Wet deposition variability as observed by MAP3S

Abstract MAP3S data for 1977–1979 are utilized to examine temporal, spatial and directional variability of wet deposition of the dominant ions in precipitation for selected sites in the northeastern United States. Linear regression analysis applied to 3-y cumulative totals is found to be applicable and provide a reasonable wet deposition predictive capability. Trajectory analysis is also applied to the data set for two stations to determine the percentage of total wet deposition associated with various approach sectors. Spatial variability in wet deposition is examined by normalizing deposition totals. No steep gradients in the normalized wet deposition of pollutant-related ions were found throughout the area of study.