Measurement of trace metal wet, dry and total atmospheric fluxes over the Ligurian Sea

Abstract

An assessment of atmospheric inputs to the Ligurian Sea is reported here, including both wet and dry deposition. In order to evaluate the respective impact of the two contributions, a new sampling methodology was deployed at Cap Ferrat, on the French Ligurian coast. A receptacle was filled up with acidified water and acted as a trap for the total fallout. In parallel, rain water and aerosols were collected. Total fluxes: 0.18, 0.35, 6.0, 3.7, 8.6 and 220 μ m −2d −1 and wet fluxes: 0.09, 0.09, 1.6, 1.9, 1.6 and 106 μg m −2 d −1 were measured for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. Using this database, dry fluxes were then calculated (0.09, 0.26, 4.4, 1.8, 7.0 and 114 μg m −2 d −1 for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively) and dry deposition velocities as well (0.4, 2.3, 1.2, 1.2, 0.2 and 4.4 cm s −1 for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively). Yearly inputs to the Ligurian Sea were also calculated for each metal.