Air-water interactions: The signature of meteorological and air-quality parameters on the chemical characteristics of water produced from the atmosphere

Atmospheric water is considered an alternative sustainable solution for global water scarcity. We analyzed the effects of meteorological and air-quality parameters on the chemical characteristics of atmospheric water. First, we measured the chemical characteristics of water produced by a unique atmospheric water generator (AWG) apparatus in Tel Aviv, Israel. To examine the complex air-water relationships, we obtained atmospheric data from several sources: adjacent air-quality-monitoring stations, aerosol robotic network (AERONET), aerosol pollution profile using PollyXT lidar, and air back-trajectory simulation (HYSPLIT). We found a strong impact of different pollution sources on the water quality. The integration between HYSPLIT, AERONET and lidar analyses shows that the pathway crossed by the air parcel three days before arrival at the site affected the chemical properties of the produced water. Nearby sea salt aerosols from the Mediterranean were persistently observed in the water (medians: sodium 69 μg/L, chloride ions 120 μg/L), corresponding to lidar identification of a sea-breeze layer (30–50 sr lidar ratio in lower elevation). Seasonal variability in climatic conditions affected the concentration of dust-related elements in the water. During dust-storm events, calcium was the most dominant element (median 900 μg/L). Thus, the chemical characteristics of the water can be considered a “footprint” of both regional, local, and phenological composition of the atmosphere. [Display omitted] •Safe drinking water was generated from the air by an AWG in Tel Aviv, Israel.•Angstrom exponent, lidar ratio, and AOD indicate water's chemical characteristics.•Air-quality parameters are feasible indicators of AWG water's chemical profile.•Various technologies provide wide understanding of air-water interactions.•Dew water can be considered a “footprint” of the atmospheric composition.