Single particle and inorganic characterization of rainwater collected above the North Sea
Jambers, W.; Dekov, V.; Van Grieken, R. (2000). Single particle and inorganic characterization of rainwater collected above the North Sea. Sci. Total Environ. 256: 133-150 In: Science of the Total Environment. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0048-9697; e-ISSN 1879-1026, more |  |
| Keywords | Analysis > Chemical analysis
Chemical compounds > Silicon compounds > Silicates
Chemical elements > Metals > Heavy metals
Chemical elements > Nonmetals > Aluminium
Chemistry > Atmospheric sciences > Atmospheric chemistry
Dimensions > Size > Particle size
Dissolved solids
Distribution > Geographical distribution
Distribution > Temporal distribution
Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment
Hydrometeors > Atmospheric precipitations
Hydrometeors > Atmospheric precipitations > Rain
Inorganic matter
Interfaces > Air-water interface
Ocean-atmosphere system
Particulates > Suspended particulate matter
Techniques > Methodology > Analytical methods
Trace elements > Trace metals
ANE, North Sea [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top | - Jambers, W.
- Dekov, V., more
- Van Grieken, R., more
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| Abstract | Suspended matter and the dissolved fraction of rainwater collected above the North Sea were characterized using electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ion chromatography (IC), respectively. Suspended particulate matter was dominated by aluminosilicates and organic particles. Fifteen particle types describe the composition of the North Sea rainwater suspended matter. Factor analysis, particle size distributions and manual EPXMA measurements illustrated the complex genesis of different particle types: terrigenous; biogenic (both marine and continental); and anthropogenic. It was demonstrated that at the beginning of a shower of rain the coarse particles that are present in the air under the cloud are washed out, while during the second phase rainout particles, formed in the cloud, become more important due to the absence of new coarse particles under the cloud. Above the sea, the total amount of suspended matter (TSM) is much smaller and more variable than above the land and also the decrease in particle diameter is less visible. Approximately 10% of the studied particles contained trace heavy metals. The dissolved compounds in the North Sea rainwater were also variable in time and space. In general, over a short period of time, the concentrations of all dissolved compounds seem to decrease during a shower, but this decrease is much larger above land than above sea. The concentrations of dissolved trace metals present in rainwater above the southern North Sea has decreased over the last 15 years. |
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