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Cloudwater and Precipitation Chemistry at Popocatepetl Volcano: A High Elevation Site
Author(s) -
Baez A. P.,
Belmont R.D.,
Azpra E.,
Torres M. B.,
Padilla H. G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1997.00472425002600010035x
Subject(s) - orographic lift , fumarole , rainwater harvesting , volcano , precipitation , air mass (solar energy) , cold front , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , atmospheric sciences , geology , meteorology , geochemistry , geography , ecology , physics , geotechnical engineering , boundary layer , biology , thermodynamics
Cloud and rain water were collected at Tlamacas (3900 m above sea level), a site on the northern flanks of Popocatepetl volcano, 70 km southeast of Mexico City. Ten cloud events were sampled in September 1992 (five from 9–11 September, five from 29–30 September), eight from 19–21 July (1994) and three from 25–26 July (1995). During 9 to 11 September, cloud production was orographic, while during 29 to 30 September cloud production was associated with a cold front. On 19 to 21 July 1994 and 25 to 26 July 1995, cloud production was orographic. The results showed that cloudwater had a higher ionic concentration than rainwater, with two exceptions, in agreement with previous studies. The ionic concentrations in cloud and rain water seem to indicate a clear dependency on air mass origin and trajectories. Clouds in which back trajectories show passage over zones with little or no pollution produced cloudwater with low ionic concentrations (29 and 30 September). On 10 Sept. 1992, the winds had a strong easterly component, eliminating significant contamination from crater fumaroles. This meteorological situation yielded extremely clean rainwater.