桂林市酸雨污染特征及防治对策研究

为促进桂林市酸雨污染防控,利用2013—2017年桂林市3个监测站点采集的共1 147个降雨样品,分析了降雨pH、电导率和水溶性离子成分,结合气态污染物的变化特征和气象因素影响分析,探讨了桂林市酸雨污染成因,并提出了桂林市酸雨污染防治对策建议.结果表明:①2013—2017年桂林市降雨的pH年均值范围为4.85~5.23.酸雨频率范围为42.5%~74.9%,2017年酸雨频率达74.9%.虽然近年来桂林市环境空气质量明显改善,但是酸雨污染却没有明显减轻,反而在2015年后出现恶化.降雨的离子组成中,SO₄2-和NO₃-是主要的阴离子成分,分别占总离子当量浓度的28.19%和10.82%;Ca2+和NH₄+是主要的阳离子成分,分别占总离子当量浓度的23.46%和17.64%.酸中和效应分析显示,Ca2+和NH₄+为降雨中主要的中和物质.②降雨中碱性离子当量浓度的降幅比酸性离子当量浓度的降幅大,这是导致桂林市近年酸雨恶化的重要因素;此外,来自西部和东南部方向的气流对应了较高的降雨酸度和总离子当量浓度,因此污染物的远距离传输对降雨酸度和离子当量浓度也有一定影响.研究显示,桂林市SO₂和NO_x排放的持续管控将有利于酸雨污染防治,但桂林市目前实施的削减大气粗颗粒物和NH₃排放的大气污染控制策略对于降雨酸度的影响还需要开展进一步评估.      

桂林市酸雨变化特征及来源分析

对桂林市2008~2011年共396个降水样品p H值统计表明,桂林市酸雨具有明显的季节性差异,夏季酸雨污染程度较低,冬春两季最为严重;对其中44个降水样品做离子分析,通过计算中和因子(NF)分析2008年酸雨程度低主要是NH_4~+和Ca~(2+)等碱性离子中和所致,相对酸度FA达到0.006,表明有99.4%酸性离子被中和;通过富集因子(EF)分析降水中主要离子来源,CI~-和Na~+主要为海洋来源,Ca~(2+)主要为地壳来源,K~+、SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-主要为人为来源;最后通过Hysplit后向轨迹模拟分季节对2010年强酸雨水汽来源进行追踪,聚类,分析桂林市酸雨受区域输送的影响,确定致酸物质的3个主要源地:1东北向的江西、安徽、湖南、湖北等省份的工业集中、人口密集地区,来源于这些地区的气团春季占到19%,夏季26%,秋季19%,冬季由于盛行东北风,占到36%;2东南方向的广东省尤其珠三角地区,来源于西太平洋的气流经过此地到达桂林,春季占到19%,秋季占到33%,冬季占到36%;3西南向的南宁、柳州等本省城市,春季所有的强酸雨水汽气团都汇合到桂林的西南侧,经南宁、柳州抵达桂林,夏季直接受西南季风的控制,来自印度洋的水汽径直抵达桂林占到75%,秋季途经该地的西南向气流占到14%,冬季63%.     

浙江宁波天童地区酸性降水化学特征研究

为了解浙江宁波天童地区降水的化学特征、离子来源及酸性降水的成因,于2010年3月—2011年2月在该地区采集了90个降水样品,并运用离子色谱法分析其化学组分.结果显示,天童地区降水的酸化频率和酸化程度非常高,酸雨频率为97%,雨量加权pH平均值为4.37,离子浓度的大小顺序为SO24->NH4+>NO3->Ca2+>Cl->Na+>Mg2+>K+>F-,降水较清洁;降水pH值和各离子含量存在明显的季节变化,总体表现为冬、春季污染程度高于夏、秋季;SO24-/NO3-的浓度比值为1.9,表明该地区酸雨类型为硫酸和硝酸复合型;SO24-、NO3-、NH4+和部分Ca2+主要来自人为污染源,Na+、Cl-和大部分Mg2+主要来自海洋源,K+和大部分Ca2+则主要来自地壳源,海洋对天童地区降水离子组分影响较大,但对降水酸度影响并不显著;NH4+与SO42-(r=0.90)、NO3-(r=0.88)的相关性分别大于Ca2+与SO24-(r=0.67)、NO3-(r=0.73)的相关性,且NH4+/Ca2+的浓度比值为1.47,说明NH4+对降水酸性的中和作用大于Ca2+,与我国其他城市降水相比,天童地区降水中的碱性离子,尤其是Ca2+浓度较低,从而导致降水酸度高于北方地区和西南其他地区.     

典型西南岩溶区工业城市降水酸化缓解原因探究——以柳州市为例

利用柳州市环境保护监测站2013—2017年大气降水监测数据,分析近年来柳州岩溶区工业城市降水酸化缓解原因,并对离子来源进行探究.结果表明:①统计柳州近5年的降水pH值发现研究区降水酸化问题有了明显的改善,同时具有季节性差异,春冬季降水酸化相对夏秋季较重.②通过分析降水中主要离子组成及变化特征、计算中和因子(NF)和相对酸度(FA)发现,降水中主要离子浓度出现减少趋势,酸化类型逐渐向硫-硝酸混合型过渡,且99.97%的酸性离子被NH~+_4、Ca~(2+)等离子所中和,所以得出酸性物质的减少和碱性离子的中和作用可能是降水酸化改善的重要因素.③采用Hysplit模型对研究区降水酸化较严重的2016年(共60场)的降水水汽来源进行后向轨迹追踪及聚类分析,显示降水离子组成与浓度不仅与当地污染源有关,还与来自大陆内部西北和西南远距离物质输送有关.上述结果指示由于喀斯特化学风化作用、柳州市严格执行环保规定、大环境改善导致远程传输污染减弱等原因使得柳州市降水酸化情况得到极大改善.此外值得注意的是柳州市酸雨类型逐渐向硫-硝酸混合型过渡,指示随着工业污染的控制得到减弱,日益增长的机动车尾气排放或许成为研究区下一步治理重点方向.     

大气降水中离子化学特征及来源分析

通过研究2006-2010年上海市闸北区大气降水中离子的组成特征和变化,分析了离子可能的来源和酸雨的成因。结果表明,近年来酸雨污染有所改善,酸雨成因也有所改变。阴阳离子当量浓度之比小于1,可能缺少对某些低分子弱有机酸离子的监测。降水化学组份中浓度最高的四种离子分别是SO42-、NH4+、Ca2+和NO3-,SO42-浓度是NO3-的3.14倍,NH4+是Ca2+的2.76倍,降水的主要致酸物质是硫酸盐,主要中和物质是铵盐。大多数离子间有较好的相关性,NO3-和SO42-绝大部分来自人为源的贡献。降水中SO42-的致酸作用和Ca2+的中和作用逐渐下降,Cl-的致酸作用在逐渐增大。     

Chemical composition of rain in Thessaloniki,Greece, in relation to meteorological conditions

Wet precipitation was collected in Thessaloniki, Greece, during the period March 1989–December 1990 by using an automatic wet-only precipitation sampler.Rainwater samples were analysed for major cations (H⁺, NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻), in addition to acidity and conductivity measurements. The majority of rain had a neutral or alkaline character as a result of neutralization, primarily caused by calcareous soil dust and secondarily by atmospheric ammonia. In all rain, SO₄²⁻ concentration exceeded NO₃⁻ concentration. The contribution of maritime sources to the total SO₄²⁻ concentration was very low (<2%).The chemical composition of precipitation was analysed in conjunction with meteorological variables (season of the year, precipitation type, airflow patterns) to evaluate temporal variations and chemical source influence. Rain caused by weak, localized flows showed the highest acidity and the minimum influence of neutralization processes.     

深圳大气降水的化学组成特征

为了了解近年来深圳降水的化学特征与大气污染状况,连续2 a采集了深圳降水样品,分析其化学组分.结果表明,与北京等中国北方内陆城市相比,深圳降水中离子浓度比较低,但降水的酸化程度和酸化频率非常高,雨量加权pH值在2004年和2005年分别为4.48和4.68,酸化频率分别为88%和91%,降水酸化严重;相对中国内陆酸雨城市,深圳降水中SO24-对雨水酸性贡献相对较低,而NO-3和Cl-对雨水阴离子总量及降水酸性的贡献相对较大;Cl-和Na 对雨水阴阳离子的贡献较高,深圳降水受海洋的影响显著;SO24-、NO-3、NH 4等二次组分在雨水中占有很高比例,三者之和超过离子总量的40%,表明深圳大气环境中二次污染突出;降水中不同组分的来源差别较大,Cl-、K 、Na 主要来自海洋源,而SO24-、NO-3、Ca2 、Mg2 主要来自非海洋源;甲酸、乙酸和乙二酸是深圳降水中主要的有机酸,三者之和在2004年和2005年分别占检测到的有机酸总量的94%和99%.     

广州地区雨水化学组成与雨水酸度主控因子研究

采集了广州地区2003-10～2004-09的雨水样品,通过对雨水样品的pH值、主要阴阳离子组成和可溶性有机碳(DOC)的测定,分析了广州地区酸雨的现状以及影响雨水酸度的主要因素等.结果表明,在观测期间,广州地区酸雨频率高达85%;雨水的主要离子组成为NH₄⁺、SO₄^2-、NO₃^-、Ca²⁺、Cl^-和Na⁺,而DOC约占总化学组成的24.0%;雨水酸度的主要控制离子还是SO₄^2-,但NO₃^-对雨水酸度的影响越来越大;同时,水溶性有机酸对雨水酸度的贡献也很明显.另外,来自扬尘中高浓度的碱性含钙化合物也对雨水酸度有明显的中和作用.     

中国西南酸雨区降水化学特征研究进展

西南酸雨区为我国主要酸雨沉降区,且是全球三大喀斯特集中分布区之一.本文将该区9个地点的降雨资料进行了总结、整理和分析,数据包括pH值和主离子成分(Cl~-、SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、Ca~(2+)、NH_4~+、Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+).该地区降雨中的主要阴离子为SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-,主要阳离子为Ca~(2+)和NH_4~+.与我国其它地区相比,其酸性离子、碱性离子和总离子浓度均普遍高于东南地区、而低于我国北方地区.西南酸雨区主要以pH值为4.5~5.6的弱酸性降雨为主,占总降雨频次的58%左右.根据酸、碱性离子的相关性、中和因子等分析结果,该区雨水中的酸性物质可能受到了碱性离子的中和作用,其中起主要中和作用的离子为Ca~(2+)和NH_4~+.将该区雨水pH值和酸、碱性离子浓度与我国其它地区进行对比研究发现,西南酸雨区降雨受到的中和作用要强于东南地区,但弱于北方地区的降雨.通过对西南酸雨区降雨中主要离子来源的分析和估算,降雨中的酸性离子SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-主要来自于人为污染;99.7%的Ca~(2+)和84.0%的Mg~(2+)为陆源贡献,这可能与西南地区碳酸盐岩广泛分布有关.     

The research of below-cloud scavengingof rainwater in Guilin City

Ｔｈｅｒｅｓｅａｒｃｈｏｆｂｅｌｏｗ－ｃｌｏｕｄｓｃａｖｅｎｇｉｎｇｏｆｒａｉｎｗａｔｅｒｉｎＧｕｉｌｉｎＣｉｔｙＢａｉＹｕｈｕａ；ＹａｏＲｏｎｇｋｕｉ；ＬｉＸｉｎ；ＴａｎｇＸｉａｏｙａｎ（ＴｈｅＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＴｅｃｈｎｉｃａｌＰｈｙｓｉｅ...     

大连市酸雨污染特征及原因简析

2008年大连市酸雨频率为36．9％,酸雨污染以硫酸型污染为主,但硝酸盐对酸雨的贡献相对较高,降水中对酸雨主要起中和作用的离子为钙离子及铵根离子。2003年-2008年来大连市降水酸度和酸雨频率呈逐年上升趋势,从各季节变化看,最高酸雨频率主要发生在夏季,降水中（Ca2^＋NH4^＋）／（SO4^-2＋NO3^-）呈下降趋势,从而说明虽然大连市局地的二氧化硫和氮氧化物污染对降水酸度产生一定影响,但相比而言,空气中碱性颗粒物的减少．对大连市酸雨频率的升高影响更大;大连市酸雨污染受外来源的远距离输送影响的比例很大。     

聊城市冬季PM2.5中水溶性化合物的昼夜变化特征及来源解析

为探究聊城市冬季PM_(2.5)中水溶性物质的昼夜变化特征及其来源,于2017年1～2月进行PM_(2.5)样品采集,对其水溶性无机离子、乙二酸和左旋葡聚糖等水溶性化合物进行分析,并采用主成分分析-多元线性回归模型(PCA-MLR)对其来源进行解析.结果表明,采样期间聊城市PM_(2.5)平均质量浓度为(132. 6±65. 4)μg·m-3,是国家二级标准的1. 8倍,且夜晚PM_(2.5)的污染程度略高于白天. SNA(SO24-、NO3-和NH4+)是聊城市PM_(2.5)中最主要的水溶性离子,在白天与夜晚占总离子的质量分数为73. 4%和77. 1%,说明聊城市冬季二次污染较严重.白天与夜晚阴阳离子平衡当量比值(AE/CE)都小于1,说明PM_(2.5)呈碱性,且夜晚PM_(2.5)的酸性比白天强.无论在白天还是晚上,NH4+的主要存在形态均为NH4HSO4和NH4NO3.通过相关性分析,证实了乙二酸是在液相中经酸催化的二次氧化反应形成的,且受生物质燃烧的影响很强.通过PCA-MLR模型分析可知,聊城市冬季PM_(2.5)中的水溶性化合物主要来自机动车尾气及其二次氧化、生物质燃烧,而受矿物粉尘与煤炭燃烧的影响较小.     

Chemistry of atmospheric precipitation at the Western Arabian Gulf Coast

Rainwater and atmospheric bulk deposition samples were collected at a station on the rooftop of the Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran. Continuous sampling was carried out manually throughout the rainy season between December 1987 and February 1988, and for one rainfall event in March 1987. A total number of 13 samples were collected and investigated for pH and dissolved ionic composition using inductivity coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP) and ion chromatography (IC). The range and volume-weighted average pH were 5.1–7.2 and 5.48, respectively. Significant negative linear correlations were observed between the precipitation pH and rain depth, and between pH and the summation of dissolved {(Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)−(SO₄²⁻ + NO₃⁻ + NO₂⁻)} (in μeqℓ⁻¹). The ionic summation also correlated negatively with rain depth. The ionic abundance in rainwater (in μeqℓ⁻¹) expressed in concentration order showed the general trend SO₄²⁻ > HCO₃⁻¹ = Cl⁻ = NO₃⁻ > NO₂⁻ for anions and Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > NH₄⁺ > K⁺ > H⁺ > Sr²⁺ for cations. Good mass balance between cations and anions was observed. Total NO₃⁻ contribute equally to precipitation acidity as SO₄²⁻ and Ca²⁺ plus Mg²⁺ in alkaline suspended particulates from natural sources are the major ions which buffer the acidity of precipitation. The NH₄⁺ ion which is also present plays an insignificant role in the acid/base equilibrium of rainwater.     

太原市五年降尘及降水中主要离子特征

随着我国工业化和城镇化的深入推进,人们对城市大气环境质量关注日益增加。连续五年对山西省太原市5个点位进行监测,考察降水中主要离子时间变异及大气干湿沉降规律。结果表明:太原市五个监测点年均干沉降量排序为太钢工业区坞城(东)桃园(市中)晋祠(景区)上兰(市郊),其中太钢年均沉降量是上兰的三倍。降尘量除了在不同点位差异较大外,相同点上不同季节也有较大波动,表现为各监测点春季和冬季降尘量为全年最高。而夏季由于降雨较多,干沉降最少。总体上,近五年各点干沉降量呈现逐年下降的趋势。湿沉降方面以桃园为市区代表分析,SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、Ca~(2+)和NH_4~+是太原市桃园降水中主要的无机离子,其加权平均浓度范围为3.1～19 mg/L,各离子浓度在干燥的冬春季较高,且近五年其浓度及沉降量快速增加。桃园降雨中SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-仍然是最主要的致酸离子,SO_4~(2-)年均沉降量分别是NO_3~-、Ca~(2+)和NH_4~+的1.7、3.9、5.9倍。Ca~(2+)、NH_4~+和Mg~(2+)的中和因子分别是0.42、0.30、0.14,说明Ca~(2+)、NH_4~+对酸雨缓冲作用大于Mg~(2+)。2013～2017年太原市桃园降雨SO_4~(2-)/NO_3~-和NH_4~+/NO_3~-比值分别为1.7和0.3,表明酸雨类型由硫酸型向混合型发展,主要是近年来NO_3~-浓度增幅大于SO_4~(2-)和NH_4~+。总的来看,近些年太原市政府大力提倡节能减排带来明显效果,但工业厂矿区周边降尘污染依然严重,属于今后城市环境治理的重点。     

中国降水酸度和离子浓度的时空分布

1991～1995年在全国进行了酸雨观测,建立了覆盖全国的具有区域代表性的酸沉降监测网,含271个测站?降水的pH值和电导率在现场采样后立即测量,降水样品的化学分析则在实验室里进行?主要离子SO2-₄,NO-₃,NH+₄,Ca2+浓度的加权均值分别为125.86,19.96,67.89和80.41μeq/L?由离子浓度地理分布图看出,这些离子浓度地理分布状况因离子而异?值得注意的是降水中SO2-₄和NO-₃浓度,北方非酸雨区甚高于南方酸雨区,这说明降水的酸度并不简单地决定于降水中SO2-₄和NO-₃的绝对浓度,而决定于这些离子对于Ca2+和NH+₄的相对浓度?发现了降水年均pH值低至4的一些地区,此值可能是目前世界年降水酸性最强的地区?文中还对代表性地区1986～1993年降水化学特征进行了分析,结果表明降水的酸度仍在升高?      

基于δ15N和δ18O的农业区地下河硝酸盐污染来源

为研究岩溶区农业活动为主导的地下河流域硝酸盐污染来源,于2017年5~10月每24 d左右对重庆青木关流域6个采样点进行监测,利用~(15)N和~(18)O同位素技术对示踪硝酸盐来源进行解译,应用IsoSource模型计算出不同端元硝酸盐的贡献率.结果表明:(1)青木关农业区地下河系统存在较大的硝酸盐污染风险,大部分采样点出现不同程度NO_3~--N浓度超标现象.(2)空间上,青木关地下河中NO_3~--N浓度整体呈现由上游向下游升高的趋势.时间上,上游鱼塘和岩口落水洞以及下游姜家泉样点NO_3~--N浓度在5~6月因受农业施肥的影响,均呈上升趋势,6~9月受降水影响而出现不同程度升高或降低,9月之后随着农业活动减少而逐渐降低;中游土壤点NO_3~--N浓度保持较高值;中下游大鹿池NO_3~--N浓度较低且变幅不大.(3)通过硝酸盐~(15)N和~(18)O同位素分析,表明上游鱼塘和岩口落水洞的硝酸盐源于土壤有机氮、动物粪便及污废水混合;中游土壤点硝酸盐源于土壤有机氮、降水和肥料中NH_4~+;中下游大鹿池中硝酸盐来源于动物粪便及污废水、土壤有机氮、降水和肥料中NH_4~+的混合作用.地下河出口处姜家泉硝酸盐污染严重,其源于土壤有机氮、降水和肥料中NH_4~+、动物粪便及污废水、大气沉降的综合作用.(4)基于IsoSource模型对地下河出口处硝酸盐来源进行定量分析,发现动物粪便及污废水贡献率占46.4%,土壤有机氮占32.6%,降水与肥料中NH_4~+占18.6%,大气沉降仅占2.4%.     

Measurements of H2O2, aldehydes and organic acids in Los Angeles rainwater: Their sources and deposition rates

Rainwater samples were collected in Los Angeles, during 1985–1991 to determine concentration levels, sources and deposition rates of atmospheric H₂O₂, aldehydes and organic acids, in addition to major cations, anions and pH. Volume-weighted mean concentrations of H₂O₂, aldehydes (formaldehyde + acetaldehyde + glyoxal + methylglyoxal) and organic acids (formic acid + acetic acid) in rain collected at Westwood were 4.4., 3.9 and 16.5 μM, respectively, during the 6-year study period. Monocarboxylic organic acids were estimated to account for 27% (2–80%) of total free acidity (as on overall average) in rain collected at Westwood, whereas sulfuric acid and nitric acid accounted for 39% and 34% of the total acidity, respectively. Concentrations of aldehydes were strongly dependent on precipitation volume and decreased with increasing precipitation volume, whereas H₂O₂ and organic acids were only weakly dependent on precipitation volume. These results indicate that concentrations of aldehydes in rain are mainly controlled by dilution, whereas H₂O₂ and organic acid concentrations are controlled by other factors, such as decomposition of H₂O₂ by reacting with S(IV) and continuous aqueous formation/decomposition of organic acids by reactions involving aldehydes, dissolved OH radicals and H₂O₂. Principal component analyses indicate that aldehydes in rainwater mainly originate from gases and aerosols derived from anthropogenic sources, whereas the sources of H₂O₂ and organic acids in rain do not correlate with anthropogenic sources or marine and continental sources. There is good agreement between reported gas-phase concentrations of H₂O₂, aldehydes and organic acids in Los Angeles and calculated equilibrium concentrations of these chemical species from their rainwater concentrations and Henry's law constants. Temporal variations of concentrations of chemical species indicate that H₂O₂, aldehydes and organic acids were highest in the early afternoon. Summer rains contained the highest concentration of these chemical species, suggesting the photochemical activities during rain storms significantly affect their concentration levels. Estimation of annual rate of wet and dry depositions of H₂O₂, aldehydes and organic acids for the period studied, indicates that 84% of H₂O₂, 97% of aldehydes and 94% of organic acids, respectively, are annually scavenged from the atmosphere, by dry deposition, which is the dominant process for removal of these atmospheric pollutants in Los Angeles.     

上海金山区酸雨分布特征及降水酸度主控因子探讨

依据上海金山区2006-2010年降水监测数据,分析了该地区降水pH年均值、酸度及酸雨频率的分布特征,并对降水化学组成及各离子间的相关性进行了分析。结果表明,2006-2010年金山区降水的酸化及酸化频率较高,pH均值为4.24,酸雨频率为86.4%。降水主要离子为SO42-、NO3-、NH4+、Ca2+和Na+,上述5种离子占降水离子总浓度的87.8%,主要酸性离子SO42-、NO3-与阳离子NH4+、Ca2+和Mg2+均具有较高相关性。通过对降水酸度主控因子的探讨发现,主要致酸物质为SO42-,但NO3-对降水酸度的影响越来越大,碱性物质中和作用中起主导地位的是NH4+,雨水酸化的最主要来源为人为污染源。     

Acid deposition and its effects in China: an overview

Acid rain is an increasing environmental problem in China. At present SO₂ emission is about 20–22 million tons. However with a growing number of large power plants the long-range transport of air pollutants is expected to increase. The highest acid deposition is near the emission sources. Wind-blown, alkaline soil dust is important in neutralizing the acidity of the emissions, especially in large parts of northern China. In the south, where alkaline soil dust contributes less to acid neutralization, the annual pH in precipitation was below 4.5 at monitoring stations in several provinces and as low as 4.1 in some urban areas. Total sulfur deposition has been estimated to be about 10 g S m−² year⁻¹ in heavily exposed areas. Negative effects on forests, including die-back, have been reported for relatively small areas near large cities. Since large, regional surveys have not been carried out, there are large uncertainties about effects on a regional level. The high concentrations of gaseous pollutants, especially within and near the cities, are likely to have severe effects on human health as well as on materials and vegetation. Several field and laboratory studies, as well as computer simulations, indicate that acidification of soil and soil water has occurred in the past few decades. This has probably caused elevated concentrations of toxic aluminum in soil water. At present, the toxic effect of Al is likely to be counteracted by high concentrations of calcium at many places. The Chinese authorities have recognized air pollution and acid rain as serious environmental problems, however, there are difficulties in implementing effective measures to reduce the problems. With respect to ecological effects we lack a comprehensive regional overview of the extent of the acid deposition problem in China. Such information is necessary before effective countermeasures can be developed.     

Atmospheric concentrations and deposition of nitrogen and major ions in conifer forests in the United States and Federal Republic of Germany

Emission densities of air pollutants are higher in Europe than in the U.S. as a whole, suggesting similar differences in atmospheric deposition. We determined air concentrations and deposition during the warm season at conifer forests in Tennessee and northern Germany. Our results confirmed major differences in both chemistry and fluxes. Atmospheric and precipitation concentrations of all ions except H⁺ were higher at the German site, most significantly for the nitrogen species. The much higher levels of NH₄⁺ at this site reflect higher emissions of NH₃, which was the species largely responsible for the lower levels of H⁺. Total airborne nitrate was dominated by HNO₃ in Tennessee. In Germany we found comparable amounts of HNO₃ and aerosol NO₃⁻, the concentration of which varied seasonally, apparently in response to agricultural emissions of NH₃ that reacted to form NH₄NO₃. Total deposition of all major ions was much higher at the German site, particularly for the nitrogen species, which exhibited a marked edge effect in throughfall. Dry deposition was determined from air concentrations by using a canopy resistance model and from a statistical model of throughfall fluxes, each of which yielded comparable fluxes for several ions. Dry deposition contributed 10–70% of the ion input and was most important at the German site. Both forest canopies absorbed 40–50% of total deposited nitrogen, primarily from dry deposition.