In this work, the effects of air pollution, such as depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer (which in turn leads to increase in the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth’s surface), increase in global temperature, and comparison of radiation in a polluted and non-polluted areas, are studied. Basically, the effect of air pollution can be remedied by making a substitution of ozone layer depleters like chlorofluorocarbon with hydrochlorofluorocarbon, carbon dioxide and water for fire extinguishing and others. The city of Port Harcourt has the highest sunburn unit of 14.1 mL in the month of March, and the cities of Ikeja and Calabar have their highest sunburn units of 14.5 mL in the month of December. These figures indicate the period of highest stratospheric ozone layer depletion. Hence, it is observed that air pollution can be hazardous, but if the rate of pollution is reduced drastically, the ozone layer can be restored.

Manipulation of the chemical environment by humans may be said to have begun with the domestication of fire. Environmental pollution can come in different forms, thus making it difficult to tackle the pollution effectively. The whole earth’s surface is affected by this trend and consequently a lasting solution has to be worked out.

Several human activities may reduce the stratospheric ozone layer which acts like a giant sunshade protecting plants and animals from much of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Overexposure to much ultraviolet radiation may cause skin cancer, eye cataracts, and damage to the immune system in animals. A 10% depletion of the ozone layer means a 20% more radiation reaching the earth’s surface, if all other factors like cloud, haze and aerosols remain constant (Bower, 1986). Although air pollution is mainly associated with built-up areas, its significance extends far beyond that of urban climates. The nature, distribution and intensity of atmospheric contamination have in some circumstances reached the point of global implications (Stern, 1990).

Atmospheric pollutants can exist in the form of particles, liquid droplets and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); when they are released into the atmosphere, they rise slowly taking up to seven years to reach the stratosphere. But once they are there, under the influence of sun’s ultraviolet light, chlorine is released and it reacts with the ozone, with the depletion of the ozone layer as a consequence. This allows harmful solar ultraviolet radiation to pass through to the earth’s surface. CFCs and halons are very persistent ozone depleting substances, remaining active in the atmosphere for up to 50 years (Kemp, 2000).

Environmental Sciences Journal, SWAT Hydrological Model, Upper Bernam River Basin, Malaysia, Soil and Water Assessment Tool, Geographic Information System, Water Resources, Remote Sensing Technology, Agricultural Research Service, Universal Soil Loss Equation, GIS Database, Landsat Thematic Mapper Imageries, Meteorological Data, Government Departments.