Title: Temporal variability of the precipitation chemistry in the forest area of Istanbul, Turkey

Authors: Levent Saylan, Hüseyin Toros, Orhan Sen

Addresses: Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Meteorology, 80626 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Meteorology, 80626 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Meteorology, 80626 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: The chemical compositions of precipitation show temporal and spatial variability. It is important to determine the temporal variation of the chemical composition of rainwater for estimating the impacts of pollutants on the forest. In this study, the 34 rainwater samples are collected using, for the first time, the specially designed collectors between November 1997 and March 1998 in Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry at Bahcekoy, Istanbul in Belgrad Forest. The sequentially collected samples are analysed for major ions concentrations and pH estimations. The pH values for all samples vary from 5.1-7.6. In general, the concentration of all rainwater samples decrease with time. Furthermore, it is estimated that the average Ca²⁺) (1943.0 µeql^-1) and SO₄^2- (887.3 µeql^-1) concentrations are extremely high during the first ten minutes of the precipitation event.

Keywords: acid precipitation; ions; neutralisation; sequential sample.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2002.002343

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2002 Vol.18 No.5, pp.508-516

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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