existing dominant landuse elements. The objectives are to: 1. To generate spatial and temporal based footprint map depicting suspended particulates distribution in the region, using the GIS infrastructure. Methodology The study Area The study area is Calabar Metropolis, which is the capital city of Cross River State (FIG.1). Calabar is located between longitudes 8° 18' and 8 0 25" East of the Greenwich meridian and latitudes 4°55' and 5 0 10’ North of the Equator. It is sandwiched between the Great Kwa River to the East and the Calabar River to the west. Calabar Metropolis, comprising of Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas has total land area of 1480sqkms. Calabar is bounded to the North by Odukpani Local Government Area, to the East by Akpabuyo Local Government Area. Types and Sources of data The study relied on primary data on particulate distribution across various landuses as well as data on its seasonality variation in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria. Data were expressed in parts per million (ppm) scale. Data were acquired using several automated data loggers named Crowcon Gasman and a Garmin GPSMap. Dataset included logged figures on the level of pollutants occasioned by suspended particulate matter from various locations within identified landuses as well as the GPS coordinates for the locations.