Precipitation chemistry at Sinhagad : a hill station in India

Rain water samples, collected during the monsoon at a mountain site remote from industrial and urban areas, were analysed for major ions. The pH ranged from 5.9 to 6.76. The data were examined by principal components analysis. The ionic composition was dominated by soil dust with calcium showing the highest concentration among the ions. The levels of excess sulphate and nitrate were 23.8 and 15.2 ueq per litre, respectively, which were low compared with polluted regions in India. Sodium chloride, calcium and magnesium were associated with coarse particles and originated from the sea and soil. Potassium and ammonium were most likely emitted from forest vegetation. The results represented reference background levels.