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Precipitation chemistry at Turrialba, Costa Rica
Author(s) -
Hendry Charles D.,
Berish Cory W.,
Edgerton Eric S.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr020i011p01677
Subject(s) - precipitation , nutrient , environmental chemistry , environmental science , mineralogy , volcano , hydrology (agriculture) , chemistry , atmospheric sciences , geology , geography , geochemistry , meteorology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Bulk precipitation samples were collected weekly at Turrialba, Costa Rica, from March 1979 through March 1981 and analyzed for p H, conductivity, major cations and anions, nutrient (N and P) species, and 12 trace metals. Results indicated that Costa Rican precipitation contains relatively low levels of acidity, nutrients, and minerals. For example, during the precipitation years March 1979 to March 1980 and April 1980 to April 1981, volume‐weighted mean specific conductances were 4.88 and 4.82 μS/cm, respectively. Precipitation p H values ranged from 4.81 to 6.35 and the volume‐weighted mean p H was 5.34 over the 2‐year study. On the basis of equivalent ratios, excess [SO 4 2− ] was found to be the principal acidic anion, with only small possible contributions from excess [Cl − ] or NO 3 − . Marine‐ derived aerosol accounted for virtually all of the Na + , Mg 2− and Cl − deposited in Turrialba rain and was a minor contributor (3–15%) to the K + , Ca 2+ , and SO 4 2− loadings. Excess [SO 4 2− ] comprised 85% of the total SO 4 2− and may arise in Costa Rican precipitation due to long‐range transport, biogenic sources, or local volcanic emissions. Highest concentrations of minerals and nutrients were observed during the low rainfall period of early spring, which coincided with increased agricultural activities. Very low levels of trace metals were observed in the precipitation.