Trace element contamination of rain water in the semi‐arid region of Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Atmospheric precipitation samples collected by a network of eight stations throughout the Kano metropolis were analysed for lead, chromium, copper, cadmium, zinc and nickel by atomic absorption. Values from all the stations averaged over approximately five months each year between 1993 and 1996 indicate human activity, the high temperatures reached by soils and the strong diurnal thermic turbulence resulting from these, as the primary source of these metals in atmospheric precipitation. The concentrations of lead, chromium and copper correlated with the industrial activities of the metropolis. Maximum concentrations of lead, copper, chromium and nickel were above 1.1μg/litre while cadmium and zinc were below the 0.11μg/litre.

Citation

Ayodele, J.T. and Abubakar, M.B. (1998), "Trace element contamination of rain water in the semi‐arid region of Kano, Nigeria", Environmental Management and Health, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 176-181. https://doi.org/10.1108/09566169810229006