Analysis of Precipitation Chemistry at Rural Site in the Eastern Coast, Korea

The 10-day interval basis measurements of precipitation samples at Yangyang, the rural and coastal area on the eastern coast of the Korea peninsula were accomplished for understanding the precipitation chemistry and the temporal variations of major ions September 1991 to February 1997. The precipitation was slightly acidic, and 37% of the samples in winter were pH less than 4.5. The concentrations of cations were found on the order $Na^+\;>\;{NH_4}^+\;>\;Ca^{2+}\;>\;Mg^{2+}\;>\;K^+$ and those of anions followed the pattern $Cl^-\;>\;{SO_4}^{2-}\;>\;{NO_3}^-$. Neglecting sea salt components, the major ions controlling precipitation chemistry were nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ and ${NO_3}^-$ in anion and ${NH_4}^+$ and nss-$Ca^{2+}$ in cation. Concentrations of these ions were lower than those measured at urban sites in Korea, but were higher than those measured in Japan. Most of nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ and ${NO_3}^-$ were neutralized by ammonia and calcium species, especially alkaline soil particles in spring and ammonia gas in other seasons. Considering also the annual value of ［nss -${SO_4}^{2-}$］/［${NO_3}^-$］ ratio of 2.62 and the neutralizing factors, ammonium sulphate compounds were dominant. Annual mean concentrations of these ions showed relatively small fluctuations, while larger seasonal variations were observed with higher levels in spring and winter. Precipitation amount, influence extent of acidic gases and alkaline particles long-range transported from China continent, and energy consumption pattern in each season might be able to explain this seasonal trend.sonal trend.