Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Centimeter-scale variability in the chemistry of convective rains

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A standard National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) rain collection bucket was sectioned with 220 test tubes of 1.5 cm diameter. Eleven rains from thunderstorms were collected. Analyses were made for Ca, Na and K concentrations in the test tube liquids. The relative standard deviation (RSD), after correction for the analytical RSD, was 0 to 15% for Ca, 0 to 24% for Na, and 0 to 17% for K. Analytical RSD for Ca, Na and K determined from standards were, respectively, 5.4, 6.6 and 12%. Calculations indicate that the difference of 2 to 3 giant nuclei per test tube of calcite (Ca), sea salt (Na) and clay (K) would account for these different RSDs. Concentration ranges in the rains varied from 0.14 to 2.95 mg L−1 for Ca, 0.024 to 0.23 mg L−1 for Na, and 0.014 to 0.064 mg L−1 for K. The area between the test tubes which was 40% of the total collector area provided a bottom sample which on average agreed within 1.3% of the average value of the test tubes.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, S. J., Bradley, S. G., Stow, C. D., and de Mora, S. J.: 1986,Nature 321, 842.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, W. A.: 1991, ‘Research in Cloud and Precipitation Physics: Review of U. S. Theoretical and Observational Studies, 1987–1990’,Reviews of Geophysics, Supplement, 69–79. U. S. National Report to International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, 1987–1990.

  • Deer, W. A., Howie, R. A., and Zussman, J.; 1971,An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals, Wiley, New York, 528 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gatz, D. F.: 1980,J. Geophys. Res. 85 (C10), 5588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Junge, C. E.: 1963,Air Chemistry and Radioactivity, Academic Press, New York, 323 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, B. J.; 1971,The Physics of Clouds, 2nd ed., Clarendom Press, Oxford, 671 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamaoki, M. and Hiraki, T.: 1984,Chem. Abst. 101, 78522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. S.: 1955,Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 81, 418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, G. H. and Steele, K. F.: 1990,J. Appl. Meteorology 29, 368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warneck, P.: 1988,Chemistry of the Natural Atmosphere, Academic Press, New York, 757 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodcock, A. H. and Blanchard, D. C.: 1955,Tellus 7, 435.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Arkansas, 72701, Fayetteville, AR, USA

    George H. Wagner & Kenneth F. Steele

Authors
  1. George H. Wagner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kenneth F. Steele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wagner, G.H., Steele, K.F. Centimeter-scale variability in the chemistry of convective rains. Water Air Soil Pollut 72, 9–18 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01257114

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01257114

Keywords

Search

Navigation