The use of the isotopic method in the assessment of the urbanization of atmospheric precipitation in Moscow

The study was carried out on the basis of all the individual samples (101 cases) of precipitation for 2014, sampled at the Meteorological Observatory of Moscow State University. The concentrations of the main anions and cations, the total mineralization and δ¹⁸O values were determined. 12 cases of relatively high mineralization of precipitation were recorded. Average weighted mineralization values ranged from 12.0 to 67.7 mg/L, specific values of mineralization varied from 3.2 to 229.0 mg/L. Chlorine prevails among anions, calcium prevails among cations. The used isotope data analysis and backward trajectories of air masses showed the hydro-chemical composition of precipitation in Moscow not to be linked to the origin of air masses. This indicates to the predominantly urban origin of pollutants in precipitation. In general, in 2014 precipitation were significantly more mineralized than in previous years of observations, due to the climatic conditions of a particular year — small amount of precipitation and number of days with precipitation. This has led to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere and the poor washout of pollutants.