Precipitation chemistry at Turrialba, Costa Rica

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR020i011p01677· OSTI ID:5204313

Hendry, C D; Berish, C W; Edgerton, E S

Bulk precipitation samples were collected weekly at Turrialba, Costa Rica, from March 1979 through March 1981. The samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, major cations and anions, nutrient N and P species and 12 trace metals. Precipitation was found to contain low levels of minerals, nutrients and acidity. During the spring period of low rainfall and increased agricultural activity, high levels of chemical constituents were observed. Low rainfall rates at this time resulted in relatively low depositions. The volume weighted pH over the 2 year period was 5.34 and ranged from 4.81 to 6.35. On the basis of equivalent ratios, excess sulfate was determined to be the principal acidic anion. Excess sulfate comprised 85% of the total sulfate and may result from long-range transport, biogenic emission, or sulfurous emission from nearby volcanic fumaroles. 27 references, 5 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Florida Univ., Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 5204313
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Vol. 20:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
PH VALUE
COSTA RICA
ACID RAIN
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
LONG-RANGE TRANSPORT
METALS
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS
SULFATES
VOLCANOES
CENTRAL AMERICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
LATIN AMERICA
MASS TRANSFER
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)