Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Water-soluble ions and oxygen isotope in precipitation over a site in northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China

  • Manuscript
  • Published:
Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A total of 30 precipitation samples were collected at a remote site of Qinghai Lake in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China, from June to August 2010. All samples were analyzed for major cations (NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) and anions (F−, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−), electric conductivity (EC), pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O). The volume-weighted mean (VWM) values of pH and EC in the precipitation samples were 7.2 and 19.0 μs cm−1. Ca2+ was the dominant cation in precipitation with a VWM of 116.9 μeq L−1 (1.6–662.9 μeq L−1), accounting for 45.7% of total ions in precipitation. SO42− was the predominant anion with a VWM of 32.7 μeq L−1, accounting for 47.1% of the total anions. The average precipitation DOC was 1.4 mg L−1, and it shows a roughly negative power function with the precipitation amount. The values of δ18O in the rainwater in Qinghai Lake varied from −13.5‰ to −3.9‰ with an average of −8.1‰. The enrichment factor analysis indicates that crustal materials from continental dust were the major sources for Ca2+ in the precipitation samples. The high concentration of Ca2+ in the atmosphere played an important role in neutralizing the acidity of rainwater in Qinghai Lake area. Cluster analysis of air-mass trajectories indicates that the air masses associated with northeast and east had high values of NH4+, SO42−, and NO3−, whereas large Ca2+ loading was related to the air mass from west.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ali, K., Momin, G.A., Tiwari, S., Safai, P.D., Chate, D.M., Rao, P.S.P.: Fog and precipitation chemistry at Delhi, North India. Atmos. Environ. 38, 4215–4222 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • An, Z.S., Colman, S.M., Zhou, W.J., Li, X.Q., Brown, E.T., Jull, A.J.T., Cai, Y.J., Huang, Y.S., Lu, X.F., Chang, H., Song, Y.G., Sun, Y.B., Xu, H., Liu, W.G., Jin, Z.D., Liu, X.D., Cheng, P., Liu, Y., Ai, L., Li, X.Z., Liu, X.J., Yan, L.B., Shi, Z.G., Wang, X.L., Wu, F., Qiang, X.K., Dong, J.B., Lu, F.Y., Xu, X.W.: Interplay between the westerlies and Asian monsoon recorded in Lake Qinghai sediments since 32 ka. Sci. Rep. 2, 619 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep00619

  • Andreae, M., Talbot, R., Berresheim, H., Beecher, K.: Precipitation chemistry in Central Amazonia. J. Geophys. Res.: Atmos. 95, 16987–16999 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balla, D., Papageorgiou, A., Voutsa, D.: Carbonyl compounds and dissolved organic carbon in rainwater of an urban atmosphere. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 21, 12062–12073 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bisht, D.S., Srivastava, A.K., Joshi, H., Ram, K., Singh, N., Naja, M., Srivastava, M.K., Tiwari, S.: Chemical characterization of rainwater at a high-altitude site “Nainital” in the Central Himalayas, India. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 24, 3959–3969 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cangemi, M., Madonia, P., Favara, R.: Chemical characterisation of rainwater at Stromboli Island (Italy): the effect of post-depositional processes. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 335, 82–91 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cui, B.-L., Li, X.-Y.: Stable isotopes reveal sources of precipitation in the Qinghai Lake Basin of the northeastern Tibetan plateau. Sci. Total Environ. 527-528, 26–37 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flues, M., Hama, P., Lemes, M.J.L., Dantas, E.S.K., Fornaro, A.: Evaluation of the rainwater acidity of a rural region due to a coal-fired power plant in Brazil. Atmos. Environ. 36, 2397–2404 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, M.P., Cass, G.R., Simoneit, B.R.T.: Gas-phase and particle-phase organic compounds emitted from motor vehicle traffic in a Los Angeles roadway tunnel. Environ. Sci. Technol. 32, 2051–2060 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gioda, A., Mayol-Bracero, O.L., Scatena, F.N., Weathers, K.C., Mateus, V.L., McDowell, W.H.: Chemical constituents in clouds and rainwater in the Puerto Rican rainforest: potential sources and seasonal drivers. Atmos. Environ. 68, 208–220 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, L.: Long-term trend of chemical composition of wet atmospheric precipitation during 1986–2006 at Shenzhen City, China. Atmos. Environ. 42, 3740–3750 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jinfu, Z., Kelong, C., Shengkui, C., Liang, C., Yanpeng, W., Baoliang, L., Yongsheng, W.: Spatial variability analysis of soil salt and its component ions in Qinghai Lake region. Procedia Environ. Sci. 10, 2431–2436 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, S.C., Xu, Y.W., You, Q.L., Flugel, W.A., Pepin, N., Yao, T.D.: Review of climate and cryospheric change in the Tibetan plateau. Environ. Res. Lett. 5, 015101 (2010)

  • Keene, W.C., Pszenny, A.A.P., Galloway, J.N., Hawley, M.E.: Sea-salt corrections and interpretation of constituent ratios in marine precipitation, J. Geophy. Res.: Atmos. 91, 6647–6658 (1986)

  • Li, C., Kang, S., Zhang, Q., Kaspari, S.: Major ionic composition of precipitation in the Nam co region, central Tibetan plateau. Atmos. Res. 85, 351–360 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C., Yan, F., Kang, S., Chen, P., Qu, B., Hu, Z., Sillanpää, M.: Concentration, sources, and flux of dissolved organic carbon of precipitation at Lhasa city, the Tibetan plateau. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 23, 12915–12921 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C., Yan, F., Kang, S., Chen, P., Hu, Z., Han, X., Zhang, G., Gao, S., Qu, B., Sillanpää, M.: Deposition and light absorption characteristics of precipitation dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at three remote stations in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, China. Sci. Total Environ. 605-606, 1039–1046 (2017a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X.F., Kang, S.C., He, X.B., Qu, B., Tripathee, L., Jing, Z.F., Paudyal, R., Li, Y., Zhang, Y.L., Yan, F.P., Li, G., Li, C.L.: Light-absorbing impurities accelerate glacier melt in the central Tibetan Plateau. Sci. Total Environ. 587, 482–490 (2017b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C., Chen, P., Kang, S., Yan, F., Tripathee, L., Wu, G., Qu, B., Sillanpää, M., Yang, D., Dittmar, T., Stubbins, A., Raymond Peter, A.: Fossil fuel combustion emission from South Asia influences precipitation dissolved organic carbon reaching the remote Tibetan plateau: isotopic and molecular evidence. J. Geophys. Res.: Atmos. 123, 6248–6258 (2018)

  • Meng, J., Wang, G., Li, J., Cheng, C., Cao, J.: Atmospheric oxalic acid and related secondary organic aerosols in Qinghai Lake, a continental background site in Tibet Plateau. Atmos. Environ. 79, 582–589 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadzir, M.S.M., Lin, C.Y., Khan, M.F., Latif, M.T., Dominick, D., Hamid, H.H.A., Mohamad, N., Maulud, K.N.A., Wahab, M.I.A., Kamaludin, N.F., Lazim, M.A.S.M.: Characterization of rainwater chemical composition after a Southeast Asia haze event: insight of transboundary pollutant transport during the northeast monsoon. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 24, 15278–15290 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Y., Wang, Y., Xin, J., Tang, G., Song, T., Wang, Y., Li, X., Wu, F.: Study on dissolved organic carbon in precipitation in northern China. Atmos. Environ. 44, 2350–2357 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, H., He, Y., Lu, A., Zhao, J., Ning, B., Yuan, L., Song, B.: Synoptic-scale variation of δ 18O in summer monsoon rainfall at Lijiang, China. Chin. Sci. Bull. 51, 2897–2904 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, H., He, Y., Hou, S., Zhang, N.: Changes in ionic and oxygen isotopic composition of the snow-firn pack at Baishui glacier no. 1, southeastern Tibetan plateau. Environ. Earth Sci. 67, 2345–2358 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pu, W., Quan, W., Ma, Z., Shi, X., Zhao, X., Zhang, L., Wang, Z., Wang, W.: Long-term trend of chemical composition of atmospheric precipitation at a regional background station in northern China. Sci. Total Environ. 580, 1340–1350 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian, Y., Yasunari, T.J., Doherty, S.J., Flanner, M.G., Lau, W.K.M., Ming, J., Wang, H.L., Wang, M., Warren, S.G., Zhang, R.D.: Light-absorbing particles in snow and ice: measurement and modeling of climatic and hydrological impact. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 32, 64–91 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, P.S.P., Tiwari, S., Matwale, J.L., Pervez, S., Tunved, P., Safai, P.D., Srivastava, A.K., Bisht, D.S., Singh, S., Hopke, P.K.: Sources of chemical species in rainwater during monsoon and non-monsoonal periods over two mega cities in India and dominant source region of secondary aerosols. Atmos. Environ. 146, 90–99 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seinfeld, J.H., Pandis, S.N.: Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change. Wiley Publishers, New York (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen, Z., Cao, J., Arimoto, R., Han, Z., Zhang, R., Han, Y., Liu, S., Okuda, T., Nakao, S., Tanaka, S.: Ionic composition of TSP and PM2.5 during dust storms and air pollution episodes at Xi'an, China. Atmos. Environ. 43, 2911–2918 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, Z., Zhang, L., Cao, J., Tian, J., Liu, L., Wang, G., Zhao, Z., Wang, X., Zhang, R., Liu, S.: Chemical composition, sources, and deposition fluxes of water-soluble inorganic ions obtained from precipitation chemistry measurements collected at an urban site in Northwest China. J. Environ. Monit. 14, 3000–3008 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, Z., Cao, J., Zhang, L., Liu, L., Zhang, Q., Li, J., Han, Y., Zhu, C., Zhao, Z., Liu, S.: Day–night differences and seasonal variations of chemical species in PM10 over Xi’an, Northwest China. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 21, 3697–3705 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, Z., Zhang, Q., Cao, J., Zhang, L., Lei, Y., Huang, Y., Huang, R.J., Gao, J., Zhao, Z., Zhu, C., Yin, X., Zheng, C., Xu, H., Liu, S.: Optical properties and possible sources of brown carbon in PM2.5 over Xi'an, China. Atmos. Environ. 150, 322–330 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirois, A., Bottenheim, J.W.: Use of backward trajectories to interpret the 5-year record of PAN and O3 ambient air concentrations at Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia. J. Geophys. Res. 100, 2867–2881 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, M.: Formation, evolution and variability characteristics of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau monsoon, contemporary climatic variations over Qinghai-Tibetan plateau and their influences on environments (ed. Tang, M., Chen, G., Lin, Z.), Guangdong Sci. Technology Press, Guangzhou. 161–182 (1998)

  • Tian, L., Ma, L., Yu, W., Liu, Z., Yin, C., Zhao, Z., Tang, W., Wang, Y.: Seasonal variations of stable isotope in precipitation and moisture transport at Yushu, eastern Tibetan plateau. Sci. China, Ser. D Earth Sci. 51, 1121–1128 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H., Han, G.: Chemical composition of rainwater and anthropogenic influences in Chengdu, Southwest China. Atmos. Res. 99, 190–196 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q., Schwarz, J., Cao, J., Gao, R., Fahey, D., Hu, T., Huang, R.J., Han, Y., Shen, Z.: Black carbon aerosol characterization in a remote area of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, western China. Sci. Total Environ. 479, 151–158 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, P., Cao, J., Han, Y., Jin, Z., Wu, F., Zhang, F.: Elemental distribution in the topsoil of the Lake Qinghai catchment, NE Tibetan plateau, and the implications for weathering in semi-arid areas. J. Geochem. Explor. 152, 1–9 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Zhang, R., Gomez, M.E., Yang, L., Levy Zamora, M., Hu, M., Lin, Y., Peng, J., Guo, S., Meng, J., Li, J., Cheng, C., Hu, T., Ren, Y., Wang, Y., Gao, J., Cao, J., An, Z., Zhou, W., Li, G., Wang, J., Tian, P., Marrero-Ortiz, W., Secrest, J., Du, Z., Zheng, J., Shang, D., Zeng, L., Shao, M., Wang, W., Huang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhu, Y., Li, Y., Hu, J., Pan, B., Cai, L., Cheng, Y., Ji, Y., Zhang, F., Rosenfeld, D., Liss, P.S., Duce, R.A., Kolb, C.E., Molina, M.J.: Persistent sulfate formation from London fog to Chinese haze. P. Natl. Acad. Sci. 113, 13630 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Shen, Z., Lu, D., Zhang, Q., Zhang, T., Lei, Y., Xu, H.: Water-soluble components in rainwater over Xi'an in Northwest China: source apportionment and pollution controls effectiveness evaluation. Atmos. Pollut. Res. 10, 395–403 (2019)

  • Willey, J.D., Kieber, R.J., Eyman, M.S., Avery, G.B.: Rainwater dissolved organic carbon: concentrations and global flux. Global Biogeochem. Cycles. 14, 139–148 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, L.P., Zhang, L., Cheng, I., Aherne, J., Wentworth, G.R.: Impacts and effects indicators of atmospheric deposition of major pollutants to various ecosystems - a review. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 18, 1953–1992 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, J.: Chemical composition and source identification of rainwater constituents at an urban site in Xi’an. Environ. Earth Sci. 75, 209 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, H.W., Xiao, H.Y., Long, A.M., Wang, Y.L., Liu, C.Q.: Chemical composition and source apportionment of rainwater at Guiyang, SW China. J. Atmos. Chem. 70, 269–281 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, X., Yao, T.: Different sub-monsoon signals in stable oxygen isotope in daily precipitation to the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau. Tellus B: Chem. Phys. Meteorol. 68, 27922 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Y.J., Liu, J.Q., Di, Y.A., Yang, J., Wen, T.X., Li, Y.W., Shi, Y.Q.: Major ionic composition of precipitation in the Shigatse region, southern Tibetan plateau. Adv. Mater. Res. 347-353, 1005–1011 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, T.D., Thompson, L., Yang, W., Yu, W.S., Gao, Y., Guo, X.J., Yang, X.X., Duan, K.Q., Zhao, H.B., Xu, B.Q., Pu, J.C., Lu, A.X., Xiang, Y., Kattel, D.B., Joswiak, D.: Different glacier status with atmospheric circulations in Tibetan Plateau and surroundings. Nat. Clim. Chang. 2, 663–667 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, W., Wei, F., Ma, Y., Liu, W., Zhang, Y., Luo, L., Tian, L., Xu, B., Qu, D.: Stable isotope variations in precipitation over Deqin on the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau during different seasons related to various meteorological factors and moisture sources. Atmos. Res. 170, 123–130 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D.D., Jim, C.Y., Peart, M.R., Shi, C.: Rapid changes of precipitation pH in Qinghai Province, the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Sci. Total Environ. 305, 241–248 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y., Kang, S., Li, C., Cong, Z., Zhang, Q.: Wet deposition of precipitation chemistry during 2005–2009 at a remote site (Nam Co Station) in central Tibetan Plateau. J. Atmos. Chem. 69, 187–200 (2012a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, N., He, Y., Cao, J., Ho, K., Shen, Z.: Long-term trends in chemical composition of precipitation at Lijiang, southeast Tibetan Plateau, southwestern China. Atmos. Res. 106, 50–60 (2012b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Jiang, H., Zhang, Q., Zhang, X.: Chemical characteristics of rainwater in Northeast China, a case study of Dalian. Atmos. Res. 116, 151–160 (2012c)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, N., Cao, J., Liu, S., Zhao, Z., Xu, H., Xiao, S.: Chemical composition and sources of PM2.5 and TSP collected at Qinghai Lake during summertime. Atmos. Res. 138, 213–222 (2014a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, N., Cao, J., He, Y., Xiao, S.: Chemical composition of rainwater at Lijiang on the southeast Tibetan plateau: influences from various air mass sources. J. Atmos. Chem. 71, 157–174 (2014b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Q., Shen, Z., Cao, J., Zhang, R., Zhang, L., Huang, R.J., Zheng, C., Wang, L., Liu, S., Xu, H., Zheng, C., Liu, P.: Variations in PM2.5, TSP, BC, and trace gases (NO2, SO2, and O3) between haze and non-haze episodes in winter over Xi'an, China. Atmos. Environ. 112, 64–71 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, M., Li, L., Liu, Z., Chen, B., Huang, J., Cai, J., Deng, S.: Chemical composition and sources of rainwater collected at a semi-rural site in Ya’an, southwestern China. Atmos. Climate Sci. 3, 486 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zongxing, L., Qi, F., Wei, L., Tingting, W., Xiaoyan, G., Zongjie, L., Yan, G., Yanhui, P., Rui, G., Bing, J., Yaoxaun, S., Chuntan, H.: The stable isotope evolution in Shiyi glacier system during the ablation period in the north of Tibetan plateau, China. Quat. Int. 380-381, 262–271 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by a grant from the State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SKLLQG1616).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Linqing Wang, Zhenxing Shen, Di Lu, Hongmei Xu & Yali Lei

  2. State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, 710075, China

    Linqing Wang, Zhenxing Shen, Ningning Zhang, Qiyuan Wang & Junji Cao

  3. School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710055, China

    Qian Zhang

  4. Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128, Mainz, Germany

    Xin Wang

Authors
  1. Linqing Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhenxing Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Di Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hongmei Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ningning Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yali Lei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Qian Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Qiyuan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Junji Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhenxing Shen.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, L., Shen, Z., Lu, D. et al. Water-soluble ions and oxygen isotope in precipitation over a site in northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China. J Atmos Chem 76, 229–243 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-019-09393-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-019-09393-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation