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Aluminium solubility in rainwater and molten snow

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Abstract

Large variations of aluminium solubilities are found in marine and rural precipitations. The results of seven field experiments are used to produce a model of the solubilization of aluminium independent of the sampling site. Large variations of solubility appear, and the pH seems to be a major factor explaining this solubility changes. Thermodynamic calculations at T=278K suggest that, at higher pHs (>5), equilibrium with gibbsite (αAl(OH)3) or a trivalent alkaline insoluble form acts as a limiting of aluminium solubility and at lower pHs (<5), Al could be in equilibrium with a hydroxysulfate salt Al(OH)1.5(SO4)0.75.

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Paper submitted to the 7th International Symposium of the Commission for Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution on the Chemistry of the Global Atmosphere held in Chamrousse, France, from 5 to 11 September 1990.

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Losno, R., Colin, J.L., Le Bris, N. et al. Aluminium solubility in rainwater and molten snow. J Atmos Chem 17, 29–43 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00699112

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00699112

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