Cloudwater chemistry from ten sites in North America

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 22; no. 9; pp. 1018 - 1026
• Main Authors: Weathers, Kathleen C, Likens, Gene E, Bormann, F. Herbert, Bicknell, Susan H, Bormann, Bernard T, Daube, Bruce C, Eaton, John S, Galloway, James N, Keene, William C, et al, .
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01-09-1988
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Water treatment and pollution; North America; Atmospheric fallout; Methodology; Content; America; Pollution source; Check; Acid rain; Water pollution; North America; Acid mist
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00174a004

Ground-level cloudwater and rainwater samples were collected from 10 non urban sites for 2 years. Samples were analysed for pH, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, ammonia, sulphate, nitrate, chloride, lead, copper, zinc, formate and acetate. Cloudwater in the eastern U.S.A. had higher levels of nitrate and sulphate and lower pH than those of western U.S.A. and Puerto Rico. Maine had the highest nitrate and sulphate levels. Mean cloudwater concentrations of hydrogen ion, nitrate and sulphate were approximately 3-7 times greater than mean rain concentrations. Cloudwater formate and acetate concentrations were similar at sites in western and eastern U.S.A. suggesting natural rather than anthropogenic sources. There are 48 references.