Evaluation of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to the Feitsui Reservoir in Taipei

This research studied how the air pollutants of urban areas affect a neighboring reservoir and its water quality. Through the atmospheric dispersion process, air pollutants move from the Taipei metropolitan to the Feitsui reservoir and enter the water body through dry and wet depositions. ISCST3 (Industrial Source Complex Short Term Model), an air quality model, was used to simulate dispersion, dry deposition and wet deposition of the air pollutants. Then the nitrogen loadings to the Feitsui Reservoir were evaluated. The results indicate that wet deposition places a greater burden than dry deposition does on the water body. Wet and dry deposition of NH 4 + together make up a rather large proportion of the total pollution. The ratio ranged from 21.9 to 25.2%. Those of nitrate make up a smaller proportion, ranged from 2.0 to 2.3%. If we take indirect deposition into account and calculate the NO 3 − and NH 4 + together, the proportion is 15.9–17.6%.