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Chemical composition and source identification of rainwater constituents at an urban site in Xi’an

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Abstract

Major ions, pH and electric conductivity (EC) in rainwater samples collected from June 2011 to July 2012 were analyzed to evaluate chemical characteristics and source apportionment of rainwater in Xi’an, a city located on the loess deposits. The rainwater was slightly alkaline with a daily volume-weighted mean (VWM) pH of 7.7, which ranged from 7.4 to 8.4. The VWM concentrations of major ions followed the order of Ca2+ > SO4 2− > NH4 + > NO3 − > Cl− > Na+ > K+ > Mg2+ > F−. Ca2+ and SO4 2− dominated in cations and anions, respectively. Investigations of neutralization factors indicated that the acidity of rainwater in Xi’an was neutralized by NH4 + and Ca2+, which presented relatively higher neutralization capability than cities in southern China. The back trajectory analysis showed that the chemistry of rainwater in Xi’an is influenced by local pollutions sources and soil dust in local and remote area. Large inputs of soil dust and coal combustion during the winter and spring led to higher values of major ions and pH values during dry seasons than wet seasons. The principal factor analysis, correlation analysis, and source apportionment indicated that SO4 2− and NO3 − were from anthropogenic sources, while Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+ were from crust fractions. The estimated annual wet depositions for sulfur, nitrogen, and calcium were 3.9, 1.5, and 4.2 t/km2, respectively. Although rainwater acidity in Xi’an was mainly caused by H2SO4, the contribution of HNO3 will be enhanced due to increasing NOx and relatively stable SO2 emissions in the future. The high concentrations of EC, SO4 2−, and NO3 − in rainwater indicated Xi’an is severely polluted. To improve air quality in Xi’an, simultaneous reduction of particle emissions and fossil fuel and vehicles emissions are worthy of advocating. The results have implications for identification of potential sources in rainwater and for evaluation of air quality improvement in Xi’an and other similar cities in China.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS (2015336), Shaanxi National Science Foundation (No. 2015JM4131), and the Key Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant KZZD-EW-04-02). Appreciation is expressed to Executive Editor and the anonymous reviewers for insightful suggestions.

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, 710061, China

    Jun Xiao

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  1. Jun Xiao
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Correspondence to Jun Xiao.

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Xiao, J. Chemical composition and source identification of rainwater constituents at an urban site in Xi’an. Environ Earth Sci 75, 209 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4997-z

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