Gayéri Air Quality Index (AQI)

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Gayéri, situated in the Est Region of Burkina Faso at coordinates 12.6500°N, 0.5000°E, is a relatively small urban centre with a population of approximately 15,170. The city occupies a gently undulating plain, characteristic of the broader Sahelian landscape. Its elevation is modest, contributing to limited natural dispersion of pollutants. Gayéri’s location is firmly within the Sudanese savanna belt, a transition zone between the Sahara Desert and the wetter equatorial regions. The surrounding landscape is predominantly agricultural, with millet, sorghum, and maize being key crops. This agricultural activity, while vital to the local economy, contributes to particulate matter pollution through land preparation, harvesting, and the burning of residual biomass. The city’s position isn’t near major bodies of water, limiting evaporative cooling and potentially exacerbating dust suspension. There are no significant industrial belts immediately adjacent to Gayéri, however, regional transport routes passing through the area contribute to vehicular emissions. The urban-rural gradient is relatively sharp; the city is a concentrated point within a largely rural expanse, meaning any localised pollution sources have a limited area for dilution. The prevailing winds, influenced by the Harmattan and monsoon systems, play a crucial role in pollutant transport and dispersion, though often carrying dust from further afield.

Gayéri experiences a distinct wet and dry season, heavily influencing its air quality. The dry season, roughly from November to May, is characterised by consistently high temperatures and low humidity. This period sees a peak in particulate matter pollution, driven by agricultural burning for land preparation and dust resuspension from unpaved roads. The Harmattan wind, a dry and dusty trade wind, further exacerbates these conditions, bringing Saharan dust southward. January to March are typically the months with the poorest air quality, posing risks to those with respiratory conditions. The onset of the wet season in June brings a temporary improvement. Rainfall suppresses dust and washes pollutants from the atmosphere. However, increased humidity can also promote the formation of mould spores, impacting air quality for sensitive individuals. August and September, the peak of the rainy season, generally offer the best air quality. As the dry season returns, conditions deteriorate again. Temperature inversions, common during cooler nights, can trap pollutants near ground level, particularly in October and November. Sensitive groups – children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory illnesses – should limit strenuous outdoor activity during the dry season and monitor their health closely.