Elemental Contamination of Rainwater by Airborne Dust in Tamale Township Area of the Northern Region of Ghana

Rainwater samples were collected from Tamale town in the 1997 and 1998 rainy seasons. During this period road construction in the Tamale area resulted in the generation of suspended dust in the atmosphere. Analysis of the samples for major ions showed elevated levels of Cl^–. Ion ratios with Cl^– (Na⁺/Cl^–, K⁺/Cl^–, Ca²⁺/Cl^–/Cl^– Mg²⁺/Cl^– and SO₄ ^2–/Cl^–) in rainwater samples were higher than the corresponding ratios in seawater. Some samples also showed elevated concentrations of Fe, Mn, Al and Zn, all of which except Zn showed a correlation with the dry periods between rainfall events. Consequently, it was concluded that dust generated from lateritic soils was probably the major cause of the increase in concentration of these metals. Aluminium and Fe concentrations were observed to be higher than the World Health Organization drinking water guide limits.