HEAVY METALS IN AIR BORNE HARMATTAN IN KANO-NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Atmospheric Harmattan dust precipitation samples collected from a network of stations throughout the Kano metropolis were analysed for copper, manganese, nickel and zinc by atomic absorption spectrometry.  Values from all the stations averaged over approximately six months indicate human activity while the strong diurnal thermal turbulence was identified as the primary source of these metals in the precipitation. The concentrations of manganese and zinc correlated with the industrial activities of the metropolis. Maximum concentrations of Mn and Zn were > 80 µg g^-1 while Cu and Ni were < 10 µg g^-1.