Effect of storm type on rainwater composition in southeastern North Carolina

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00166a003· OSTI ID:6903949

Willey, J D; Bennett, R I; Kornegay, C R; Perlotto, M S; Moore, B M

Rainwater composition in Wilmington, NC, varies as a function of storm origin or type. During 1983-1987, the most acidic rain and highest sulfate and nitrate concentrations occurred in rain from local summer thunderstorms, followed by rain from continental frontal storms, with the least acidic rain coming from coastal storms. Seasonal variation was observed for rainwater pH (although not for sulfate or nitrate concentrations) from continental storms, with the most acidic rain in the summer. Thunderstorm nitrate concentrations were high enough to affect seasonal averages for nitrate concentration because thunderstorms are a warm-season type of rain. Coastal storm rainwater did not show seasonal changes; this type of rainwater is similar in pH, sulfate, and nitrate concentrations to rainwater in remote areas of the world. Sulfate from sea spray was a small percentage of the total sulfate except in coastal storm rainwater. Large annual differences in rainwater composition were observed.

• Research Organization: Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6903949
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 22:1; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DISASTERS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION IV
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH CAROLINA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
RAIN
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
STORMS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
USA
VARIATIONS