Estimating the atmospheric input of pollutants into a watershed

Abstract

Estimating the atmospheric input of ions to a watershed has traditionally been accomplished through either the extrapolation of point measurements of deposition or the integration of model estimated deposition. This paper examines the characteristics of precipitation chemistry on the eastern seaboard of the United States where precipitation quality could conceivably affect fish habitats in estuaries. The measured values presented here have been extracted from the data base of the Utility Acid Precipitation Sampling Program (UAPSP) precipitation chemistry network. These data illustrate the nature of ionic deposition at four points on the eastern seabord. The deposition of H' (acidity) is shown to be dependent upon the amount of sulfate and, to a lesser degree, nitrate in the precipitation. It is also shown that the quantity of ionic deposition on a storm-by-storm basis was influenced by the amount of water deposition but the relationship was not very strong. Thus the use of water deposition as a surrogate for ionic deposition is not justified in these watersheds. Finally, it is shown that the deposition of H + , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , and NH 4 + were not clearly seasonal. While a large percentage of total ionic deposition occurred in a small number of precipitation events, these exceptional events were not confined to a particular season.