Fine particulate matter and eight heavy metals (Ni, Co, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn) concentrations were determined in air samples collected from three industrial sites in northern Nigeria using a Handheld Portable Particle Counter for PM 2.5 and PM 10 with model number CW-HAT 200 and a High Volume Respirable Dust Sampler (APM 460 NL) in conjunction with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Serial No. AA0904M046) Flame Test. The results of the fine particulates ranged from 11.0 -46.0 µg•m −3 for PM 2.5 and 22.0 -88 µg•m −3 for PM 10 across all the industrial sites investigated. Most of these results exceeded the WHO permissible levels of 25.0 µg•m −3 and 50.0 µg•m −3 for PM 2.5 and PM 10 and thus pose threats to people living and working close to these sites. The concentration of the heavy metals studied were found to be within WHO/EU set standards except for the concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd that exceeded the set standard by WHO/EU with toxicity potential >1 in the Terytex industry, Kano and Grand Cereals, Jos. Strong positive correlations were found between the fine particulates concentrations and heavy metals in all the studied sites suggesting that common anthropogenic sources contributed to the fine particulates and heavy metals recorded from the industrial areas. We suggested the installation of electrostatic precipitators to combat fine particulates emission from the stack and also recommended a proper legislative framework by the government to regulate and control industrial fugitive emissions to protect human health.

Air pollution in Jos, Nigeria, is concerning due to a variety of anthropogenic sources which expose residents to possible respiratory health risks. Good emission source data and an understanding of all elements connected to air pollution is the foundation for successful pollution abatement. The study established a model for crosswind-integrated concentrations by solving the advection-diffusion equation using the reducible and irreducible techniques and utilizes it to forecast the concentration of PMX pollutants released from a stack in Jos, Nigeria. Data was collected from the Grand Cereals environment using a Handheld Portable Particle Counter for PMx with model number CW-HAT 200 for a year. High values of fine particulates recorded in the study are worrisome because they represent a threat to human health. Moreover, the monitored and modeled results evidenced a higher risk for human health in specific points, particularly areas less than 100m away from the stack which is seen as deriving from the stack emissions. Electrostatic precipitators or mist collectors can be installed to reduce the PMX emissions and its impact on human health. We proposed that the boiler stack be replaced with a taller one and that people living and working near the industry wear a nasal mask to mitigate inhaling dangers. The model performs better in estimating PM2.5 concentrations under unstable conditions and is recommended for PM2.5 monitoring.

Aims: This paper seeks to analyse the characteristics of monthly rainfall pattern in Katsina City in a view to unveiling the trends and describing its dynamics so that adequate recommendations can be made for its modelling. Study Design: The analysis involves a complete statistical, trend, spectral and nonlinear analysis of the monthly rainfall time series recorded in Katsina. Place and Duration of Study: Location: Katsina City, Katsina State, Nigeria from 1990 to 2015; a period of 26 years. Methodology: Secondary data of daily rainfall recorded in Katsina city from 1990 to 2015 was collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and monthly averages were taken to obtain the monthly rainfall data. The data was then subjected to statistical, trend, spectral and nonlinear analysis techniques to reveal the behavioural patterns in the rainfall and also to reveal its underlying dynamics for its future modelling and prediction. Results: The outcome of this analysis indicates that the monthly rainfall in Katsina exhibits an increasing trend with high variance and right-skewed distribution requiring a maximum of 6 independent variables to model its dynamics. The correlation exponent plot reached a saturation value of 5.892 confirming that the monthly rainfall in Katsina over the last 26 years exhibits low dimensional chaotic behavior while the largest Lyapunov exponent for the monthly rainfall time series in Katsina was also computed and found to be positive, having a value of 0.006055/month confirming the presence of deterministic chaos dynamics and is predictable for the next 165 months. Conclusion: Since from the findings of this work it is confirmed that the rainfall in Katsina exhibits chaotic behavior with an increasing trend, it is recommended that more drainages and dams be built to provide steady supply of water for agricultural and domestic purposes as well as curtail the menace of flooding and drought which may occur as a result of global warming and climate change.