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abstract 523

Atmospheric input of contaminants to a small Mediterranean basin

Author(s): C. Salles, N. Rico-Caicedo, J.L. Seidel, B.Picot, M.G.Tournoud
Université Montpellier II - HYDROSCIENCES (UMR 5569 CNRS-IRD-UM2-UM1), F- 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

Keyword(s): precipitations, nutrient deposition, trace elements, wet and bulk deposition, deposition rate

Article:

Poster:

Session: Poster session 2

AbstractRainwater chemistry was monitored during a two years period (Nov.

2003 – Oct. 2005) for quantification of the atmospheric input over a small (70 km2) rural Mediterranean watershed.

A refrigerated wet-only precipitation collector with a nearby bulk sampler were installed at one station. Two more

bulk samplers were installed, near the top of the basin and close to the basin outlet. Major element contents (HCO3,

Cl, NO3, SO4, Ca, Mg, Na, and K) were determined by Ion Chromatography, nutrients content (PO43-, NO3-

,NO2- and NH4+) determined following APHA standard and trace element contents (Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co,

Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, U, V and Zn) by ICP-MS. During the observation period, a total of 83 rain samples

were collected and analyzed for wet and dry deposits determination.
The dataset obtained from the field study is

presented and discussed. The primary objectives were i) to compare wet and bulk deposition, ii) to evaluate the

temporal and spatial variation in rainwater for contaminants, and iii) to estimate the annual atmospheric input to the

basin, derived from natural or anthropogenic origins and to identify potential pollution from rain.
Finally, the

possible origins and the main factors affecting the concentrations of the measured species are discussed. The

estimation of the precipitation inputs is a part of the diagnostic study of the chemical and microbiological fluxes

contribution of the watershed to the Thau lagoon.

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Atmospheric input of contaminants to a small Mediterranean basin