Wet deposition of excess sulfate at Macquarie Island, 54° S

Annual wet deposition of excess sulfate at Macquarie Island has been estimated from 5 months of rainwater composition data covering the Austral summer of 1985/86. The resulting figure of 2.1±0.6 mmol/m²/yr is at the low end of previous estimates of maritime excess sulfate deposition by precipitation. Within estimated uncertainty limits this figure is consistent with the DMS emission flux which would be predicted for latitude 50°–60° S, based solely on available Northern Hemispheric DMS measurements.Temporarily at the International Meteorological Institute, Stockholm University, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.     

Gamma Emitters on Micro-Becquerel Activity Level in Air at Kraków (Poland)

The Petryanov air filters combined into half-year sets were analyzed for the presence of ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs and ²²Na by means of low-background gamma rays spectrometry. Each sample contains aerosols from more than 1 Mm³ of air. Samples were collected in ground level air at Kraków (Southern Poland) from 1996 to 2002. Activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K are almost constant with the mean of 14.7± 4.5 Bq m^–3. Activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, which are on the level of single Bq m^{– 3} show exponential decrease with effective half-life time of 7.07± 0.77 years. The cosmogenic ²²Na shows a strong seasonal variation with significant different mean values activity concentration between 0.333± 0.095 Bq m^–3 and 0.137± 0.045 Bq m^–3, for summer and winter, respectively. Moreover, the activity ratio for two cosmogenic radionuclides: ²²Na and measured previously ⁷Be show also changes with statistically significant seasonal differences. The lower values were found during winters. The mechanisms which might govern this ratio are discussed. The conclusion is that transport of ²²Na during summer seems to be so much effective, that results in kind of relative depletion of stratosphere of this nuclide.     

Rainwater Chemistry and Wet Deposition over the Equatorial Forested Ecosystem of Zoétélé (Cameroon)

Within the framework of IDAF (IGAC DEBITS AFRICA: International GlobalAtmospheric Chemistry/DEposition of Biogeochemically Important TraceSpecies/Africa) network, data analysis is realised on precipitation chemical composition collected in Zoétélé, in Southern Cameroon. This station, located atabout 200 km from the Atlantic Ocean, is representative of a so-called `Evergreen Equatorial Forest' ecosystem. An automatic wet-only precipitation collector was operated at the station from 1996 to 2000. The rainfall regime, associated with eastward advection of moist and cool monsoon air masses, amounts to an average of 1700 mm/year. Inorganic and organic content of the precipitation were determined by IC in 234 rainfall events, representing a total 4,583 mm of rainfall from an overall of 7,100 mm.The mean annual precipitation chemistry and wet deposition fluxes characteristic of an African equatorial forest are quantified. Typical atmospheric gases and particles sources influence the precipitation chemical content and the associated deposition of chemical species. Indeed, hydrogen concentration is the highest (12.0 eq.L^–1) of the IDAF measurements, leading to acid rains with a low mean pH 4.92. The mineral species are dominated by nitrogenous compounds (NH₄ ⁺:10.5 and NO₃ ^–: 6.9 eq.L^–1), Ca²⁺ (8.9 eq.L^–1) and SO₄ ^{2 –} 5.1 eq.L^–1. Relationship between Ca^{2 +} and SO₄ ^{2 –} indicated aterrigeneous particulate source and an additional SO₄ ^{2 –} contributionprobably due to swamps and volcano emissions. Na⁺ and Cl^–concentrations, around 4.0 eq.L^–1, seem very low for this site,accounting for the marine source. Besides, strong correlations between NH₄ ⁺/K⁺/Cl^– indicate the biomass burning originof these species. Accordingly, precipitation chemistry in Zoétéléis influenced by three major sources: biogenic emissions from soil and forest ecosystems, biomass burning from savannah, and terrigenous signature from particles emissions of arid zones; and three minor sources: marine, volcano and anthropogenic. In spite of the relatively low concentration of all these elements, the wet deposition is quite significant due to the high precipitation levels, with for example a nitrogenous compounds deposition of 34 mmol.m^–2.yr^–1.     

An Examination of the Atmospheric Chemistry of Mercury Using 210Pb and 7Be

Measurements of Hg (total gas-phase, precipitation-phase andparticulate-phase), aerosol mass, particulate ²¹⁰Pb and⁷Be and precipitation ²¹⁰Pb were made at an atmosphericcollection station located in a near remote area of northcentral Wisconsin,U.S.A. (46°10N, 89°50W) during the summers of 1993, 1994and 1995. Total Hg and ²¹⁰Pb were observed to correlate strongly(slope = 0.06 ± 0.03 ng mBq^-1; r ² =0.72) in rainwater. Mercury to ²¹⁰Pb ratios in particulate matter(0.03 ± 0.02 ng mBq^-1; r ² = 0.06) wereconsistent with the ratio in rain. Enrichment of the Hg/mass ratio (approx.5–50×) relative to soil and primary pollutant aerosols indicatedthat gas-to-particle conversion had taken place during transport. Comparisonof these results with models for the incorporation of Hg into precipitationindicates that atmospheric particles deliver more Hg to precipitation than canbe explained by the presence of soot. A lack of correlation between totalgas-phase Hg (TGM) and a ⁷Be/²¹⁰Pb function suggests novertical concentration gradient within the troposphere, and allows an estimateof TGM residence time of 1.5 ± 0.6 yr be made based on surface airsamples.     

Chemical Assessment of Oceanic and Terrestrial Sulfur in the Marine Boundary Layer over the Northern North Pacific during Summer

Dimethylsulfide (DMS) in surface seawater and the air, methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO₄ ²–) in aerosol, and radon-222 (Rn-222) were measured in the northern North Pacific, including the Bering Sea, during summer (13 July – 6 September 1997). The mean atmospheric DMS concentrations in the eastern region (21.0 ± 5.8 nmole/m³ (mean ± S.D.), n=30) and Bering Sea (19.9 ± 9.8 nmole/m³, n=10) were higher than that in the western region (11.1 ± 6.4 nmole/m³, n=31) (p<0.05), although these regions did not significantly differ in the mean DMS concentration in surface seawater. Mean sea-to-air DMS flux in the eastern region (21.0 ± 10.4 mole/m²/day, n=19) was larger than those in the western region (11.3 ± 16.9 mole /m²/day, n=22) and Bering Sea (11.2 ± 7.8 mole/m²/day, n=7) (p<0.05). This suggests that the longitudinal difference in atmospheric DMS was produced by that in DMS flux owing to wind speed, while the possible causes of the higher DMS concentrations in the Bering Sea include (1) later DMS oxidation rates, (2) lower heights of the marine boundary layer, and (3) more inactive convection. The mean MSA concentrations in the eastern region (1.18 ± 0.84 nmole/m³, n=35) and Bering Sea (1.17 ± 0.87 nmole/m³, n=13) were higher than that in the western region (0.49 ± 0.25 nmole/m³, n=28) (p < 0.05). Thus the distribution of MSA was similar to that of DMS, while the nss-SO₄ ²– concentrations were higher near the continent. This suggests that nss-SO₄ ²– concentrations were regionally influenced by anthropogenic sulfur input, because the distribution of nss-SO₄ ²– was similar to that of Rn-222 used as a tracer of continental air masses.     

Importance of sulfate emission to sulfur deposition at urban and rural sites in China

Throughfall (TF) and wet only (WO) deposition along with SO₂ and sulfate (SO₄²⁻) concentration in air at 4 urban and rural sites in southwestern China were monitored in order to understand the role of different forms of sulfur (S) emission to the S deposition and its effect in China. The sites were located in Chongqing, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces. S deposition at the most polluted site reached 15 g S m^− 2 yr^− 1. At three of the sites, located in the vicinity of several emission sources, dry S deposition is 2.1–4.2 times that of wet deposition, which is significantly higher than what is found in most other parts of the world.Main components in airborne particles (PM₁₀) are (NH₄)₂SO₄ and CaSO₄ at the highly polluted Tie Shan Ping (TSP) site. Dust particles of gypsum (CaSO₄) in the air are partly due to direct emission and partly from the reaction of calcium oxides and carbonates with sulfuric acid in the air. To illustrate the importance of sulfate emission to total S deposition we analyzed the source of S deposition based on both measurements and models. Results indicated that direct emission of SO₄²⁻ particles could account for high proportion in total S deposition at the three most polluted sites.     

Determination of Sulfur Balance Between the Atmosphere and a Norway Spruce Forest Ecosystem: Comparison of Gradient Dry + Wet and Throughfall Deposition Measurements

Total sulfur deposition was determined above a Norway spruce forest, in Hungary. Two methods were applied, on one hand dry + wet deposition measurements and on the other, throughfall and stemflow deposition estimations have been carried out. Results show: total depositions are 3.3 and 3.2 g S m^–2 yr^–1 determined by dry + wet and throughfall deposition methods, respectively. The share of the dry deposition in the total S-load is 73%. The agreement between the results of the two different methods is good and suggests the needlessness of complicated dry + wet flux measurements, i.e. the total and dry deposition of sulfur compounds to forests can be determined by simple throughfall and wet deposition measurements.     

Nitrogen and sulfur species in Antarctic aerosols at Mawson,Palmer Station,and Marsh (King George Island)

High volume bulk aerosol samples were collected continuously at three Antarctic sites: Mawson (67.60° S, 62.50° E) from 20 February 1987 to 6 January 1992; Palmer Station (64.77° S, 64.06° W) from 3 April 1990 to 15 June 1991; and Marsh (62.18° S, 58.30° W) from 28 March 1990, to 1 May 1991. All samples were analyzed for Na⁺, SO ₄ ^2– , NO ₃ ^– , methanesulfonate (MSA), NH ₄ ⁺ ,²¹⁰Pb, and⁷Be. At Mawson for which we have a multiple year data set, the annual mean concentration of each species sometimes vary significantly from one year to the next: Na⁺, 68–151 ng m^–3; NO ₃ ^– , 25–30 ng m^–3; nss SO ₄ ^2– , 81–97 ng m^–3; MSA, 19–28 ng m^–3; NH ₄ ⁺ , 16–21 ng m^–3;²¹⁰Pb, 0.75–0.86 fCi m^–3. Results from multiple variable regression of non-sea-salt (nss) SO ₄ ^2– with MSA and NO ₃ ^– as the independent variables indicates that, at Mawson, the nss SO ₄ ^2– /MSA ratio resulting from the oxidation of dimethylsulfide (DMS) is 2.80±0.13, about 13% lower than our earlier estimate (3.22) that was based on 2.5 years of data. A similar analysis indicates that the ratio at Palmer is about 40% lower, 1.71±0.10, and more comparable to previous results over the southern oceans. These results when combined with previously published data suggest that the differences in the ratio may reflect a more rapid loss of MSA relative to nss SO ₄ ^2– during transport over Antarctica from the oceanic source region. The mean²¹⁰Pb concentrations at Palmer and Marsh and the mean NO ₃ ^– concentration at Palmer are about a factor of two lower than those at Mawson. The²¹⁰Pb distributions are consistent with a²¹⁰Pb minimum in the marine boundary layer in the region of 40°–60° S. These features and the similar seasonalities of NO ₃ ^– and²¹⁰Pb at Mawson support the conclusion that the primary source regions for NO ₃ ^– are continental. In contrast, the mean concentrations of MSA, nss SO ₄ ^2– , and NH ₄ ⁺ at Palmer are all higher than those at Mawson: MSA by a factor of 2; nss SO ₄ ^2– by 10%; and NH ₄ ⁺ by more than 50%. However, the factor differences exhibit substantial seasonal variability; the largest differences generally occur during the austral summer when the concentrations of most of the species are highest. NH ₄ ⁺ /(nss SO ₄ ^2– +MSA) equivalent ratios indicate that NH₃ neutralizes about 60% of the sulfur acids during December at both Mawson and Palmer, but only about 30% at Mawson during February and March.     

Aspects of the cycle of inorganic nitrogen compounds in the tropical rain forest of the Ivory Coast

A partial balance of mineral N is given for the basins of two coastal rivers in a forest zone in the Ivory Coast. The dry and wet depositions on the basin surfaces is given for particulate matter (NO₃ ^–, NH₄ ⁺). The quantity of mineral N washed away in the rivers is evaluated. The losses from leaching of the soils by rainwater are about 0.33 to 1.0% of the atmospheric depositions for NH₄ ⁺–N and 2.2 to 5.8% for NO₃ ^––N. The yearly atmospheric input of N compounds to the ecosystem, about 1.4 g N m^–2 y^–1, is at least 14% of mineral N formed in the soils and is therefore quite significant.     

Factors Influencing the Atmospheric Depositional Fluxes of Stable Pb, 210Pb, and 7Be into Chesapeake Bay

Atmospheric depositional fluxes of ⁷Be and²¹⁰Pb (bulk) and stable Pb (wet) were measuredsimultaneously for one year (from September 1995–August 1996) atStillpond, Maryland on the uppereastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The annual total(bulk) depositional fluxes of ²¹⁰Pb and ⁷Bewere 0.78 and 13 dpm cm^-2, respectively, andagree well with other previously reported results atnearby locations such as Norfolk, VA and Lewes, DE. The wet depositional flux of stable Pb (58 ng cm^-2 yr^-1)was also similar to thatmeasured at other Chesapeake sites during 1990–1991(55 ng cm^-2 yr^-1, for both Wye and Elms,Maryland). This suggests that a constant Pb flux hasbeen reached since the mandatory use of unleadedgasoline was instituted. The concentrations of⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb, and to a lesser extent stable Pbwere diluted exponentially by precipitation, based onconcentrations versus precipitation plots. Due tohigher enrichment of ²¹⁰Pb in the lowertroposphere, the dilution effect was largest on²¹⁰Pb (i.e., controlled mainly by below-cloudscavenging processes), and thus its depositional fluxincrease is negligible as precipitation amountincreases. A good correlation between the amount ofprecipitation and total depositional flux of ⁷Beand stable Pb, which are more enriched in the uppertroposphere, suggests that precipitation amount isimportant in controlling their fluxes (i.e.,controlled by both below-cloud scavenging and in-cloudcondensation processes). Based on ⁷Be versus²¹⁰Pb plots, it appears that ⁷Be, relativeto ²¹⁰Pb, is less efficiently scavenged bysnowfall. Our results suggest that in addition toprecipitation amounts, marine air-mass transport orsnowfall may be important factors in controlling theseasonal variability of the fallout fluxes of tracemetals in coastal areas.     

A Long Term Study on Chemical Composition of Rainwater at Dayalbagh, a Suburban Site of Semiarid Region

Rainwater samples were collected for the monsoon period of 1988 and 1991–1996 at Dayalbagh (Agra), a suburban site situated in semiaridregion. The mean pH was 7.01 ±1.03 well above 5.6, which is the reference pH. Concentration of Ca²⁺ was observed to be highest followed by Mg²⁺, NH₄ ⁺,SO₄ ^2–, Cl^–,NO₃ ^–, Na⁺, F^– and K⁺. The ratios of SO₄ ^2– + NO₃ ^– andCa²⁺ + Mg²⁺ (TA/TC) have been considered as indicatorfor acidity. In the Agra region ratio of TA/TC is quite below 1.0 indicating alkaline nature of rainwater. The lowest value of 0.24 was observed in 1991 likely due to the lowest rain depth of the decade. The highest value of 0.54 was observed in 1996, a year with a large rain depth and increase in line (vehicular traffic) and area sources (population growth). Good correlation between Ca²⁺ and NO₃ ^–,Ca²⁺ and SO₄ ^2– andSO₄ ^2– and NO₃ ^–,indicates that wind carried dust and soil play a significant role in neutralization of precipitation acidity.     

Formate and acetate levels compared in monsoon and winter rainwater at Dayalbagh, Agra (India)

A total of 59 rainwater samples were collected during the winter and monsoon (1991–92) at Dayalbagh, Agra. This site is relatively free from the influence of anthropogenic emissions and the volume-weighted average concentrations (VWA) of formate in the winter and monsoon were 22.5±6, 16.1±3 while acetate VWAs were 17.1±5 and 13.8±3 mol l^-1, respectively. Although the VWAs varied between seasons, it was not statistically different. Total deposition (in mmol m^-2) varied between season (winter formate, 1.4; acetate, 1.1; monsoon formate, 7.4; acetate, 6.4). A difference in VWA values may have occurred as a result of the dilution factor; the total rain depth from collected samples in the monsoon was 46 cm while that in winter was 6.3 cm. Sources at this site may be anthropogenic and natural; scavenging from the vapour phase, washout of soil particles and emissions from vegetative sources are probably important sources for formate and acetate.     

Concentration and gas/particle partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at an industrial site at Bursa, Turkey

Gas and particle phase concentrations of atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured at an urban/industrial site in the city of Bursa, Turkey. PCB concentration levels were presented between July 2004 and May 2005. Average particle and gas phase concentrations of individual PCB congeners ranged from 0.08 (PCB-183) to 6.86 (PCB-49) pg m^− 3 and from 0.01 (PCB-209) to 47.2 (PCB-33) pg m^− 3, respectively. The mean concentration of total (gas + particle) PCBs varied between 24.27 and 666.21 pg m^− 3 with an average of 287.27 ± 174.80 pg m^− 3. PCB concentrations at the sampling site were higher than the concentrations reported at non-urban sites. PCBs partitioned between gas and particle phases and the partitioning was examined according to different approaches such as logK_p–logP_L^o, logK_p–logK_OA and the Junge–Pankow model. In order to present possible interactions, a correlation matrix based on PCB congeners and meteorological parameters was constructed. Application of the Clausius–Clapeyron equation yielded a low slope value indicating possible emissions from local and regional sources originating mainly from urban/industrial areas, landfill and waste incineration plant. Then, likely dry deposition fluxes were estimated depending on reported dry deposition velocity and atmospheric concentration values.     

Autoxidation of N(III), S(IV), and other Species in Frozen Solution – A Possible Pathway for Enhanced Chemical Transformation in Freezing Systems

The chemistry of glycolaldehyde (hydroxyacetaldehyde) relevant to the troposphere has been investigated using UV absorption spectrometry and FTIR absorption spectrometry in an environmental chamber. Quantitative UV absorption spectra have been obtained for the first time. The UV spectrum peaks at 277 nm with a maximum cross section of (5.5± 0.7)×10^–20 cm² molecule^–1. Studies of the ultraviolet photolysis of glycolaldehyde ( = 285 ± 25 nm) indicated that the overall quantum yield is > 0.5 in one bar of air, with the major products being CH₂OH and HCO radicals. Rate coefficients for the reactions of Cl atoms and OH radicals with glycolaldehyde have been determined to be (7.6± 1.5)×10^–11 and (1.1± 0.3)×10^–11 cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1, respectively, in good agreement with the only previous study. The lifetime of glycolaldehyde in the atmosphere is about 1.0 day for reaction with OH, and > 2.5 days for photolysis, although both wet and dry deposition should also be considered in future modeling studies.     

Condensed water in tropical cyclone “Oliver”, 8 February 1993

On February 8, 1993, the NASA DC-8 aircraft profiled from 10,000 to 37,000 feet (3.1–11.3 km) pressure altitude in a stratified section of tropical cyclone “Oliver” over the Coral Sea northeast of Australia. Size, shape and phase of cloud and precipitation particles were measured with a 2-D Greyscale probe. Cloud/ precipitation particles changed from liquid to ice as soon as the freezing level was reached near 17,000 feet (5.2 km) pressure altitude. The cloud was completely glaciated at −5°C. There was no correlation between ice particle habit and ambient temperature. In the liquid phase, the precipitation-cloud drop concentration was 4.0 × 10³ m⁻³, the geometric mean diameter D_g=0.5−0.7 mm, and the liquid water content 0.7−1.9 g m⁻³. The largest particles anywhere in the cloud, dominated by fused dendrites at concentrations similar to that of raindrops (2.5 × 10³ m⁻³) but a higher condensed water content (5.4 g m⁻³ estimated) were found in the mixed phase; condensed water is removed very effectively from the mixed layer due to high settling velocities of the large mixed particles. The highest number concentration (4.9 × 10⁴ m⁻³), smallest size (D_g=0.3−0.4 mm), largest surface area (up to 2.6 × 10² cm² m⁻³ at 0.4−1.0 g m⁻³ of condensate) existed in the ice phase at the coldest temperature (−40°C) at 35,000 feet (10.7 km). Each cloud contained aerosol (haze particles) in addition to cloud particles. The aerosol total surface area exceeded that of the cirrus particles at the coldest temperature. Thus, aerosols must play a significant role in the upscattering of solar radiation. Light extinction (6.2 km⁻¹) and backscatter (0.8 sr⁻¹ km⁻¹) was highest in the coldest portion of the cirrus cloud at the highest altitude.     

The microstructure of selected, small, isolated, cumulus clouds near Red Deer, Alberta

Physical experiments designed to explore the potential of rain augmentation through airborne glaciogenic seeding on small, isolated non-precipitating cumuliform clouds near Red Deer, Alberta were carried out during the period 1982–1985. The microstructure of 90 cumulus congestus clouds have been documented through repeated in-situ sampling using a cloud physics instrumented aircraft platform. Observations from the inspection passes of 57 clouds seeded with either dry ice pellets or silver iodide pyrotechnics, and all the passes of 33 natural clouds are presented.Measurements of the cloud droplet concentration indicate that Alberta cumulus clouds are typically continental in nature, with an average droplet concentration of 535 cm⁻³ and an average droplet diameter of 10.6 μm. Alberta clouds have average liquid water contents of 0.57 g m⁻³, with a peak 1-sec value of 3.17 g m⁻³. The 1-km average liquid water contents are 0.83 g m⁻³, with a peak value of 2.81 g m⁻³. Cloud lifetimes vary between 11 and 20 minutes. Concentrations of naturally occurring ice crystals are found to be low. The average maximum 1-km ice concentration was 31⁻¹, and the peak 1-km concentration was 73.11⁻¹ in the natural cloud dataset. Evidence of precipitation-sized particles was detected in 21% (7 of 33) of the clouds, and precipitation below cloud base was detected in 6% (2 of 33) of the clouds.A comparison of the Alberta cloud characteristics to the cumulus clouds from different locations showed that there are some distinct differences between Alberta clouds and the clouds from the other regions.     

Rainwater chemistry and bulk atmospheric deposition in a tropical semiarid ecosystem: the Brazilian Caatinga

We assessed the rainwater chemistry, the potential sources of its main inorganic components and bulk atmospheric deposition in a rural tropical semiarid region in the Brazilian Caatinga. Rainfall samples were collected during two wet seasons, one during an extremely dry year (2012) and one during a year with normal rainfall (2013). According to measurements of the main inorganic ions in the rainwater (H⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^?, NO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2?), no differences were observed in the total ionic charge between the two investigated wet seasons. However, Ca²⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? were significant higher in the wetter year (p < 0.05) which was attributed to anthropogenic activities, such as organic fertilizer applications. The total ionic contents of the rainwater suggested a dominant marine contribution, accounting for 76 % and 58 % of the rainwater in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The sum of the non-sea-salt fractions of Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ were 19 % and 33 % in 2012 and 2013, and the nitrogenous compounds accounted for 2.8 % and 6.0 % of the total ionic contents in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The ionic ratios suggested that Mg²⁺ was probably the main neutralizing constituent of rainwater acidity, followed by Ca²⁺. We observed a low bulk atmospheric deposition of all major rainwater ions during both wet seasons. Regarding nitrogen deposition, we estimated slightly lower annual inputs than previous global estimates. Our findings contribute to the understanding of rainfall chemistry in northeastern Brazil by providing baseline information for a previously unstudied tropical semiarid ecosystem.     

Kinetics of the reactions of hydroxyl radicals with aliphatic ethers studied under simulated atmospheric conditions: Temperature dependences of the rate coefficients

Rate coefficients have been measured for the reactions of hydroxyl radicals with five aliphatic ethers over the temperature range 242–328 K. Competitive studies were carried out in an atmospheric flow reactor in which the hydroxyl radicals were generated by the photolysis of methyl nitrite in the presence of air containing nitric oxide. The reaction of OH with 2,3-dimethyl-butane was used as the reference reaction and the following Arrhenius parameters have been obtained for the reactions: OH+RORproducts:

Asian dust depositions over the Asian region during March 2010 estimated by ADAM2

The Asian Dust Aerosol Model 2 with the MM5 meteorological model has been employed to estimate the dust emission, dust concentration, and wet and dry deposition of dust in the Asian region for the month of March in 2010. It is found that the model simulates quite reasonably the dust (PM₁₀) concentrations both in the dust source region and the downstream region of Korea. The starting and ending times of most dust events and their peak concentration occurrence times are well simulated. The monthly mean maximum surface dust concentration (PM₁₀) is found to be 267???g?m^?3 in the domain of central northern China (CNC). Monthly total maximum dust emission of more than 32?t km^?2 and that of deposition of more than 25.4?t km^?2 (dry deposition of 24?t km^?2 and wet deposition of 1.4?t km^?2) are found to occur in the domain CNC, whereas the monthly mean minimum surface dust concentration (PM₁₀) is found to be 0.2???g?m^?3 in the domain of the Tibetan Plateau, where the monthly total dust emission (4?kg?km^?2) and the monthly total dust deposition (9?kg?km^?2) are found to be minimum. This monthly total dust deposition of 9?kg?km^?2 (dry deposition of 7?kg?km^?2 and wet deposition of 2?kg?km^?2) is as large as 2.25 times of that of emission (4?kg?km^?2), suggesting net dust influx toward the Tibetan Plateau from the surrounding dust source regions. It is also found that the ratio of the total dust deposition to the total dust emission in the source region increases toward the downstream direction from 0.4 in the upstream source region of Taklimakan to 0.80 in the downstream source region of northeastern China. More than 90% of the total dust deposition is found to be contributed by dry deposition due to the lack of precipitation in the dust source region. The monthly mean dust concentration (PM₁₀) is found to decrease with distance away from the dust source region. The monthly mean dust concentration of 62???g?m^?3 over the Yellow Sea (YES) decreases to 4.3???g?m^?3 over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean (NWP). The monthly total dust deposition in the downstream region is also found to decrease away from the source region from 2.33?t km^?2 (dry deposition of 1.36?t km^?2 and wet deposition of 0.97?t km^?2) over the domain YES to 1.45?t km^?2 (dry deposition of 0.16?t km^?2 and wet deposition of 1.30?t km^?2) over the domain NWP. A large amount of the total dust deposition over the seas is contributed by wet deposition (more than 90%), causing a small decreasing rate of the total dust deposition with distance from the source region. The estimated dust deposition could adversely impact the eco-environmental system significantly in the downstream regions of the Asian dust source region, especially over the seas.     

Manganese in coastal rainwater: speciation,photochemistry and deposition to seawater

Concentrations of manganese in 56 rain events in Wilmington, NC, USA rainwater from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 were 11 ± 3 nM for dissolved Mn and 1.2 ± 0.4 nM for particulate Mn. Concentrations of both forms of Mn were higher in terrestrial storms relative to marine events. This observation along with the positive correlation of Mn with pollutant indicators suggests anthropogenic inputs to rain at this location, as has been observed at other locations. The ratio of Mn_part/Mn_diss was threefold larger in summer relative to winter rain, which matched the increase of particulate to dissolved Fe in rainwater suggesting influence of Saharan dust during the summer. Like Fe in rain, Mn undergoes photoreduction in rainwater, which has also been shown to be important in Mn cycling in seawater. The flux of Mn removed from the atmosphere via wet deposition is 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ moles m⁻² yr⁻¹ at this location, which is approximately twice the flux reported from two rainwater studies conducted in the early 1980s on Bermuda. Atmospheric input of Mn to the oceans is important because Mn like Fe is an essential and potentially limiting nutrient. Experiments mixing authentic rainwater and seawater demonstrate that rainwater dissolved Mn does not rapidly precipitate in seawater suggesting wet deposition is an important source of soluble, stable Mn to surface seawater.