Major Ionic Species Research Articles

Enhanced Oxygen Ion Outflow at Earth and Mars due to the Concurrent Impact of a Stream Interaction Region

One of the major processes that solar wind drives is the outflow and escape of ions from the planetary atmospheres. The major ion species in the upper ionospheres of both Earth and Mars is O+, and hence it is more likely to dominate the escape process. On Earth, due to a strong intrinsic magnetic field, the major ion outflow pathways are through the cusp, polar cap, and the auroral oval. In contrast, Mars has an induced magnetosphere, where the ionosphere is in direct contact with the shocked solar wind plasma. Therefore, physical processes underlying the ion energization and escape rates are expected to be different on Mars as compared to Earth. In the current work, we study the near-simultaneous ion outflow event from both Earth and Mars during the passage of a stream interaction region/high-speed stream (SIR/HSS) during 2016 May, when both the planets were approximately aligned on the same side of the Sun. The SIR/HSS propagation was recorded by spacecraft at the Sun–Earth L1 point and Mars Express at 1.5 au. During the passage of the SIR, the dayside and nightside ion outflows at Earth were observed by Van Allen Probes and Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission orbiters, respectively. At Mars, the ion energization at different altitudes was observed by the STATIC instrument on board the MAVEN orbiter. We observe evidence for the enhanced ion outflow from both Earth and Mars during the passage of the SIR, and identify the dominant drivers of the ion outflow.

RAM‐SCB Runs on Request at CCMC

AbstractThe Ring current–Atmosphere interactions Model (RAM) with Self‐Consistent magnetic (B) field (SCB) combines a large‐scale kinetic model of ring current plasma with a three‐dimensional (3‐D) force‐balanced model of the terrestrial magnetic field. RAM‐SCB simulates the evolution of major ion species (H+, O+, and He+ by default) and electrons as a function of azimuth, radial distance, energy, and pitch angle. Simulation outputs include the Dst index, and pressure and differential flux of the modeled species, thus providing benefit as a science code and to inform surface charging hazard within the model domain. Version 2.2 of this open‐source simulation code has now—as of 8 August 2023—been made available for Runs‐On‐Request via the Community Coordinated Modeling Center.

Influence of an Upstream Dynamic Pressure Pulse on Venus–Solar Wind Interaction by Multispecies Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation

As an unmagnetized planet, Venus does not have a global dipole magnetic field like Earth. The solar wind interacts directly with the Venusian ionosphere. In this paper, the interaction between solar wind and the Venusian upper atmosphere is investigated by conducting a three-dimensional multispecies magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model, in which the Venusian ionosphere is developed self-consistently by considering chemical reactions among four major ion species (H+, O2 +, O+, and CO2 +). Based on this developed MHD model, we mainly study the effects of the impulsive solar wind dynamic pressure on the interaction process. Simulation results reveal that the locations of the bow shock and magnetic pileup boundary show an abrupt compression, then expansion, and finally shrinkage to reach a new steady state with the influence of the impulsive dynamic pressure. The recovery time of the large-scale magnetic field is a few minutes. In addition, the peak escape fluxes are enhanced by about 1 order of magnitude due to the increased solar wind dynamic pressure pulse.

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of Kodku River of Lalitpur District, Nepal

Abstract Hydro-geochemical characteristics of Kodku River of Lalitpur, Nepal were determined through analysis of physicochemical parameters including major anions and cations. This study also characterizes and evaluates the suitability for drinking and irrigation. The results showed that river water is slightly alkaline toward the downstream. The concentration of BOD, COD, and total coliform was much higher than its prescribed limits for drinking purposes in downstream, whereas a few samples in upstream are fit for drinking with reference to WQI value. The estimated sodium percentage (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), and Kelly's ratio (KR) depict the excellent and safe categories for irrigation purposes. The obtained Wilcox diagram also revealed that river water falls under the C1S1 category which is safe for crops. Hydrogeochemical facies in Piper diagrams signifies the dominance of Ca–HCO3 type. Similarly, Gibbs maps indicate mineral (rock) weathering, whereas mixing diagram reveals carbonate weathering as the main controlling factor of major ion species. This study provides information on the hydrogeochemical properties of the river and its suitability for drinking and irrigation. Despite the comprehensiveness, the study can be an effective approach for countries with similar levels of water resources management.

Troubles in Mars Ionosphere Modeling

AbstractThe Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft has acquired comprehensive measurements of the properties that determine the density and composition of the ionosphere of Mars, namely solar irradiance, thermospheric density and composition, and electron temperature. Ionospheric models that use these measured properties as inputs ought, in principle, to accurately reproduce corresponding MAVEN measurements of ionospheric density and composition. Here we test whether or not several Mars ionosphere models do so. We focus on the optically thin portion of the photochemical equilibrium region of the dayside ionosphere, 160–200 km altitude, where ionospheric modeling is most straight‐forward. The predictions of Fox et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114186) clearly delivered better model‐data agreement than the other models considered herein, although the model of Mayyasi et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019ja026481) also performed well. For the other models assessed herein, model‐data discrepancies in ion densities of at least a factor of two were present in at least one major ion species.

MMS Observations of Dayside Warm (Several eV to 100 eV) Ions in the Middle and Outer Magnetosphere

AbstractWarm (several eV to 100 eV) ions are an important, and still poorly understood, component of the magnetospheric plasma environment. We present the first comprehensive statistical analysis of several distinct populations of warm ions in the dayside middle and outer magnetosphere. We analyze 7 months (1 September 2015–31 March 2016) of Magnetospheric Multiscale Hot Plasma Composition Analyzer data comprising 734,200 moments (density, temperature) and energy‐dependent pitch angle distributions (PADs) of three major ion species (H+, He+, and O+) with energy ≤100 eV. PADs are represented by an energy‐averaged index that characterizes the shape of the PAD as field‐aligned (FA), pancake, or isotropic. We use filtering by temperature, pitch angle, and concentration to distinguish different populations, and obtain new and more complete information about average density, temperature, PADs, and composition. Our analysis explores two known populations of warm ions: the warm plasmasphere (WPS) and the warm cloak/trough (C/T). The WPS is a higher‐temperature, higher‐L extension of the duskside plasmaspheric bulge, containing mostly trapped (pancake/isotropic) ions with an H+:He+:O+ order of ion dominance. The C/T contains mostly FA warm ions with a dawnward (duskward) temperature gradient for H+ (He+ and O+), lower densities, and an H+:O+:He+ order of ion dominance. The WPS‐C/T overlap contains a mixture of the two populations (e.g., FA He+ in WPS, trapped O+ in C/T). Pancake (FA) PADs are correlated with higher (lower) density/temperature. Our analysis also identifies warm ions in the low‐energy plasma sheet. Our work consolidates and systematically extends the characterizations of warm ions reported in previous studies.

Atmospheric Deposition around the Industrial Areas of Milazzo and Priolo Gargallo (Sicily-Italy)-Part A: Major Ions.

The chemical composition of rainwater was studied in two highly-industrialised areas in Sicily (southern Italy), between June 2018 and July 2019. The study areas were characterised by large oil refining plants and other industrial hubs whose processes contribute to the release of large amounts of gaseous species that can affect the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition As in most of the Mediterranean area, rainwater acidity (ranging in the study area between 3.9 and 8.3) was buffered by the dissolution of abundant geogenic carbonate aerosol. In particular, calcium and magnesium cations showed the highest pH-neutralizing factor, with ~92% of the acidity brought by SO42- and NO3- neutralized by alkaline dust. The lowest pH values were observed in samples collected after abundant rain periods, characterised by a less significant dry deposition of alkaline materials. Electrical Conductivity (ranging between 7 µS cm-1 and 396 µS cm-1) was inversely correlated with the amount of rainfall measured in the two areas. Concentrations of major ionic species followed the sequence Cl- > Na+ > SO42- ≃ HCO3- > ≃ Ca2+ > NO3- > Mg2+ > K+ > F-. High loads of Na+ and Cl- (with a calculated R2 = 0.99) reflected proximity to the sea. Calcium, potassium, and non-sea-salt magnesium had a prevalent crustal origin. Non-sea salt sulphate, nitrate, and fluoride can be attributed mainly to anthropogenic sources. Mt. Etna, during eruptive periods, may be also considered, on a regional scale, a significant source for fluoride, non-sea salt sulphate, and even chloride.

Applying synchrotron radiation-based attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared to evaluate the effects of shipping emissions on fluctuations of PM10-bound organic functional groups and ionic species

The intense light of synchrotron radiation, with the assistance of infrared spectroscopy, allows for the measurement of extremely low levels of organic functional groups. In this study, PM10 samples (n = 84) were collected at three air quality observatory sites strategically situated on the periphery of the seaport, residential zone, and industrial area of Laem Chabang, Thailand from May 27 to June 23, 2020. Aliphatic carbons, carbonyl species, organo-nitrates, aromatic nitro compounds, ammonium ions, carbonate, nitrate ions, sulfate species, and calcium carbonate were successfully characterised in all PM10 samples. Sulfate and aliphatic carbons were the two dominant chemical species detected at all monitoring sites. Sulfate and bisulfate ions were two major ionic species with the percentage contribution of 64%, 74% and 46% to the port area, the urban background and the industrial area, respectively. Aliphatic carbons were the most abundant organic functional groups, contributing 27% and 15% to the industrial area and the port area, respectively. While aliphatic carbons, organo-nitrates, and aromatic nitro compounds were closely related to shipping activities, sea salt aerosols and fertiliser dust can be considered as two potential sources of sulfate and ammonium, respectively.

Unravelling groundwater and surface water sources in the Esteros del Iberá Wetland Area: An isotopic approach

In the Esteros del Iberá Wetland Area (EIWA, NE Argentina), the southern sector of the transboundary Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) is overlain by the Ramsar listed Iberá Wetlands and several rivers, that combined extend across 37,930 km2 and represent one of the largest freshwater systems on the South American continent. Previous hydrogeological studies encompassing the entire SAG proposed preferential discharge of groundwater of various origins and ages to the EIWA. In this study, a multi-tracer study using major ionic species, δ18O, δ2H and 222Rn was conducted in lagoons, rivers, wells, and boreholes in the EIWA to confirm if discharge from the transboundary SAG is contributing to the surface water system. End-member Mixing Analysis (EMMA) determined the existence of four main end-members: groundwater from the SAG, more saline groundwater from the deeper Pre-SAG, and two poorly mineralised end-members from shallow, Post-SAG. EMMA calculations clearly illustrated complex binary and ternary mixing patterns involving the four end-members and highlighted the role of geological structures, specifically regional steep faults, in controlling the mixing patterns. 222Rn activities allowed in-situ identification of preferential deep groundwater discharge into both surface waters and shallow groundwaters. These findings provide strong evidence for the widespread existence of upward flows along major faults in this sector of the SAG, inducing complex mixing flow patterns and explaining the presence of old groundwater in shallow aquifers. Mapping the sources of water and the hydrological interactions are relevant for improving water balance estimates and develop management policies towards the preservation of these wetlands.

A multi-stage scintillation counter for GeV-scale multi-species ion spectroscopy in laser-driven particle acceleration experiments.

Particle counting analysis (PCA) with a multi-stage scintillation detector shows a new perspective on angularly resolved spectral characterization of GeV-scale, multi-species ion beams produced by high-power lasers. The diagnosis provides a mass-dependent ion energy spectrum based on time-of-flight and pulse-height analysis of single particle events detected through repetitive experiments. With a novel arrangement of multiple scintillators with different ions stopping powers, PCA offers potential advantages over commonly used diagnostic instruments (CR-39, radiochromic films, Thomson parabola, etc.) in terms of coverage solid angle, detection efficiency for GeV-ions, and real-time analysis during the experiment. The basic detector unit was tested using 230-MeV proton beam from a synchrotron facility, where we demonstrated its potential ability to discriminate major ion species accelerated in laser-plasma experiments (i.e., protons, deuterons, carbon, and oxygen ions) with excellent energy and mass resolution. The proposed diagnostic concept would be essential for a better understanding of laser-driven particle acceleration, which paves the way toward all-optical compact accelerators for a range of applications.

Monthly Precipitation Collected at Hirosaki, Japan: Its Tritium Concentration and Chemical and Stable Isotope Compositions

Monthly precipitation samples were collected at Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture from January 2018 to December 2020 to measure the ion species and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios in order to understand the regional properties. The tritium concentration ranged from 0.28 to 1.20 Bq/L, with mean values (±S.D.) of 0.52 ± 0.18, 0.67 ± 0.25 and 0.63 ± 0.21 Bq/L in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. This concentration level was almost the same as for Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture. The tritium concentration had clear seasonal variation: high in the spring and low in the summer. This trend was thought to arise from seasonal fluctuations in the atmospheric circulation. On the other hand, the pH tended to be low, and the electrical conductivity (EC) tended to be high from the winter to the spring. The ion components, which major ion species contained in sea salt, also tended to be high in the winter, and these components had a strong influence on EC. The d-excess values were high in the winter and low in the summer, and when this trend was considered from the viewpoint of the wind direction data in Hirosaki, these dust components were attributed to the northwest monsoon in the winter to the spring coming from the Asian continent.

Effects of Residual Xanthate on Flotation Efficiency of a Cu-Zn Sulfide Ore

Reuse of process water in the flotation of sulfide ores has crucial importance for environmental sustainability and improved process economy. However, the chemistry of process water may be a critical subject for the flotation efficiency as the dissolved ion concentration increases with water reuse. In this study, the effects of water reuse on the flotation efficiency of a Cu-Zn sulfide ore were investigated. The flotation flowsheet consists of a pre-flotation section to remove the naturally floatable talc particles, and sequential copper and zinc flotation sections. Calcium, sulfate, thiosulfate, and xanthate were found as major contaminating ionic species in the process water discharged from flotation circuits. The flotation tests with recirculated water from the zinc rougher tailing revealed that the presence of residual xanthate caused unintentional activation of copper minerals in the pre-float section. Copper recovery increased in the pre-flotation section and resulted in the loss of copper to the pre-float concentrate, which is considered as a tailing stream in the current flowsheet. Various types of activated carbon samples were tested to remove the residual xanthate from the tailing water. The carbon samples could be regenerated by heat treatment and reused for water treatment. Performance of the activated carbon samples was directly related to the pore size and surface area. Carbon-treated tailing water could be re-used in flotation without affecting the flotation performance.

Gas-phase Modeling of the Cometary Coma of Interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov

Abstract Comet 2I/Borisov is the first interstellar comet observed in the solar system, providing a unique opportunity to understand the physical conditions that prevailed in a distant unknown planetary system. Observations of the comet show that the CO/H2O ratio is higher than that observed in solar system comets at a heliocentric distance r h < 2.5 au. We aim to study the gas-phase coma of comet 2I/Borisov using a multifluid chemical-hydrodynamical model. The gas-phase model includes a host of chemical reactions, with the neutrals, ions, and electrons treated as three separate fluids. Energy exchange between the three fluids due to elastic and inelastic scattering and radiative losses are also considered. Our model results show that in the region of the coma beyond ∼100 km of the nucleus, e−−CO inelastic collisions leading to vibrational excitation of CO causes a loss of energy from the electron fluid. We find a high abundance of CO+ and HCO+ ions, and we show how these two ions affect the creation/destruction rates of other ions such as H2O+, H3O+, N-bearing ions, and large organic ions. We find that the presence of CO leads to a higher abundance of large organic ions and neutrals such as CH 3 OH 2 + , CH 3 OCH 4 + , and CH3OCH3, as compared to a typical H2O-rich solar system comet. We conclude that the presence of a large amount of CO in the coma of comet 2I/Borisov, combined with a low production rate, affects the coma temperature profile and flux of major ionic species significantly.

Investigating Day and Nighttime Variability of Major Water-Soluble Inorganic Species and Role of Reactive Nitrogen Species in PM2.5 and PM10 - A Two Year Study

The study reports day and nighttime temporal variation of prominent water-soluble inorganic species (WSIS) of fine and coarse mode particulate matter at a site in central Delhi for 2012 and 2013. The two years’ concentrations of major ionic species (NH4+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ and NO3-, SO42-) showed that mean levels of both ∑cations and ∑anions were higher in nighttime than daytime in both PM2.5 and PM10. Moreover, the difference of mean levels in daytime and nighttime was noticed higher in PM2.5 compared to PM10. Among anions, more variation was observed for NO3-, i.e., ~49% higher level in nighttime compared to daytime, while~9% higher values in the nighttime for SO42-. Higher variation of NO3- level might be due to active participation of NOx in daytime photo-oxidation process. Among cations,Ca2+ and Mg2+ showed higher concentration in daytime compared to nighttime. Higher day and nighttime variation of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in coarse particulate matter suggested their dominance in PM10 compared to PM2.5. In PM10, the highest Ca2+ concentration was observed in daytime summer and least in nighttime monsoon, indicating the role of loose soil and meteorological conditions. The higher daytime SO42- concentration in monsoon compared to summer show edits significant formation as secondary aerosols in fine mode. The reactive nitrogen species NO3- and NH4+ were correlated during the day and nighttime in PM2.5 and PM10.Moreover, NH4+ was highly correlated to SO42- and NO3-, mainly in the form of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3.

Gaseous and particulate reactive nitrogen species in the indoor air of selected households in New Delhi.

The present study reports the indoor abundance of inorganic trace gases (NH3, NO2 and SO2) and their corresponding particulates (NH4+, NO3- and SO42-) along with other major ionic species present in the aerosol form (Cl-, F-, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), in the urban households of megacity Delhi (India). Two different households (DH site and MH site) were selected in the city based on the variation in the land use patterns of the locations in which they were situated. Trace gases followed the order NH3 > SO2 > NO2 at both the sites with NH3 contributing about 90% and 85% to the total Nr species at DH and MH sites, respectively. NH3 showed maximum indoor concentrations during monsoon season whereas NO2 and SO2 were higher during winter season. The gas to particle conversion of the inorganic trace gases was studied by calculating their oxidation ratios which followed the order SOR > NOR > NHR, indicating that SO2 showed more oxidative conversion to SO42- as compared to NO2 and NH3 in the indoor setup. The chemical composition of the particulates revealed that Ca2+ and SO42- were the most abundant cation and anion, respectively, among the measured ionic species at both sites and the concentrations of all the major ions were higher for the industrial MH site as compared to the residential DH site. Source apportionment using principal component analysis and mass ratios showed that indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning along with others such as biomass burning and dust resuspension were responsible for the indoor composition of particulates at DH site whereas outdoor influences such as coal burning and industrial emissions from local sources were prominent at MH site due to its industrialized surroundings. For naturally ventilated households (such as the present study), it was observed that the emissions generated indoors as well as the characteristic outdoor influences seem to influence the overall indoor air composition and quality.

Atmospheric deposition chemistry in a Brazilian rural area: alkaline species behavior and agricultural inputs.

Since 2000s, several studies have been reporting an increase of alkaline species in atmospheric deposition worldwide. This study aims to evaluate and give a better understanding about atmospheric deposition chemistry collected in Lavras, a Brazilian city with rural background. Bulk atmospheric deposition samples were collected from March 2018 to February 2019 and major ionic species were quantified. The pH values ranged from 5.52 to 8.29, with an average of 5.92 and most deposition samples (~ 94%) were alkaline (pH > 5.60). For the whole sampling campaign, the ions profile in volume weighted mean (VWM) was described as follows: Ca2+ (35.02) > NH4+ (11.26) > Cl- (11.19) > Mg2+ (9.04) > NO3- (8.57) > Na+ (5.65) > K+ (2.61) > SO42- (2.43) > H+ (0.94) μmol L-1. We identified Ca2+ and NH4+ as the most predominant species accounting for 53% of the total ionic species distribution. In addition, all samples showed neutralization factor (NF) index greater than 1, with mean value of 6.4. Regarding regression analysis, acidity neutralization precursors such as calcium and ammonia accounted for 50% and 4%, respectively. In addition, samples alkaline pattern was mainly due to agricultural sources, including fertilizer production and application, and cement manufacturing inside the county air basin.

Characterization of atmospheric 210Pb concentration and its relation to major ion species at Tsukuba, Japan

Characterization of atmospheric 210Pb concentration and its relation to major ion species at Tsukuba, Japan

Chemical characteristics of wet precipitation at Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.

The purpose of this research was to study chemical characteristics of precipitation in Peradeniya (Latitude 6.973701, Longitude 79.915256), Kandy District in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted during 2012 to 2014, and wet precipitation was analyzed for pH, conductivity, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Pb, Cu, Mn, Al, Zn, and Fe for a total of 125 samples. Less than 2% events of acidic precipitation were recorded, and the VWA of the major ionic species present in precipitation samples were in the order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Cl- > NH4+ > SO42- > K+ > NO3- > Mg2+. Neutralization of acidity of precipitation is much more related to CaCO3 than NH3, and the presence of high content of Ca2+ strongly supports this fact. When considering marine contribution, SO42-/Na+, Ca2+/Na+, Mg2+/Na+, and K+/Na+ ratios are higher than the reference value suggesting that contribution of sources other than marine. Concentration of Zn is the highest while that of Mn is the lowest. Principal component analysis identified probable sources for major ionic and elemental sources as both natural and anthropogenic sources such as vehicular emission due to heavy traffic, waste incineration, bio mass burning, brass industry, and construction.

Variation in recent annual snow deposition and seasonality of snow chemistry at the east Greenland ice core project (EGRIP) camp, Greenland

We collected snow samples from two pits with depths of 4.02 and 3.18 m at the East Greenland Ice Core Project camp (75°37′N, 35°59′W), Greenland in the summer of 2016 to estimate recent annual snow deposition and examine seasonal variation in major ion species, stable isotopes of water and microparticles (dust). Dating based on clear seasonal variation in chemical components indicated that the 4.02- and 3.18-m-deep pits included snow deposition corresponding to ten years from 2006 to 2016 and seven years from 2009 to 2016, respectively. The mean values for annual snow deposition for the 4.02-m-deep pit were 138 and 145 mm yr−1 in water equivalent (mm w.e. Yr−1) in 2006–2016 and 2009–2016, respectively. The average deposition for the 3.18-m-deep pit was 149 mm w.e. Yr−1 between 2009 and 2016. Seasonal variation in concentrations of major ion species and dust were similar to those previously reported for Greenland. The maximum Cl−/Na+ concentration ratios in the summer were much higher than the ratios at other sites in Greenland.

Source apportionment of rainwater chemical composition in wet precipitation at Kelaniya in Sri Lanka

Rainwater quality is of utmost importance as it can be used to predict atmospheric quality which of course governs, to some extent, the health of the ecosystem. In this regard, the research reported here was to study chemical characteristics of precipitation in Kelaniya, Gampaha District, one of the most populated and most urbanized districts in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted during the period from 2012 to 2014, and wet precipitation was analyzed for pH, conductivity, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Pb, Cu, Mn, Al, Zn, and Fe for a total of seventy-eight (78) samples. Volume-weighted average concentrations of the major ionic species present in precipitation samples were in the order of Na+ > Ca2+ > Cl− > SO42− > NH4+ > Mg2+ > NO3− > K+ > F−. Neutralization of the acidic species would take place due to the presence of NH4+ and CaCO3. When considering marine contribution, SO42−/Na+, Ca2+/Na+, and Mg2+/Na+ ratios are higher than the reference value suggesting that contribution of sources be possible other than marine. Among metallic constituents, the concentration of Al is the highest while that of Mn is the lowest. Significant correlation is observed among certain ions and elements (Ca2+, SO42−, Mg2+, Al, Cu, Fe, Zn, and H+) which indicates their source of origin and chemical interaction. This study reveals that chemical composition of rain water depends on both anthropogenic activities and natural phenomena.