Chemical Characteristics of Rain Water at an Urban Site of South Western Turkey

In this study, chemical composition of the rain water in Mugla was investigated from February to April 2002. Rain water samples were obtained from Mugla, a small city in south western Turkey. The Yatagan Power Plant is located 30 km northwest of Mugla city. The values of pH and the concentrations of major ions (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺) in the rainwater samples were analyzed. The pH varied from 4.5 to 7.7 with an average of 6.9 which was in alkaline range considering 5.6 as the neutral pH of cloud water with atmospheric CO₂ equilibrium. In the total 30 rain events, only two events were observed in acidic range (< 5.6) which occurred after continuous rains. The equivalent concentration of components followed the order: Ca²⁺ > SO₄ ²⁻ > NH₄ ⁺ > NO₃ ⁻ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > H⁺. The volume-weighted mean (VWM) of the measured ionic sum is 371.62 μeq/l. The ratio of between sum cations and sum anions (∑cations /∑ anions) is 1.52 μeq/l. The alkaline components (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) contribute 52%, NH₄ ⁺ 8%, whereas, the contribution from the acidic components is relatively small (40%). The low concentrations of H⁺ found in rainwater samples from Mugla suggest that an important portion of H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ have been neutralized by alkaline particles in the atmosphere. The dust-rich local and surrounding limestone environment might have caused the high concentration of Ca²⁺ in Mugla area. The relatively high concentration of NH₄ ⁺ observed at Mugla is suspected to be due to surrounding agricultural. The results obtained in this study are compared with those other studies conducted at various places in the world.     

Chemical characterization of precipitation at a coastal site in Trombay, Mumbai, India

Precipitation is the best scavenger for the particulates and dissolved gaseous pollutants present in the atmosphere. The chemical composition of precipitation is dominated by a number of in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging processes. The present study is aimed at analyzing the chemical composition of rainwater in the relatively less industrialized part of Mumbai. The pH of rainwater in this region ranges from 4.8 to 6.4. The percentage contributions of ions were calculated and the major contributing ions were calcium (28%), chloride (23%), sodium (18%), sulfate (14%), magnesium (11%), ammonium (4%), potassium (1%), and nitrate (1%). The correlation coefficient is highest for Na and Cl (r ²?=?0.99), giving a clear indication of contribution from sea salt. Sulfate and nitrate ions also show a very good correlation (r ²?=?0.90), which may be due to their coemission from fossil fuel combustion. Acidification caused by these ions is neutralized by Ca, Mg, and NH₄ ions. The neutralization effect due to these ions is validated by calculating the neutralization factor (NF). The NF values are in the order Ca > Mg > NH₄. The major source contributors for the ions in precipitation are sea salt (Na, Cl, and K) and fossil fuel combustion (SO₄ and NO₃). These assumptions are supported by the values of wet-only ratio, enrichment factor, and percent sea salt fraction.     

Monitoring of Fogwater Chemistry in the Gulf Coast Urban Industrial Corridor: Baton Rouge (Louisiana)

Seventeen fog events were sampled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during 2002–2004 as part of characterizing wet deposition by fogwater in the heavily industrialized corridor along the Louisiana Gulf Coast in the United States. These samples were analyzed for chemical characteristics such as pH, conductivity, total organic and inorganic carbon, total metals and the principal ion concentrations. The dominant ionic species in all samples were NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻. The pH of the fogwater sampled had a mean value of 6.7 with two cases of acidic pH of 4.7. Rainwater and fogwater pH were similar in this region. The acidity of fogwater was a result of NO₃⁻ but partly offset by high NH₄⁺. The measured gaseous SO₂ accounted for a small percentage of the observed sulfate concentration, indicating additional gas-to-particle conversion of SO₂ to sulfate in fogwater. The gaseous NO_x accounted for most of the dissolved nitrate and nitrite concentration in fogwater. The high chloride concentration was attributable to the degradation of chlorinated organics in the atmosphere. The metal composition was traced directly to soil-derived aerosol precursors in the air. The major metals observed in fogwater were Na, K, Ca, Fe, Al, Mg and Zn. Of these Na, K, Ca and Mg were predominant with mean concentrations > 100 μM. Al, Fe and Zn were present in the samples, at mean concentrations < 100 μM. Small concentrations of Mn (7.8 μM), Cu (2 μM), Pb (0.07 μM) and As (0.32 μM) were also observed in the fogwaters, and these were shown to result from particulates (PM_2.5) in the atmosphere. The contribution to both ions and metals from the marine sources in the Louisiana Gulf Coast was minimal. The concentrations of all principal ionic species and metals in fogwater were 1–2 orders of magnitude larger than in rainwater. Several linear alkane organic compounds were observed in the fogwater, representing the contributions from petroleum products at concentrations far exceeding their aqueous solubility. A pesticide (atrazine) was also observed in fogwater, representing the contribution from the agricultural activities nearby.     

重庆市黔江区降水地球化学特征

为了解生态旅游城市重庆市黔江区大气污染状况,2015年采集了91个降水样品,分析了降水中离子组分分布特征,运用富集因子法、海盐示踪法、相关性分析、主成分分析、聚类分析和HYSPLIT模型分析了降水化学组分来源。研究结果表明:黔江区域降水p H为5.66~6.96,加权平均值为6.34,降水离子组分浓度大小次序为SO_4~(2-)Ca~(2+)NH_4~+Mg~(2+)NO_3~-Cl~-Na~+K~+F~-,SO_4~(2-)、Ca~(2+)之和占总离子的63.95%;除Mg~(2+)和K+外,其余组分离子浓度与总离子浓度随季节变化(冬季春季秋季夏季)呈同样的变化特征。Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)和K+大部分均来源于陆源贡献,Na~+可能受到了海洋源的影响,SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-主要来源于人为输入源的贡献,Cl~-是受土壤物质和海洋的双重影响。轨迹水汽运输结果表明:黔江区域的降水主要受到西北气团、西南季风、西风环流和极地气候共同作用输入。降水中各个离子组分均表现出显著性或极显著性关系,主成分分析结果表明,第一主成分上研究的降水离子组分中都具有相对较大正载荷,第二组分pH、降水量和气温为一类。     

Occurrence of Acid Rain over Delhi

Precipitation samples were collected as wet-fall only andprimarily on event basis in Delhi during the monsoon period of1995. Concentrations of major anions (SO₄ ^2-,NO₃ ^- and Cl^-) andcations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺,Na⁺ and K⁺) were determined. The pH of the rain waterwas found to be more than 5.6, showing alkalinity during theearly phase of monsoon, but during the late phase of monsoon pHtendency was towards acidity due to lack of proper neutralizationof acidic ions. Neutralization is not only due to the localprocess but also due to the pre-monsoon Andhi which bringsSuspended Particulate Matter (SPM) containing Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ as well as the local emission ofNH₃. In the late monsoon the concentration of cations getsreduced because of heavy rainfall and relatively unfavourablecondition for their transport from the adjoining areas, whereasthe anion concentrations remain unchanged owing to theircontinuous emission.     

Factors and sources influencing ionic composition of atmospheric condensate during winter season in lower troposphere over Delhi, India

Atmospheric condensate (AC) and rainwater samples were collected during 2010–2011 winter season from Delhi and characterized for major cations and anions. The observed order of abundance of cations and anions in AC samples was NH ₄ ⁺ ?>?Ca²⁺?>?Na⁺?>?K⁺?>?Mg²⁺ and HCO ₃ ^? ?>?SO ₄ ^2? ?>?Cl^??>?NO ₂ ^? ?>?NO ₃ ^? ?>?F^?, respectively. All samples were alkaline in nature and Σ _cation/Σ _anion ratio was found to be close to one. NH ₄ ⁺ emissions followed by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were largely responsible for neutralization of acidity caused by high NO _x and SO₂ emissions from vehicles and thermal power plants in the region. Interestingly, AC samples show low nitrate content compared with its precursor nitrite, which is commonly reversed in case of rainwater. It could be due to (1) slow light-mediated oxidation of HONO; (2) larger emission of NO₂ and temperature inversion conditions entrapping them; and (3) formation and dissociation of ammonium nitrite, which seems to be possible as both carry close correlation in our data set. Principal component analysis indicated three factors (marine mixed with biomass burning, anthropogenic and terrestrial, and carbonates) for all ionic species. Significantly higher sulfate/nitrate ratio indicates greater anthropogenic contributions in AC samples compared with rainwater. Compared with rainwater, AC samples show higher abundance of all ionic species except SO₄, NO₃, and Ca suggesting inclusion of these ions by wash out process during rain events. Ionic composition and related variations in AC and rainwater samples indicate that two represent different processes in time and space coordinates. AC represents the near-surface interaction whereas rainwater chemistry is indicative of regional patterns. AC could be a suitable way to understand atmospheric water interactions with gas and solid particle species in the lower atmosphere.     

Five-year monitoring study of chemical characteristics of Wet atmospheric precipitation in the southern region of Jordan

Wet atmospheric samples were collected from different locations in the southern region of Jordan during a 5-year period (October 2006 to May 2011). All samples were analyzed for pH, EC, major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, NO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2?), and trace metals (Fe²⁺, Al³⁺,Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺). The highest ion concentrations were observed during the beginning of the rainfall events because large amounts of dust accumulated in the atmosphere during dry periods and were scavenged by rain. The rainwater in the study area is characterized by low salinity and neutral pH. The major ions found in rainwater followed the order of HCO₃?>?Cl^??>?SO₄ ^2? and Ca²⁺?>?Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > NH₄ ⁺ > K⁺. Trace metals were identified to be of anthropogenic origin resulting from cement and phosphate mining activities located within the investigated area and from heating activities during the cold period of the year (January to April). The wet precipitation chemistry was analyzed using factor component analysis for possible sources of the measured species. Factor analysis (principal component analysis) was used to assess the relationships between the concentrations of the studied ions and their sources. Factor 1 represents the contribution of ions from local anthropogenic activities, factor 2 represents the contribution of ions from natural sources, and factor 3 suggests biomass burning and anthropogenic source. Overall, the results revealed that rainwater chemistry is strongly influenced by local anthropogenic sources rather than natural and marine sources, which is in a good agreement with the results obtained by other studies conducted in similar sites around the world.     

A Statistical Assessment of Changes in Precipitation Chemistry at CAPMoN Sites, Canada

The objective of this study is to decide if chemical concentrations measured during 1988-1997in precipitation by the Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN) indicate changes in the annual patterns. The inference is based on SO₄, NO₃, Cl,NH₄, Na, Ca and K concentrations monitored daily with the rain water acidity pH. By pattern is understood the probability distribution of the annual sample at a particular location. Most of the annual data can be well described by means of a linear regression model with second order polynomial trend and autocorrelated noise. Statistical analysis based on the model shows luck of systematic significant year to year increases or declines of the concentrations.     

1997—2010年北京市大气降水离子特征变化趋势研究

依据北京市环境保护监测中心1997—2010年降水监测资料,分析北京地区降水中离子特征及变化趋势,阐明北京市降水污染现状及变化特征。结合北京市特有的气象条件、地形地貌和工业分布情况,分析污染物来源及污染变化趋势。研究表明:年度降水电导率呈现波动变化,降水污染严重程度依次为南部郊区>市区>北部背景点。北京地区大气降水中的主要阳离子成分是Ca²⁺和NH₄⁺,主要阴离子成分是SO₄^2-和NO₃^-。近年来[SO₄^2-]/[NO₃^-]比值逐步下降,污染类型由典型硫酸型发展为硫酸+硝酸混合型。阳离子[Ca²⁺]/[NH₄⁺]比值下降,碱性离子缓冲能力降低。9种离子各季节浓度变化趋势基本一致,由高到低依次是春季>秋季>冬季>夏季,这种季节变化特征与气象因素密切相关。相关性及聚类分析表明:NO₃^-与SO₄^2-存在很强相关性,说明其前体物SO₂和NO_X在大气中经常一同排放且进入降水途径相同;H⁺浓度不是由某个离子决定,是所有致酸离子和中和离子相互作用的结果,而NH₄⁺来源不同于其它离子,北京地区的氨存在其单独排放源。     

上海青浦地区大气降水的化学特征

利用上海青浦地区2003—2014年观测的大气降水监测资料,分析该区域12 a以来大气降水的酸化程度、化学组成特征,探讨降水中化学成分的不同来源及相对贡献。结果表明:降水pH年均值为4.43~6.33,酸雨频率为2.6%~86.8%,降水酸化程度大致经历了明显恶化和波动变化2个阶段。降水电导率年均值为1.77~4.01 m S/m,呈下降趋势。降水中各离子雨量加权平均当量浓度顺序为SO_4~(2-)NH_4~+Ca~(2+)NO_3~-Cl~-Na~+Mg~(2+)F-K~+,SO_4~(2-)、NH+4、Ca~(2+)和NO_3~-是降水中的主要离子,占离子总量的83.0%;降水类型由硫酸型向硫酸和硝酸混合型转变。降水离子中的二次组分SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-和NH_4~+绝大部分来源于人为源,Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)和K+主要来自于土壤源和人为源的贡献,Cl~-主要来自海洋源,同时人为源的影响也不可忽视。