Abstract
Major ion content of 37 wet-only rainwater samples collected on the southern flank of Mount Etna volcano was investigated. Measured pH values range from 3.80 to 7.22 and display a positive correlation with Ca2+ and an inverse correlation with NO3 −, suggesting that anthropogenic NOx are the most effective acidifying agents while Ca, likely as solid CaCO3, is the prevailing proton acceptor. Na/Cl ratios indicate a dominant marine origin for both species, while K, mg and Ca contents point to additional sources (soil dust, fertilisers etc.). Nitrate and sulphate concentrations display a nearly constant ratio indicating a common anthropogenic origin, and only a few samples are characterised by sulphate excess. The analysis of time series reveals a good correlation between the excess sulphate in rainwater and SO2 fluxes from the summit craters plume. Non sea salt chloride contents show also a significant correlation with volcanic activity indicating a magmatic sulphur and chloride contribution to rainwater. Meteoric flux estimations point to a prevailing magmatic origin for sulphur in the collected rainwaters while sea spray is the main source of chlorine.
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Aiuppa, A., Bonfanti, P. & D'Alessandro, W. Rainwater Chemistry at Mt. Etna (Italy): Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Major Ions. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 46, 89–102 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024878323823
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024878323823