Chemical Characterization of Rainwater Sampled in Cheju city

제주시 강우의 화학적 조성 특성에 관하여

This study was carried out to investigate the chemical characteristics ol rainwater sampled in Cheju City from July 1994 to June 1996. Concentrations of major ions (Cl-,$SO_4^{2-}$, NO_3^-$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ and NH_4^+$) were determined. The pH of rainwater, calculated from the volume weighted H+ concentration, was found to be 5.61, indicating extensive neutralization of the acidity in the rain. The relative magnitude of average ionic concentrations followed the relation Cl-> $SO_4^{2-}$) $Na^+$> Ca^{2+}$> NH_4^+$> NO_3^-$> $Mg^{2+}$> $K^+$. The ions associated with sea salt, namely $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$, dominated the total concentration of ions in the rainwater and the $SO_4^{2-}$ ion accounts for 20% of total concentration. [H+][nss-SO42-+NO3] ratio and a multiple regression for $SO_4^{2-}$ and NO3- ions against $H^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $NH_4^+$ suggested that all of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$ in rainwater was not necessarily associated with $H_2SO_4$ and $HNO_3$, but might also occur in combination with $NH_4^+$ or Ca^{2+}$. The monthly mean concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$-, Ca^{2+}$ and $NH_4^+$ in spring time was higher than those in other seasons. These results may De attributed to the fertilizer application as the local sources and the yellow sand phenomina as a regional-scale sources.