Chemical composition of wet and dry atmospheric depositions in an urban environment: local, regional and long-range influences

The results of a 8 year survey of wet and dry depositions collected in Bologna (Northern Italy) are presented and discussed: monthly fluxes of the main ions (hydrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen, sulphate and chloride) have been registered and statistically discussed. The trend of hydrogen ion, whose largest correlation in the global deposition was found with sulphate, is clearly downwards, with peaks mainly in winter months. By means of a data factor analysis, three main sources to explain the variability of the deposition chemistry were recognized: an anthropogenic contribution (particularly represented by NO3–, SO42–, H+), the sea spray (Na+, Cl− and, to a lesser extent, K+ and Mg2+) and a terrigenous fraction, particularly characterized by higher Ca2+ concentration; however, some concentration peaks of this ion have been found in association with some episodes of Saharan dust transportation.