Changes in rainwater acidity associated with closure of a copper smelter
Journal Article
·
· J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)
The influence of the sulfur dioxide emissions from a large copper smelter in Tacoma, Washington was studied by measuring the chemical composition of rainwater collected upwind and downwind of the source, before and after permanent closure of the smelter in 1985. Data analysis was based on a statistical model that accounted for variability associated with location of 25 sampling sites within three geographic regions, smelter operation, 10 individual rain events observed over 2 years, and measurement uncertanity. After smelter closure the unwind-downwind differences in mean hydrogen ion and excess sulfate ion concentrations within a 600 km/sup 2/ region, extending to 25 km downwind of the source, had decreased significantly compared to the preclosure value. No significant decreases in mean ion concentrations were observed farther downwind in the Seattle urban area. During five events sampled prior to smelter closure, we estimate that an average of 4.4% (range 0.7--8.6%) of the sulfur dioxide emitted by the smelter was wet deposited as sulfate ion within a 3600 km/sup 2/ area extending 60 km downwind of the source. copyright American Geophysical Union 1988
- Research Organization:
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle
- OSTI ID:
- 6995977
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 93:D6; ISSN JGREA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION X
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
RAIN WATER
SMELTERS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
VARIATIONS
WASHINGTON
WATER
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION X
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
RAIN WATER
SMELTERS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
VARIATIONS
WASHINGTON
WATER