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Identification of Ion sources in rainwater of a coastal site impacted by the gas and oil industry in the southeast of Mexico

Paper Topic: 
General
 
Volume: 
 
Issue: 
 

Pages :
92 - 100

Authors: 
Ceron R.M., Ceron J.G., Muriel M., Cardenas B. and Anguebes F.
Paper ID: 
407
Paper Status: 
Published
Abstract: 

The purpose of this research was to study the chemical composition of rainwater to assess
the impact of marine aerosol and anthropogenic emissions by using back air-mass
trajectories. Fieldwork was done from July to November 2004, in a coastal site probably
impacted by gas and oil industry in Campeche, Mexico: San Antonio Cardenas.
Na+, Cl-, and Mg2+, were the most abundant ions, being sea-salt aerosol their unique source.
A significant portion of K+ and Ca2+ originated from non-sea-salt sources; and the sulphate
excess exceeded the background level reported for remote marine sites, suggesting that
besides of marine aerosol, there was a significant contribution of SO42- from anthropogenic
sources. NO3- concentrations in San Antonio Cardenas exceeded the background level
reported for coastal sites with minimal anthropogenic influence and showed a significant
correlation with SO42-, suggesting a common source. Agricultural practices are null, for this
reason NH4+ levels were low.
Mean pH value was 4.64, this acidity showed a good correlation with SO42- and NO3- levels,
and with the local meteorology. A sour gas recompression plant located 10 km at NE from
San Antonio Cardenas was identified as the main source of this strong acidity.