Abstract: We measured the atmospheric depositions of total particulates and
seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) at twentytwo urban and
sub-urban locations of Varanasi, a holy city of India. Heavy metals in bulk
deposits were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Atmospheric
depositions of Zn remained highest (31.65 to 636.15 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}) followed by Mn
(8.1 to 379.5 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}), Pb (5.0 to 140 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}),
Cu (4.5 to 122.7 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}), Ni (2.0 to 58.1 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}),
Cr (5 to 55 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}) and Cd remained
the lowest (0.45 to 17.7 g ha^{-1}y^{-1}). The deposition of heavy metals remained
highest during winter and lowest during rainy season. Atmospheric emissions
coupled with wind actions appeared to have raised atmospheric loadings of heavy
metals even in areas far away from source oriented sites. Since the city of
Varanasi is flanked by a vast stretch of holy river Ganga at one side and
agricultural lands at other sides, our data have relevance establishing
air-soil-water-vegetable continuum of heavy metals from a human health
perspective.
Keywords: Atmospheric deposition, heavy metal, tropical city, Ganges, Varanasi
