Spatial Variation of the Precipitation Chemistry in the Thrace Region of Turkey

Abstract

Pollutants affect not only the environment in which they originate since they are also transported by air currents to other locations. For this reason, air pollution is a global problem for all countries and the air and water quality need to be monitored carefully. More information on precipitation chemistry is required to determine the source of pollution as well as its effects on the ecosystems. In this study, precipitation chemistry has been analyzed for the first time by using simple bulk collectors located at four different sites in Northwest Turkey for a period of two years. About 650 sequential rainwater samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, anions such as SO2-4,NO-3 Cl-, and cations such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and NH+4.The selected sites were under the effect of different environmental factors. Our results showed that the highest SO2-4 NO-3 concentrations were measured in the Northwest of the research area. Additionally, it has been found that Ca2+ ions are abundant within all rainwater samples. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.