Abstract
Atmospheric fallout in the vicinity of a sour gas plant in southwestern Alberta was collected on an event basis with bulk precipitation collectors during June, July and August of 1972, 1973 and 1982. Samples were collected at 9 sites within 20 km of the plant. Total atmospheric sulfation measurements defined a higher exposure area located downwind of the plant, but the precipitation measurements did not. Bulk deposition of H+ ion in the study area was an average 10.77 mmol H+ m−2 3 mol−1 in 1972 and 0.014 and 0.049 in 1973 and 1982, respectively. 1972 samples were also significantly more acidic (average pH of 4.3 vs 5.7 in 1973 and 5.3 in 1982). Deposition of SO4 = averaged 2.1 kg S ha−1 3 mol−1 in 1972 and 0.96 and 0.72 in 1973 and 1982. The higher deposition of both S and H+ in 1972 is mainly a result of more precipitation. There was no significant correlation between H+ and SO4 = species in the samples. There was no significant relationship between plant S emissions and deposition rates, or plant S emissions and average total atmospheric sulfation measurements.
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Dufour, C.M.L., Chapman, B., Lore, J.A. et al. Acid deposition near a sour gas plant in southwestern Alberta. Water Air Soil Pollut 24, 361–373 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00282488
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00282488