Temporal variation in aluminum speciation and concentration during snowmelt

Precipitation samples in Alberta were collected and analyzed monthly from six Alberta Environment stations. Samples were collected with Sangamo samplers and analyzed for the major ions, pH and acidity. The data were tabulated and analyzed for spatial distribution, seasonal variation, temporal trends, ionic character and wet sulphate deposition. The major ionic species in Alberta precipitation are Ca²⁺, SO _inf4 ^sup2? , NH _inf4 ^sup+ and N0 _inf3 ^sup? . The spatial distribution shows a slight decrease in pH from southern Alberta (pH 6.0) to northern Alberta (pH 5.4). The seasonal variation shows higher hydrogen ion content in the summer months (pH 5.4 in summer and pH 5.8 in winter). Temporal trends are not apparent over the five year period investigated. The five year average wet sulphate deposition rate in Alberta is 9.1 kg ha^?1 yr^?1.