Chemical composition of wet precipitation in Irbid, Jordan

• Published in: Journal of atmospheric chemistry Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 47 - 57
• Main Authors: AL-MOMANI, I. F, MOMANI, K. A, JARADAT, Q. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 2000; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anions; Anthropogenic factors; Calcite; Cations; Chemical composition and interactions. Ionic interactions and processes; Chemicals; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Jordan, Irbid; Meteorology; Neutralization; Precipitation; Rain; Jordan; Asia; Jordan (country); Irbid Jordan; Irbid, Jordan; ISW, Jordan; Mineralogical analysis; Atmospheric chemistry; Correlation analysis; Rain water; pH; Acidity; Chemical composition; Urban area; Wet deposition; Neutralization
• ISSN: 0167-7764; 1573-0662
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1006277122888

Rainwater samples were collected in Irbid city using 24 hour sampling periods from December 1996 to April 1998. All samples were analyzed for major cations (Na^sup +^, K^sup +^, Ca^sup 2+^ and Mg^sup 2+^), major anions (Cl^sup -^, NO^sub 3^^sup -^ and SO^sub 4^^sup 2-^) and pH. High levels of Ca^sup 2+^ and SO^sub 4^^sup 2-^ were observed. Together, Ca^sup 2+^ and SO^sub 4^^sup 2-^ made up more than 52.4% of the total ion mass, while Ca^sup 2+^ alone contributed over 39.0% of the total cation. The majority of the rain samples collected had pH values higher than 5.6. The average pH was 6.4±0.9. High values of pH are attributed to the neutralization by natural alkaline local dusts which contain large fractions of calcite. Correlation and mineralogical analyses indicated that Ca^sup 2+^, K^sup +^ and fractions of Na^sup +^, SO^sub 4^^sup 2-^ and Mg^sup 2+^ are of crustal origin. Results of the present study suggested that the atmospheric composition in the city is strongly influenced by natural sources rather than anthropogenic.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]