Influence of meteorological parameters on gamma radionuclides and major-ions of bulk deposition in Málaga (South of Spain)

Abstract

Gamma radionuclides and major-ion concentrations in bulk deposition samples were monthly measured in bulk deposition over a seven year period (January 2005- December 2013). Bulk deposition was dominated by Ca2+,Cl-, SO42- and Na+ and the average pH was 6.4. Cl- and SO42- were the main anions while Ca2+ and Na+ were the main cations. The radiotracers present in all samples were 7Be, 210Pb and 40K appeared in 50% of the samples. The temporal variations of major-ions and radionuclides exhibit similar seasonal behaviour with low values in winter-autumn months and maximum values in spring-summer months. Furthermore, correlation analysis and principal component analysis method were also performed on individual bulk deposition to identify possible common sources of the major-ions and gamma radionuclides. The meteorological parameters that best correlated with gamma radionuclides and major ions in bulk deposition were number of intrusions and the amount of precipitation.