Large-scale spatial variability of major ions in the atmospheric wet deposition along the China–Antarctica transect (31°N–69°S)

Abstract

Twenty-two atmospheric wet deposition samples were collected along the large-scale transect from China to Antarctica, and the major ion components as well as their sources were analysed. It is the first time that chemical composition variation of precipitation has been investigated on such a large-scale transect. The results show that the precipitations exhibit near-neutral pH on the average. On the whole, ionic levels on an equivalent basis are presented as Cl−>Na+>Mg2+> >Ca2+>K+>S2−4>NA−3, and ionic contents of rainfall are generally higher compared with values of snowfall. Ionic concentrations vary greatly on the study transect, and the values of the Northern Hemisphere are relatively higher. Both enrichment factor and principal component analyses reveal that Cl−, Na+, K+ and Mg2+ are mainly related to sea salt, namely, the marine source. The good correlations between marine-sourced ions and wind speed indicate that seawater sprays are important sources of precipitation ions. Land-based sources, for example, human activities, are the primary sources of NO−3,NH+4 and Ca2+. SO2−4 partly originates from sea salt, but anthropogenic and biogenic sources are also important contributors. Backward trajectories illustrate well the different main sources and transport routes of the precipitation ions.

Keywords

• atmospheric wet deposition
• major ion
• source identification