The chemical composition and fluxes of atmospheric wet deposition at four sites in South Africa

Conradie, Engela H; Zyl, P. G. van; Pienaar, Jacobus J.; Beukes, J. P.; Galy‐Lacaux, Corinne; Venter, Andrew D.; Mkhatshwa, Gabi

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.07.033

Cited by 84 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Therefore, only synopses of the site descriptions, taken from the aforementioned paper, are given here. The DEBITS project is an international long-term project that mainly focuses on measuring atmospheric deposition of pollutants (Galy-Lacaux et al, 2003;Mphepya et al, 2004Mphepya et al, , 2006Conradie et al, 2016 Amersfoort is situated in a grassland biome and is affected by anthropogenic activities on the Mpumalanga Highveld. Louis Trichardt is a rural site that is predominantly used for agricultural purposes within the savannah biome.…”

Section: Welgegundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial, temporal and source contribution assessments of black carbon over the northern interior of South Africa

et al. 2017

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Abstract. After carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), aerosol black carbon (BC) is considered to be the second most important contributor to global warming. This paper presents equivalent black carbon (eBC) (derived from an optical absorption method) data collected from three sites in the interior of South Africa where continuous measurements were conducted, i.e. Elandsfontein, Welgegund and Marikana, as well elemental carbon (EC) (determined by evolved carbon method) data at five sites where samples were collected once a month on a filter and analysed offline, i.e. Louis Trichardt, Skukuza, Vaal Triangle, Amersfoort and Botsalano.Analyses of eBC and EC spatial mass concentration patterns across the eight sites indicate that the mass concentrations in the South African interior are in general higher than what has been reported for the developed world and that different sources are likely to influence different sites. The mean eBC or EC mass concentrations for the background sites (Welgegund, Louis Trichardt, Skukuza, Botsalano) and sites influenced by industrial activities and/or nearby settlements (Elandsfontein, Marikana, Vaal Triangle and Amersfoort) ranged between 0.7 and 1.1, and 1.3 and 1.4 µg m −3 , respectively.

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Section: Welgegundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial, temporal and source contribution assessments of black carbon over the northern interior of South Africa

et al. 2017

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“…Therefore, when considering that recent studies have indicated record-high frequencies of nucleation events in this region [42,43], these species are important. Amines can also be considered to be important in rain water chemistry for a region for which an increase in rain water pH was observed during the last number of years [41]. The relative abundance of nitriles, amides, and pyridine derivatives reflects the large-scale influence of household combustion in the region and its impacts on general air quality and climate change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Almeida et al [18], for example, recently indicated that dimethyl amine increased the particle growth formation rates by more than 1000-fold when compared to ammonia. Therefore, when considering that recent studies have indicated (a) an increase in the acidity of rain water samples collected during the last decade over the South African Highveld [41], as well as (b) record-high frequencies of nucleation events occurring in this region [42,43], these species are important.…”

Section: Aminesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterising Particulate Organic Nitrogen at A Savannah-Grassland Region in South Africa

et al. 2019

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Although atmospheric organic N compounds are considered to be important, especially in new particle formation and their contribution to brown carbon, these species are not that well understood. This can be partially attributed to their chemical complexity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of organic N compounds utilising comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GCxGC-TOFMS) in aerosol samples that were collected at a savanna-grassland background region and to determine the possible sources. 135 atmospheric organic N compounds were tentatively characterised and semi-quantified, which included amines, nitriles, amides, urea, pyridine derivatives, amino acids, nitro-and nitroso compounds, imines, cyanates and isocyanates, and azo compounds. Amines contributed to 51% of the semi-quantified concentrations, while nitriles, pyridine derivatives, and amides comprised 20%, 11%, and 8%, respectively, of the semi-quantified concentrations. Amines, nitriles, amides, and pyridine derivatives concentrations were higher during the dry season, which were attributed to meteorology and open biomass burning. Anthropogenic sources impacting air masses measured at Welgegund, as well as regional agricultural activities, were considered as the major sources of amines, while the regional influence of household combustion was most likely the main source of nitriles, amides, and pyridine derivatives. The other organic N species were most likely related to the influence of local and regional agricultural activities.

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“…Since Na + is known to be the best tracer for seawater, and assuming all Na + is of marine origin, it was used as reference element. In order to calculate the EF values and to quantify the sea salt (SSF) and non-sea salt (NSSF) contributions to rainwater, the following equations were used (Keene et al 1986;Kulshrestha et al 1996;Conradie et al 2016):…”

Section: Origins Of Major Ions In Rainwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

The risk of cross-border pollution and the influence of regional climate on the rainwater chemistry in the Southern Carpathians, Romania

Keresztesi

Niţă

Bîrsan

et al. 2020

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The aim of this study is the assessment of rainwater composition, regarding the various sources of major ions and heavy metals, taking into account the characteristic atmospheric circulations and the main air mass transport routes. Rainwater samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, major ions, and heavy metals. At all sampling sites, the most abundant anions were SO 4 2ā nd Clˉ, while the dominant cations were Ca 2+ and Mg 2+. Regarding heavy metals, the dominance of Pb and Cd was found. The contribution of soil dust from the mining activities and the dissolution of CaCO 3 , MgCO 3 , and CaSO 4 •2H 2 O in the rainwater explains the high concentrations of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and SO 4 2−. The overall precipitation contamination with heavy metals at the three sampling sites was assessed by the degree of contamination, showing that Pb and Cd presents the highest risks of all heavy metals. The values of toxicity potential suggested an elevated risk for human health in case of rainwater ingestion, especially in rural areas. Spearman correlation and PCA indicated that the chemical characteristic of the rainwater is primarily controlled by sources such as agricultural activities, mixed and crustal sources, traffic, and other anthropogenic, industrial influences, mining activities, smelting operations, coal combustion, and metal production.

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The chemical composition and fluxes of atmospheric wet deposition at four sites in South Africa

Cited by 84 publications

References 35 publications

Spatial, temporal and source contribution assessments of black carbon over the northern interior of South Africa

Spatial, temporal and source contribution assessments of black carbon over the northern interior of South Africa

Characterising Particulate Organic Nitrogen at A Savannah-Grassland Region in South Africa

The risk of cross-border pollution and the influence of regional climate on the rainwater chemistry in the Southern Carpathians, Romania

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