Mineral Composition of Rainwater

Abstract

Analyses of 62 rainwater samples collected at the University of Illinois Airport near Savoy, Ill., showed that on the basis of equivalent concentrations, the chloride is equal to the sum of sodium and potassium. Sodium was three times the potassium. Calcium plus magnesium was 10 times the chloride and equal to the sum of the bicarbonate and sulfate. The sulfate was equal to twice the sum of ammonium and nitrate. These results indicate salt from sea mist to constitute a negligible proportion of the mineral content. They also indicate the presence of air pollution by the combustion of fuel.