Sources, Ionic Composition and Acidic Properties of Bulk and Wet Atmospheric Deposition in the Eastern Middle Adriatic Region

• Published in: Toxics (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 7; p. 551
• Main Authors: Gluščić, Valentina, Žužul, Silva, Pehnec, Gordana, Jakovljević, Ivana, Smoljo, Iva, Godec, Ranka, Bešlić, Ivan, Milinković, Andrea, Alempijević, Saranda Bakija, Frka, Sanja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23.06.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Acid deposition; Acidification; Acidity; Air pollution; Analysis; Anions; Anthropogenic factors; Calcium; Calcium ions; Climate change; Coasts; deposited matter; Deposition; Dust; dust intrusion; Environmental aspects; Heavy metals; Human influences; Intrusion; Ions; Magnesium; major ions; Neutralization; open-fire events; Outdoor air quality; Pollutants; Precipitation; Properties; Seasonal variations; Sedimentation and deposition; Sodium; Wet deposition; Croatia; major ions; open-fire events; deposited matter; dust intrusion
• ISSN: 2305-6304; 2305-6304
• DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070551

Atmospheric bulk and wet deposition samples were collected simultaneously at the background coastal site in the Eastern Middle Adriatic region in order to assess the impact of major ions (Cl , NO , SO , Na , K , NH , Mg , Ca ) on deposition acidity and distinguish the main sources. Higher ion levels were observed during the cold period, especially for Cl , Na , Mg and K . Dust intrusion caused significant increases in levels of Ca , Mg and K , while open-fire events increased the levels of K . Deposition acidity showed seasonal differences as well as the influence of dust intrusion. Low ionic balance ratios indicated acidic deposition properties and the presence of organic anions. The highest neutralization ability was found for Ca , Na and NH . Several natural (marine, crustal) and anthropogenic sources were determined, as well as the formation of secondary aerosols. Wet deposition was characterized by higher contribution of sea salt fraction compared to bulk deposition and lower contribution of crustal fraction.