Ten years of rainfall chemistry in New Zealand

The inorganic ion composition of rainfall has been monitored at three sites (Kelburn, Lauder and Puruki) in New Zealand for periods varying between five and 12 years. The rainfall at Kelburn, which is a coastal site, has an ion concentration five and ten times greater than the two inland sites, Puruki and Lauder, respectively. The marine component makes up about 90% of the ionic composition at Kelburn, and about 60% at Lauder and Puruki. Puruki is a forest site, and has the highest concentration of ions of biogenic origin. The results from the first five years of measurement at Kelburn and Lauder were published by Harvey and Clarkson [1988]; however, the sulfate data presented here are significantly lower than the early results due to improvements in the measurement technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]