Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics and sources of atmospheric composition based on precipitation chemistry in the Shiyang River Basin, Northwestern China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Through collected precipitation samples continuously to research the precipitation chemical characteristics and the water vapor source in Shiyang River Basin, Northwestern China, a total of 121 precipitation samples had been collected in the Shiyang River Basin from July 2013 to July 2014. The results showed that, during the period of sampling, the variation range of pH value of precipitation ranged from 6.62 to 8.53 in Shiyang River Basin and the average was 7.46. The EC values ranged from 17.28 to 787.00 μs/cm, with a mean 186.66 μs/cm. Ca2+ and Na+ dominated cations and accounted for 71.80% of total cations composition, while SO4 2− and NO3 − dominated anions with a contribution of 82.18%. The main ionic sources are local dust aerosols and the dust from Central Asia and Northwestern China arid regions brought by the westerly, and the back trajectories also supported it. Back trajectories suggested that the air mass arrived in Shiyang River Basin mainly from the dust sources region in Central or West Asia or Northwestern China through westerly circulation in dry season, while from the Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean through monsoon circulation in wet season. The precipitation can be divided into three types based on the vector of water vapor transportation: the monsoon precipitation, the westerly precipitation, and the interaction precipitation (precipitation influenced both by monsoon and westerly). The type of interaction precipitation was major precipitation patterns in study area, and the westerly precipitation came next. The results are also helpful for further understanding the air pollution situation caused by dust events in study area and providing scientific basis for the effective prevention and control of atmospheric pollution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aherne J, Farrell EP (2002) Deposition of sulphur, nitrogen and acidity in precipitation over Ireland: chemistry, spatial distribution and long-term trends. Atmos Environ 36(8):1379–1389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Khashman OA (2005) Ionic composition of wet precipitation in the Petra region, Jordan. Atmos Res 78(1):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barras VJI, Simmonds I (2008) Synoptic controls upon d18O in southern Tasmanian episodic events. J Geophys Res 102(C12):2681–2687

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvo AI, Olmo FJ, Lyamani H, Alados-Arboledas L, Castro A, Fernández-Raga M, Fraile R (2010) Chemical composition of wet precipitation at the background EMEP station in Víznar (Granada, Spain) (2002–2006). Atmos Res 96(2):408–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng XJ, Huang M (1998) Y.A classification analysis of precipitation chemistry characteristics. Climate and environment research 3(1):83–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Eneroth K, Holmén K, Berg T, Schmidbauer N, Solberg S (2007) Springtime depletion of tropospheric ozone, gaseous elemental mercury and non-methane hydrocarbons in the European Arctic, and its relation to atmospheric transport. Atmos Environ 41(38):8511–8526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan HB, Wei H, Zhuang M, Kosuke W (1999) Acidity and chemistry of bulk precipitation, through fall and stemflow in a Chinese fir plantation in Fujian, China. For Ecol Manag 122(3):243–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo XF, Cui Y, Wang KY, He QS, Wang XM (2015) Chemical characteristics of 3-year atmospheric precipitation in summer, Taiyuan. Environ Sci 36(2):387–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuer K, Tonnessen KA, Ingersoll GP (2000) Comparison of precipitation chemistry in the Central Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA. Atmos Environ 34(11):1713–1722

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Wang Y, Zhang L (2008) Long-term trend of chemical composition of wet atmospheric precipitation during 1986–2006 at Shenzhen City, China. Atmos Environ 42(16):3740–3750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Y, Liu X, Bai J, Shih K, Zeng EY, Cheng H (2013) Assessing heavy metal pollution in the surface soils of a region that had undergone three decades of intense industrialization and urbanization. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20(9):6150–6159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hontoria C, Saa A, Almorox J, Cuadra L, Sanchez A, Gasco JM (2003) The chemical composition of precipitation in Madrid. Water Air Soil Pollut 146(1–4):35–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jain M, Kulshrestha UC, Sarkar AK, Parashar DC (2000) Influence of crustal aerosols on wet deposition at urban and rural sites in India. Atmos Environ 34(29):5129–5137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalnay E, Kanamitsu M, Kistler R, Collins W, Deaven D, Gandin L, Iredell M, Saha S, White G, Woollen J, Zhu Y, Leetmaa A, Reynolds B, Chelliah M, Ebisuzaki W, Higgins W, Janowiak J, Mo KC, Ropelewski C, Wang J, Jenne R, Joseph D (1996) The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 77(3):437–471

  • Kang S, Qin D, Mayewski PA, Sneed SB (2002) Chemical composition of fresh snow on Xixabangma peak, central Himalaya, during the summer monsoon season. J Glacio 48(161):337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang S, Zhang Q, Kaspari S, Qin D, Cong Z, Ren J, Mayewski PA (2007) Spatial and seasonal variations of elemental composition in Mt. Everest (Qomolangma) snow/firn. Atmos Environ 41(34):7208–7218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keene WC, Pszenny AA, Galloway JN, Hawley ME (1986) Sea-salt corrections and interpretation of constituent ratios in marine precipitation. J Geophys Res: Atmospheres 91(D6):6647–6658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khwaja HA, Husain L (1990) Chemical characterization of acid precipitation in Albany, New York. Atmos environ Part A General Topics 24(7):1869–1882

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kistler R, Kalnay E, Collins W, Saha S, White G, Woollen J, Chelliah M, Ebisuzaki W, Kanamitsu M, Kousky V, van den Dool H, Jenne R, Fiorino M (2001) The NCEP-NCAR 50-year reanalysis: monthly means CD-ROM and documentation. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 82(2):247–267

  • Lee BK, Hong SH, Lee DS (2000) Chemical composition of precipitation and wet deposition of major ions on the Korean peninsula. Atmos Environ 34(4):563–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Feng Q, Wang QJ, Song Y, Cheng A, Li J (2016a) Contribution from frozen soil meltwater to runoff in an in-land river basin under water scarcity by isotopic tracing in northwestern China. Glob Planet Chang 136:41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Zongxing, Feng, Qi, Wang Q J, Song Y, Li, Jianguo, Li, Yongge, Wang, Yamin. 2016b Quantitative evaluation on the influence from cryosphere meltwater on runoff in an inland river basin of China. Global and Planetary Change, DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2016.06.005

  • Li Zongxing, Feng Qi, Wang Q J , Song Yong, Li Jianguo, Li Yongge. 2016c The influence from the shrinking cryosphere and strengthening evopotranspiration on hydrologic process in a cold basin, Qilian Mountains. Global and Planetary Change, DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2016.06.017

  • Li ZX, Qi F, Wei L, Tingting W, Aifang C, Yan G, Bing J (2014) Study on the contribution of cryosphere to runoff in the cold alpine basin: a case study of Hulugou River basin in the Qilian Mountains. Glob Plane Cha 122:345–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, He Y, An W, Song L, Zhang W, Catto N, Yan W, Shijin W, Huancai L, Weihong C, Theakstone WH (2011) Climate and glacier change in southwestern China during the past several decades. Environ Res Lett 6(4):045404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, He Y, Pang H, Jia W, He X, Zhang N, Ning B, Yuan L, Song B, Theakstone WH (2009) Chemistry of snow deposited during the summer monsoon and in the winter season at Baishui glacier no. 1, Yulong mountain. China J Glacio 55(190):221–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Qi F, Li J, Pan Y, Wang T, Li L, Rui G (2015a) Environmental significance and hydrochemical processes at a cold alpine basin in the Qilian Mountains. Environ Earth Sci 73(8):4043–4052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li ZX, Qi F, Wei L, Tingting W, Xiaoyan G, Zongjie L, Yaoxaun S (2015b) The stable isotope evolution in Shiyi glacier system during the ablation period in the north of Tibetan Plateau, China. Quater Intern 380:262–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Li ZX, Qi F, Xiao-yan G, Yan G, Yan-hui P, Ting-ting W, Chun-tan H (2015c) The evolution and environmental significance of glaciochemistry during the ablation period in the north of Tibetan Plateau, China. Quater Intern 374:93–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li ZX, Yan G, Yamin W, Yanhui P, Jianguo L, Aifang C, Theakstone WH (2015d) Can monsoon moisture arrive in the Qilian Mountains in summer? Quarter Intern 358:113–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu X, Li LY, Li N, Yang G, Luo D, Chen J (2011) Chemical characteristics of spring rainwater of Xi’an city, NW China. Atmos Environ 45(28):5058–5063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma J, Zhang P, Zhu G, Wang Y, Edmunds WM, Ding Z, He J (2012) The composition and distribution of chemicals and isotopes in precipitation in the Shiyang River system, northwestern China. J Hydrol 436:92–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahlknecht J, Steinich B, De León IN (2004) Groundwater chemistry and mass transfers in the independence aquifer, Central Mexico, by using multivariate statistics and mass-balance models. Environ Geol 45(6):781–795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ming J, Zhang D, Kang S, Tian W (2007) Aerosol and fresh snow chemistry in the east Rongbuk glacier on the northern slope of Mt. Qomolangma (Everest). J Geophys Res: Atmospheres 112(D15)

  • Migliavacca D, Teixeira EC, Wiegand F, Machado ACM, Sanchez J (2005) Atmospheric precipitation and chemical composition of an urban site, Guaiba hydrographic basin, Brazil. Atmos Environ 39(10):1829–1844

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilles MA, Conley BE (2001) Changes in the chemistry of precipitation in the United States, 1981–1998. Water Air Soil Pollut 130(1–4):409–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okay C, Akkoyunlu BO, Tayanç M (2002) Composition of wet deposition in Kaynarca, Turkey. Environ Pollut 118(3):401–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Possanzini M, Buttini P, Di Palo V (1988) Characterization of a rural area in terms of dry and wet deposition. Sci Total Environ 74:111–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Safai PD, Rao PSP, Momin GA, Ali K, Chate DM, Praveen PS (2004) Chemical composition of precipitation during 1984–2002 at Pune, India. Atmos Environ 38(12):1705–1714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar BS, Balasubramanya N, Reddy MM (2008) Impact of industrialization on groundwater quality—a case study of Peenya industrial area, Bangalore, India. Environ Monit Assess 142(1–3):263–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha AB, Wake CP, Dibb JE, Whitlow SI (2002) Aerosol and precipitation chemistry at a remote Himalayan site in Nepal. Aerosol Sci & Tech 36(4):441–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR (1964) Abundance of chemical elements in the continental crust: a new table. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 28(8):1273–1285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermette SJ, Drake JJ, Landsberger S (1988) Intra-urban precipitation quality: Hamilton, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 38(1–2):37–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu FQ, Han J, Cheng ZJ (2010) Environmental pollution situation and control countermeasures of agriculture in Jiuquan. Environ Manag 1:83–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao ZM, Li P, Chen K, Sun R, Feng YC, Liu BS, Qiao CM (2015) Characteristics and sources of chemical composition of atmospheric precipitation in Tianjin. Res Environ Sci 28(7):1025–1030

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Z, Li Y, Tang Y, Han G (2009) Chemical and strontium isotope characterization of rainwater at an urban site in Loess Plateau, Northwest China. Atmos Res 94(3):481–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang F, Tan J, Shi ZB, Cai Y, He K, Ma Y, Chen G (2012) Five-year record of atmospheric precipitation chemistry in urban Beijing, China. Atmos Chem Phys 12(4):2025–2035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng Y, Hopke PK (1989) A study of the sources of acid precipitation in Ontario, Canada. Atmos Environ (1967) 23(7):1499–1509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Z, Tian L, Fischer E, Li Z, Jiao K (2008) Study of chemical composition of precipitation at an alpine site and a rural site in the Urumqi River Valley, Eastern Tien Shan, China. Atmos Environ 42(39):8934–8942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Gao Y (2008) Mass size distributions of water-soluble inorganic and organic ions in size-segregated aerosols over metropolitan Newark in the US east coast. Atmos Environ 42(18):4063–4078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Jiang H, Zhang Q, Zhang X (2012) Chemical characteristics of rainwater in Northeast China, a case study of Dalian. Atmos Res 116:151–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang DD, Peart M, Jim CY, He YQ, Li BS, Chen JA (2003) Precipitation chemistry of Lhasa and other remote towns, Tibet. Atmos Environ 37(2):231–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu G, Yonghong S, Chunlin H, Qi F, Zhiguang L (2010) Hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment of Heihe River basin, Northwest China. Environ Earth Sci 60(1):139–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Gansu Province Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (1506RJDA282), a West Light Program for Talent Cultivation of Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation (91547102), by the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams, A postdoctoral fellow at the international exchange plans from China Postdoctoral Association (20140043), and by the Youth Innovation Promotion Association, CAS (2013274).

Many thanks also to Qilian Alpine Ecology and Hydrology Research Station for the help on the sample collections and many thanks also to the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory for the help on the HYSPLIT results. We greatly appreciate suggestions from anonymous referees for the improvement of our paper. Thanks also to the editorial staff.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Forestry, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China

    Li Zong-Jie, Song Ling-Ling & Tian Qing

  2. Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin Gansu/Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering Research Center, Cold and Arid Region Environment and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Li Yong-ge

Authors
  1. Li Zong-Jie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Song Ling-Ling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tian Qing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Li Yong-ge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tian Qing.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zong-Jie, L., Ling-Ling, S., Qing, T. et al. Characteristics and sources of atmospheric composition based on precipitation chemistry in the Shiyang River Basin, Northwestern China. Arab J Geosci 10, 40 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2820-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2820-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation