Major Ions

Major ions data consist of the following key ions in precipitation: Cl-, NO3-, SO4=, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++. The data sets typically also include the pH and depth of the precipitation sample. These data are collected by several provincial, national and bi-national networks. The wet-only precipitation collector samples precipitation only when it rains or snows. A snow gauge and/or a rain gauge measure the amount of precipitation that has fallen during the measurement period. Measurement periods may be 24 hours or weekly cycles depending on the operating procedures of each network. The amount of wet deposition of a pollutant is calculated by multiplying the measured amount of precipitation by the concentration of the pollutant in the precipitation.

Supplemental Information Supporting Projects: Canadian National Atmospheric Chemistry Database and Analysis System (NAtChem)

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 20:08 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 20:08 (UTC)
contact_person {}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope ["0"]
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2016-08-10 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"fr": ["Air", "qualité de l’air", "surveillance atmosphérique", "chimie des précipitations atmosphériques", "réseaux et études", "NAtChem", "Réseau canadien d’échantillonnage des précipitations et de l’air", "RCEPA", "Programme de surveillance de la qualité des précipitations de l’Alberta", "PSQPA", "ions importants", "pluies acides", "norme d’échange des données", "Atmosphère"], "en": ["Air", "Air Quality", "Atmospheric Monitoring", "NAtChem", "Networks and Studies", "CAPMoN", "Alberta Precipitation Quality Monitoring Program", "APQMP", "Precipitation Chemistry", "Major ions", "Wet deposition", "Total deposition", "Acid Rain", "data exchange standard", "DES", "Atmosphere"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Ions importants
update_frequency as_needed