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Seasonal characteristics of the chemical composition of rainwaters from Salta city, NW Argentina

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Abstract

Major ions, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were analyzed in rainwater samples collected at Salta city (NW Argentina) during the summer seasons of years 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. Precipitations in the area are characterized by low total dissolved load and slightly acidic pH. The pH values are in agreement with low concentrations of anthropogenic acid species such as NO3− and SO42− and consistent with a low urban development. Data indicate that the high concentrations of dissolved Ca are probably associated with the existence of marble quarry mining in the valley. According to a below-cloud process, it is observed that during the dry season, dust particles and contaminants are concentrated in the lower troposphere and washed-out immediately after a rainfall occurred. This process is in part responsible for the chemical composition of the local rainwater. Apart from quarry mining activity, the area does not have significant extra atmospheric pollution linked to anthropogenic sources. The new data permit to establish the baseline of the chemical composition of the local rainwater.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Antorchas, IAI, the Weizmann Institute, SECyT/UNC, FON-CyT (PICT-0625 and 0525). We are indebted to the Servicio Meteorologico Nacional for the meteorological data provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA, Consejo Nacional De Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (IBIGEO, CONICET), Av. 9 de Julio 14, Rosario de Lerma, A4405BBB, Salta, Argentina

    María Romero Orué & Alicia Kirschbaum

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNC, CICTERRA/CONICET), Avda. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina

    Diego Gaiero

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  1. María Romero Orué
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  2. Diego Gaiero
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Correspondence to María Romero Orué.

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This article is a part of Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on IV RAGSU—Advances in Geochemistry of the Surface in Argentina, edited by Dr. Americo Iadran Torres and Dr. Pablo Jose Bouza.

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Romero Orué, M., Gaiero, D. & Kirschbaum, A. Seasonal characteristics of the chemical composition of rainwaters from Salta city, NW Argentina. Environ Earth Sci 78, 16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-8007-0

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