Influence of marine, terrestrial and anthropogenic sources on ionic and metallic composition of rainwater at a suburban site (northwest coast of Spain)

Abstract In the present research, the rainwater chemistry of soluble (SF) and non-soluble (NSF) fractions is studied over a one a half year period (from March 2011 to August 2012) at a suburban site (Oleiros, A Coruna, Spain). The monthly rainfall in this region during the studied period ranged from 10 to 137 mm, while the NSF ranged from 0.9 to 54 mg L −1 . More rainfall occurs within October–January. Eighteen samples, which provide information pertaining to the monthly variation in chemistry, were analyzed. Trace metals (Al, As, Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn) were enclosed in the study of both fractions of the rainwater. Major inorganic ions (Cl − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− , Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and NH 4 + ) were also enclosed in the study of the SF of the rainwater. After partition coefficients analysis, univariate and principal components analysis (PCA) and air mass back trajectories analysis, three sources were found for the ionic and metal composition of the SF of rainwater; terrestrial (Ca 2+ , non sea salt SO 4 2− , Al and Fe), marine (Mg 2+ , Na + , Cl − ) and anthropogenic (K + , NH 4 + , NO 3 − , Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, V and Zn). Results also suggest ubiquitous sources for Ba, Co, Cu, Cr and Ni. One source (terrestrial) was found for NSF of rainwater.