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A further elaboration of the theme of the chemical composition of rainfall:
"What is a chemical salt recipe for 'typical' rainwater? Rainwater gets its compositions largely by dissolving particulate materials in the atmosphere (upper troposhere) when droplets of water nucleate on atmospheric particulates, and secondarily by dissolving gasses from the atmosphere. Rainwater compositions vary geographically. In open ocean and coastal areas they have a salt content essentially like that of sea water (same ionic proportions but much more dilute) plus CO2 as bicarbonate anion (acidic pH). Terrestrial rain compositions vary siginificantly from place to place because the regional geology can greatly affect the types of particulates that get added to the atmosphere. Likewise, sources of gaesous acids (SO3, NO2) and bases (NH3) vary as a function of biome factors and anthopogenic land use practices. Each of these gasses can be added in varying proportions from natural and non natural input sources (non-natural sources of SO3 and NO2 far outweigh natural ones). Particulate load to the atmosphere can also be greatly affected by human activities. Finally, local climate (especially the amount of precipitation in one area compared to another) will affect the solute concentrations in terrestrial rainwaters. The result is highly variable compositions, so there isn't one simple formula. If you want to read up a bit on this and see data for rainwater from many different locales globally, I suggest the book "Global Environment: water air and geochemical cycles" by Berner and Berner (Prentice-Hall, 1996) or a similar text " "presley" wrote in message ... Warren, you're not as informed as you think you are. http://landresources.montana.edu/LRE...stry_Web.pd f According to the site above, from University of Montana, the composition of rainfall is nearly identical to seawater with some additional molecules picked up in the atmosphere. Furthermore, rainfall is NEVER simple H20 - because it also picks up many gases that are present in the atmosphere and transports them. However, more pertinent to the ongoing argument is the fact that strong winds (as in hurricane or near-hurricane force winds) which Scotland is subject to every year,send salt spray MILES inland - not a few feet, or even a few hundred feet. This can be verified in any google search. I think that the issue has been clouded by all this talk about what hits the leaves of the plants. It is clear that the initial post had to do with what happened at the ROOTS of the plants in question. It is VERY evident that rhododendrons cannot have their roots soaked in salt water that sits on them. Constant movement of water through the root zone will wash the salts through them or out of them - but it has to be water that is relatively low in salts, and the plants have to have excellent drainage. A plant sitting in a low spot with salt water swirling around its base is a goner - no question. A plant on a hillside hit with a strong blast of very salty water but subsequently flushed with plenty of water that moves through and out of the root zone will probably be fine. Janet is not claiming that Scottish rhododendrons are living in salt marshes. What she IS claiming is that they live in rather close proximity to the sea in rather salty environments in Scotland - albeit in regions of very high rainfall. "Warren" wrote in message ... Janet Baraclough wrote: The rain, and wind, come from 300 miles of Atlantic ocean and are heavily salt-laden. Next you'll be asserting water can be lit on fire! Salt is NOT evaporated into clouds & precipitation NEVER salinizes soils. Wrong. http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/env...#salt%20source If what you got out of that page is that salt can be evaporated into the clouds, and that rain in coastal areas contains salt, then we can clearly see how little you understand about even the most simple science. The bottom line is rhodies will not grow in a saline environment, no matter how much you want to argue with the experts. And the gardens you are using as proof that the experts are wrong all work hard to protect their rhodies from the saline that could otherwise easily create problems. You can stop trying to be right. You can stop trying to prove that accepted science is wrong. Every time you post, you demonstrate how little you know, and how difficult of a time you have dealing with being wrong. Save us all the pain of watching you dig yourself deeper and deeper into your pit of humiliation. Stop now, because you obviously don't have the temperament to deal with any further embarrassment. -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. Have an outdoor project? Get a Black & Decker power tool:: http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker/ |
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