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Chemistry of the Urauchi River Water in Iriomote Island National Park, Okinawa, Japan

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Abstract

The chemical characteristics of the Urauchi River water in Iriomote Island National park, Okinawa, Japan have been studied. Concentrations of PO4 3−, NO2 −, and NH4 + were barely detectable. We compared the concentration ratios of Mg2+/Na+, HCO3 −/Na+, and Ca2+/Na+ in the Urauchi River to those of 60 large rivers in the world and indicated that the chemical composition of the river is most likely formed by the binary mixing of sea salt components and silicate rock weathering components. Although rock weathering in the catchments area is driven by both H2CO3 and H2SO4, the role of H2CO3 is dominant. The percentages of the concentration of each cation in the river water are almost the same as those of other rivers with drainage areas consisting of silicate rock and sandstone. Thus, the Urauchi River shows the typical chemical characteristics of a river in a silicate rock area that includes sandstone.

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Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the critical review of the manuscript by Prof. Y. Kitano and Dr. S. Takara for providing constructive comments on the manuscript. We also thank Mr. C. Ishigaki of the Iriomote Station Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, and Mr. S. Nakasaka for their support in the field work. The comments of anonymous reviewer greatly improved the manuscript. This study was supported by a grant for the 21st Century COE program “The Comprehensive Analyses on Biodiversity in Coral Reef and Island Ecosystems in Asian and Pacific Regions” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan (Monbukagakusho).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1, Senbaru, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    Maki Ishiki, Hideaki Sakihama & Akira Tokuyama

  2. Nansei Environmental Laboratory Co., Ltd., 4-4, Agarizaki, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, 903-0105, Japan

    Hideaki Sakihama

  3. Yaeyama Agricultural High School, 477-1 Okinawa, Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa, 907-0022, Japan

    Seizen Agata

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  1. Maki Ishiki
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  2. Hideaki Sakihama
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  4. Akira Tokuyama
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Correspondence to Maki Ishiki.

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Ishiki, M., Sakihama, H., Agata, S. et al. Chemistry of the Urauchi River Water in Iriomote Island National Park, Okinawa, Japan. Water Air Soil Pollut 198, 111–124 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9830-9

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