Estimation of dry deposition fluxes of major inorganic species by canopy throughfall approach

Dry deposition in China has not yet been intensively studied even though it constitutes an important pathway for acid deposition. The total deposition was monitored at Tieshanping catchment, a regional remote site in Chongqing City. The dry deposition loads of sulphur, calcium and nitrogen are estimated by using a canopy throughfall approach. The results indicate that the annual dry deposition loads of sulphur and calcium at Tieshanping site are much higher than those measured in forestry areas in other countries, while the dry deposition flux of nitrogen is at a comparable level. The dry deposition loads of sulphur, calcium and nitrogen are all higher than the wet deposition loads. Applying a canopy budget model has proven that the routine; simplified canopy throughfall approach may underestimate the dry deposition flux of nitrogen-containing species.