The chemical composition of African haze

The LAMMA technique (Laser Microprobe Mass Analyzer) is a valuable and powerful technique for the analysis and characterization of particulate air pollutants. At seven sites in Zimbabwe, Africa, dust particles were collected and 200 single particles were analyzed for each sampling point. The main chemical species present in the particles are Na+, K+, Cl, NO3+ and SO4(2-). Beside these, soot particles, containing carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were found. Biomass burning was identified as the major source of the dust particles what is in accordance with the assumed air quality for our sampling period.