Research Areas > Nutrients > Identification of Nutrient Sources > Atmospheric Deposition
Project Group: Atmospheric Deposition
Atmospheric deposition of particles and gases is a potentially important source of contaminants to water bodies in southern California. SCCWRP is working to quantify atmospheric deposition in southern California for a number of constituents, some of which are pollutants. These include trace metals (copper, zinc, lead), hydrophobic organic compounds (DDT, PCB, PAH) and macro- and micronutrients (iron, nitrogen, phosphorus). These data can help provide better estimates of the atmospheric contribution to pollution loadings in aquatic systems. Research will also assist in creating more effective management tools, such as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), to achieve and maintain water quality protective of beneficial uses.
Satellite image of a smoke plume from recurrent southern California fires, a source of atmospheric deposition (left); typical equipment used to sample atmospheric deposition (right).
Atmospheric deposition research projects include:
- Atmospheric Nutrient Deposition - Planned projects to quantify the contribution of atmospheric deposition to nitrogen and phosphorus budgets for estuaries and coastal waters.
This page was last updated on: 1/21/2010