Chemical Composition, Fluxes and Seasonal Variation of Acid Deposition in Carmen Island, Campeche, Mexico

Two hundred and seven rain events from April to October 2012 were collected in Carmen Island, Campeche, Mexico, and the concentration of 8 major ions with the pH of the rainwater was analyzed. Chemical composition variations as a result of seasonal patterns, meteorological conditions, and mixed local and regional sources contribution were assessed. In spite of the fact that nitrate and sulfate levels were higher than background hemispheric values, the average pH values were almost neutral. Carmen Island was under the influence of both, local and long-range transported emissions. Chemical composition showed a dilution effect as a result of the monthly rainfall amount. Ca2+ and Na+ were the most abundant ions, and these ions acted as acid neutralizers and buffered the acidity of the rain, suggesting that marine and crustal aerosols played an important role in the acid-base interactions. Wet deposition fluxes obtained were compared with reference values proposed as critical loads, fluxes obtained in this study did not exceed the critical values reported for sensitive ecosystems in Europe, indicating that this site has yet enough capacity to support acidity, nitrogen and sulfur deposition. However, it is necessary to obtain reference values characteristics for tropical regions.

Assessing the Impact of Sulfur Atmospheric Deposition on Terrestrial Ecosystems Close to an Industrial Corridor in the Southeast of Mexico

The main objective of this research work was to diagnose the vulnerability of terrestrial ecosystems to S deposition in Atasta region in Campeche State, Mexico, comprising two simultaneous sampling programs in both, soil and atmospheric deposition on an annual basis during three climatic periods: dry, rainy and cold fronts seasons. From the estimation of soil properties estimation (pH, texture, mineralogy, cationic exchange capacity, and basis saturation %), critical loads and sensitivity classes were assigned to sampled soils based according to the empirical methodology proposed by UNECE. During the dry season, 10 sites fell into sensitivity class 2 (moderately sensitive) and 3 (sensitive). On the other hand, during the rainy season, 8 sites showed a sensitivity class 1 (highly sensitive) and 2 sites presented a sensitivity class 2 (moderately sensitive);whereas along cold fronts season, 12 sites fell into sensitivity class 1 that corresponds to highly sensitive. Sensitivity classes showed a seasonal trend, with a higher sensitivity during rainy and cold fronts seasons;this agrees with the kind of sources influencing on the study area as a result of the prevailing meteorology during these climatic periods. Likewise, S concentration in atmospheric deposition was determined by turbidimetric method, and S deposition fluxes were estimated from surface area of the funnel opening of the sampling device and the sampling period. S deposition fluxes ranged from 0.29 and 14.06 kg S ha-1·yr-1;with a mean value of 8.57 kg S ha-1·yr-1. From the comparison between the current deposition rates and proposed critical loads, exceedances percentages were obtained (from 1.65% to 62.8%) and mapped to identify critical zones of S deposition in the studied area. It was established the important role which mangrove vegetation plays in the attenuation of the potential ecological effects on terrestrial ecosystems of the study area associated to atmospheric deposition.