Nitrate in Precipitation: A Presentation of Data from the European Air Chemistry Network (EACN)

摘要

Data on the nitrate content of monthly precipitation samples during the period 1955 to 1979 are presented. Employing a median two-way table statistical analysis a seasonal variation of the nitrate concentration with high concentration in January through April and low concentration in June through October is found. All stations but one exhibit an increase in concentration during the period. The annual increase in nitrate concentration between the late 1950's and early 1970's is in the range 3% to 6% at 75% of the stations. Sampling artifacts caused by microbiological transformations in the sampled water after collection may have a certain, probably not substantial, influence on results.