Spectral Analysis of Atmospheric Pollutants in the Upper Great Lakes Region

Abstract

<p> Chemical data from atmospheric precipitation in the Upper Great Lakes region were collected on a monthly basis by various organizations from late 1972 to late 1975. The data for pairs of chemical parameters are regarded as simultaneously recorded time series and are analyzed by spectral analysis to bring out periodic components present in both time series and also to reflect the correlation and phase difference between the pairs of time series.</p> <p> The precipitation data have four major bands of periodicities: (1) a yearly cycle representing high and low atmospheric loadings in the summer and winter respectively with regards to Fe, PART, SO4 and P; (2) a 6 monthly period reflecting the four seasons of the year and affecting Fe, PART, P and pH; (3) a 9 monthly period for the heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb and Zn); and (4) 2 to 5 cycles/month periodicities caused by atmospheric turbulence and affecting all the parameters.</p> <p> The mining-smelting industry at Sudbury has been identified as a major point source of atmospheric emissions of acid, sulfate and the heavy metals, with the exception of iron, This is evident in view of the facts that the spectral intensities at the major periodicities decrease away from the mining-smelting centre; the strikingly high correlation and practically inphase relationship between Cu and Ni, and the 9 monthly period for the heavy metals which is associated with the industry.</p>