BIOMASS BURNING CONTRIBUTION TO AMBIENT AIR PARTICULATE LEVELS AT NAVRONGO, IN THE SAHEL SAVANNAH ZONE OF GHANA

摘要

This study identified the major sources of the ambient PM_(2.5) particulates at Navrongo in the Sahel Savannah zone in Ghana. The sources were qualitatively identified leading to the quantitative estimation of source contributions. The six sources identified were Two Stroke Engines(11.33%), Gasoline Emissions(14.19%), Soil Dust(24.28%), Diesel Emissions(13.79%), Biomass Burning(17.79%) and Resuspended Soil Dust(18.62%). The Harmattan dust could have accounted for the prevalence of crustal dust in the ambient air PM. Biomass is seen to be the second largest source contributor and is mostly from perennial Savannah bush fires.