Abstract
Summary The deposition of dust particles is a common phenomenon during the dry season all over West Africa. In Northern Nigeria deposition rates of the Harmattan wind are coming up to 99 g/m 2 during a season. In the present study results of mineralogical and chemical analyses are discussed with respect to effects of Harmattan dust on agriculture. Mineralogical analysis indicates the dust to be mainly composed of quartz (80 wt%). In the clay fraction which is of considerable significance (10–30 wt%), illite and kaolinite are the most abundant minerals. Differences in clay mineralogy of various sampling sites are supposed to be due to inhomogenity of the source and/or spatial variations in dust deposition. Chemical analysis indicates the dust to be relatively rich in phosphorus. This finding explains the native tradition that a good Harmattan means a good harvest. Contents of most trace elements, organic Carbon, and Nitrogen are also higher in Harmattan dust as compared to soils of the Kano area.
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