Precipitation composition and wet deposition temporal pattern in Central Serbia for the period from 1998 to 2004

Abstract

Bulk samples collected on a daily basis at three principal meteorological stations in central Serbia were analyzed on chloride (Cl(-)), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), sulfate (SO(4)(2-)), sodium (Na(+)), ammonium (NH(4)(+)), potassium (K(+)), calcium (Ca(2+)), and magnesium (Mg(2+)) in addition to precipitation amount, pH and conductivity measurements over the period 1998-2004. The data were subjected to variety of analyses (linear regression, principal component analysis, time series analysis) to characterize precipitation chemistry in the study area. The most abundant ion was SO(2-)(4) with annual volume weighted mean concentration of 242 microeq L(-1). Neutralization of precipitation acidity occurs both as a result of the dissolution of alkaline compounds containing Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and K(+) as well as the absorption of ammonia. The ratio of SO(4)(2-)/NO(3)(-) was above 5, which indicated that the combustion process of low-grade domestic lignite for electricity generation from coal-fired thermal power plants was the main source of pollution in the investigated area. A considerable mean annual bulk wet deposition of SO(4)-S determined by precipitation amount and concentrations of sulfate in the precipitation was calculated to be 12-35 kg ha(-1).

Potassium Control of Plant Functions: Ecological and Agricultural Implications

“…Although the deposition of K + from energy production and industrial plants has decreased in some European countries [ 255 ], that of K + from agricultural activities is very high in some developing countries, such as Brazil, reaching 55% of total K + deposition [ 256 ]. K + deposition linked to industrial and mainly agricultural activities can be higher than deposition from natural processes [ 257 , 258 ], such as sea spray [ 259 , 260 ]. The inputs of K + from atmospheric deposition have a determinant role in K + balances of forests, counteracting the loss of K + from leaching, which is favored by N deposition, due indirectly to soil pH decrease and soil degradation and directly to the competition with ammonium for the occupation of the exchangeable complex [ 261 , 262 ].…”

Potassium: a neglected nutrient in global change

“…deposition of K from energy production and industrial plants has decreased in some European countries (Ruoho-Airola & Salminen, 2003). Some studies have observed that K deposition, linked to industrial and, frequently, agricultural activities, can represent a higher proportion than that from natural processes (Ferm & Hultberg, 1999;Golobocanin et al 2009) such as sea spray (Poor et al, 2006;Prathibha et al, 2010).…”

“…The atmospheric deposition of K originates from natural processes such as sea spray (Appendix S1) but also from agricultural activities and human industrial activities such as fertilizer and cement production, petrochemicals, the steel industry, and coal combustion (Klumpp et al, 2002;Walker et al, 2003;Urban et al, 2012). In some areas human activities can contribute a higher proportion of K deposition than natural processes (Ferm & Hultberg, 1999;Golobocanin et al, 2009). However, we are far 57.7 x 10 9 t K (1,2) (1-2% of total soil K) 0.066 x 10 9 t K Plant available (in soil solution plus exchangeable) 57.7 10 9 t K (1,2) (1-2% of total soil K) nonexchangeable 3773-7662 x 10 9 t K (1,2)…”

Changes in soil potassium and environmental impacts in the Yangtze River basin in China over the past 30 years

“…The availability of K in ecosystems also depends on K inputs via atmospheric deposition, which can originate both through natural processes and human and agricultural activities, such as energy production, transportation, construction-materials production and fertilization (Walker, Young, Crittenden & Zhang, 2003;Urban et al, 2012). Golobocanin, Zujic, Milenkovic & Miljevic (2009) demonstrated that human activities contribute a higher proportion of atmospheric deposition than natural processes. Jordi & Josep (2015) indicated that current levels of K fertilization and atmospheric deposition of K (0.066 × 10 9 t year -1 ) are very low compared with global available soil K (57.7 × 10 9 t).…”