Biological monitoring of atmospheric trace metal deposition in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The epiphytic moss Polytrichum juniperinum and the tree bark of Azardirachta indica were used to determine the atmospheric Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn levels in the North-East region of Nigeria. A good correlation exists between levels in the moss and the tree barks. The Pb, Zn and Fe levels in both sample types were higher than other metals in most sites. There was no significant difference in the levels of Cd, Cu, Ni and Mn recorded for inhabited and forest sites. The area derives its atmospheric metal contamination from vehicular, urban, industrial and agricultural sources.