An analysis of the first year of MAP3S rain chemistry measurements

Abstract

We have analysed rain chemistry measurements from the MAP3S program to derive numerical values of parameters for theoretical models of wet deposition of sulfur. These agree generally with values estimated earlier for Western Europe; the probability of rain is approximately equal to 0.12, the characteristic rainout rate about 0.3 h −1, and the residence time for atmospheric sulfur species about 100 h. Both SO 4 2− and NO 3 − affect the pH at all stations. Factor analyses and meteorological analysis of selected high deposition events reveal inadequacies in present reporting and collecting procedures. From these we derive recommendations for future rain chemistry measurement programs.