Chemical composition of wet precipitation in Irbid, Jordan

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of atmospheric chemistry 2000, Vol.35 (1), p.47-57
Main Authors: AL-MOMANI, I. F, MOMANI, K. A, JARADAT, Q. M
Format: Article
Language:English
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
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Summary: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]
ISSN:0167-7764
1573-0662
DOI:10.1023/A:1006277122888