A simple method for the determination of chemical deposition

Abstract

Since acid rain is a very serious problem in air chemistry, simultaneous sample collections over a wide area or remote sites is often necessary. For this purpose, simple and less expensive samplers are preferable. In this study, a polypropylene cylinder of 117 mm dia. was used to examine for the samplers of total chemical deposition (wet and dry deposition) for one month and in regard to the following: 1) size of sampler, 2) amount of water previously added, 3) height of sampler, 4) sampling period and others. It was concluded that this sampler could be satisfactorily used fbr the field determination of sodium, chloride and sulfate ions. A comparison was made for 22 sites throughout Japan, using this sampler in the observation fields of meteorological observatories, in June and October, 1987. The amount of nss-sulfate {SO₄^2--Na⁺×SO₄^2-(seasalt)/Na⁺(seasalt)} was calculated for each site. It was found high in industrialized areas of the Pacific side of Honshu I, and at Kagoshima, where amounts of nss-chloride are also high, possibly indicating the effect of volcanic debris from Mt. Sakurajima.