TITLE:
When Air Quality Becomes Deleterious—A Case Study for Kigali, Rwanda
AUTHORS:
Sascha M. Henninger
KEYWORDS:
Urban Air Quality; Particulate Matter; Urban Climate; Mobile Measurements
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.8A,
July
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: Rwanda is a landlocked republic
in Equatorial Africa. The capital Kigali (1°57'S, 30°04'E) can be
mentioned as a typical African city due to its rising population and the rising
rate of motorization. Different pollutants produced e.g. by a highusage rate of
mopeds or open fireplaces burning wood for cooking and household chores could
be detected. Climatological parameters as well as air pollutants were measured
within the urban area. Additionally, highly frequented spatial and temporal
mobile measurements of particulate matter were taken during different dry
seasons regarding different conditions. These values indicated an urban heat
island, which tended to rise for the last four decades. A temporary phenomenon
for the air pollution indicators is visible during clear and calm weather
situations, e.g. the distinctive relief caused an accumulation within small
valleys called “Marais” in the night time. Unfortunately, these are the favourite
places for living and agriculture. So there is no infrequence in values of PM10 > 1.000 μg·m-3. The origin of the different
airborne particles was verified by using a scanning electron microscope and it
could be mentioned that most particles were from the combustion of biomass and
traffic.