WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Print ISSN: 1790-5079, E-ISSN: 2224-3496
Volume 10, 2014
Wet and Dry Deposition of Trace Elements in Two Sites in Carmen Island, Campeche, Mexico
Authors: ,
Abstract: Wet and dry deposition samples were collected in two sampling sites (urban and mangrove forest) in Carmen Island, Campeche, Mexico from February to November, 2013. Samples were collected with an automatic wet/dry deposition sampler, using a device called DAS (Dry deposition on aqueous surfaces) that uses water as collection surface in the case of dry deposition. Wet deposition samples were collected daily, whereas dry deposition was collected on a weekly basis. In both cases, samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, NO3-, SO42- and Cl−. Calcium and nitrate were the most abundant ions, contributing in a great proportion to the total ionic mass. In both sampling sites, it was completely evident the influence of local sources, and in the case of the urban site, a local source (building activities) contributed to extremely high values of calcium. N deposition fluxes in both sampling sites exceeded the critical loads and the hemispheric background concentrations proposed for sensitive ecosystems and marine remote sites. Nitrogen total deposition at Carmen Island is already above of the upper extreme of the threshold value reported for sensitive ecosystems. Since only local sources drove the chemistry of the total deposition in both sampling sites, sulfate levels remained below of the background hemispheric values, suggesting that the contribution of regional sources of this ion was not significant. However, it is necessary to take local regulatory measures to avoid that total N deposition be a threat for the ecosystems in Carmen Island.
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Pages: 393-404
WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, ISSN / E-ISSN: 1790-5079 / 2224-3496, Volume 10, 2014, Art. #42