Abstract
ABSTRACT This study analyzes multiyear data recorded by 21 stations along an elevation gradient (0–1045 m a.s.l.) in the Luquillo Mountains on the rainfall and the rainwater chemistry. The total ionic concentration and the rainwater volume exhibited an inverse exponential relationship, with the correlation coefficients ranging from –0.66 to –0.90. Furthermore, the rainfall tended to increase with the elevation, although a few stations, owing to their geographical location and their exposure to the prevailing winds, departed from this trend. The ionic composition also displayed clear seasonality: Contributions from African crustal aerosols and, to a lesser degree, North American anthropogenic aerosols were observed during summer and winter, respectively, whereas marine aerosols were influential year-round. Finally, the annual loads (kg ha–1 y–1) first increased for all of the species, except PO43– and K+, from the lowland to the cloud formation levels (by 47–121%) and then decreased for all of them, except PO43– and NO3–, at the altitudes above.
Highlights
Wet deposition is an essential source of nutrients and pollutants for terrestrial ecosystems, such as tropical forests
The Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF), known as El Yunque National Forest, is a tropical forest located in the Luquillo Mountains in northeastern Puerto Rico, which elevates from the coast to an elevation of over 1000 m in a horizontal distance of about 8 km (González et al, 2013; Lugo et al, 2015), creating steep slopes within the mountain range
The objective of this study is to build on the work of Medina et al (2013) to answer the question of how rainfall and ionic composition vary between seasons and in the elevation gradient of the Luquillo Mountains using a multiyear record of rain chemistry
Summary
Wet deposition is an essential source of nutrients and pollutants for terrestrial ecosystems, such as tropical forests. The Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF), known as El Yunque National Forest, is a tropical forest located in the Luquillo Mountains in northeastern Puerto Rico, which elevates from the coast to an elevation of over 1000 m in a horizontal distance of about 8 km (González et al, 2013; Lugo et al, 2015), creating steep slopes within the mountain range Due to these topographic characteristics and the trade winds that constantly influence the island, cloud formation is mainly formed through orographic ascension making the Luquillo Mountains the rainiest part of the island (García-Martinó et al, 1996; Murphy et al, 2017). One of the most interesting features of the Luquillo Mountains is the steep slope from the coast to its highest peak This steep slope creates an elevation gradient that provides different biotic and abiotic conditions, such as temperature, cloud cover, and rainfall patterns. Precipitation provides water and pushes down atmospheric aerosols via rainout and washout processes that get deposited on the surface, and that can have considerable ecological consequences in the different ecosystems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
