Monitoring and deposition trends in Spain, including Saharan dust

Abstract

Avila, A., Aguillaume, L. 2017. Monitoring and deposition trends in Spain, including Saharan dust. Ecosistemas 26(1): 16-24. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2017.26-1.04

The chemical composition of the atmosphere has significantly changed in the last century, mostly due to increased emissions of gases and particles derived from human activities. Several studies have analyzed the trends in the chemical composition of rainwater and atmospheric deposition in recent decades in central and northern Europe. However, for Spain there is a lack of studies at national level. Up to now, analyses of decadal trends are only available from a few individual stations.In this paper we first present the different methods to measure atmospheric deposition. Then we compile a list of atmospheric deposition monitoring stations in Spain and review the available time series, for series longer than 10 years, with special attention to the trends of N, S and African dust. Finally, we indicate future research directions to fill the gaps in knowledge about patterns and trends of atmospheric deposition at a national level.