Atmospheric concentrations and deposition of oxidised sulfur and nitrogen species at Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 1993-1998

Wet-only rainwater composition, acid-precursor gas mixing ratios and aeroso l loading were determined from weekly-averaged samples at Petaling Jaya, Ma laysia, over the five year period from March 1993 to March 1998. Annual dep osition fluxes of acidic sulfur and nitrogen species estimated from these d ata show this site to be heavily impacted by acidic deposition, with total oxidised sulfur plus nitrogen deposition in the range 277-480 meg m(-2) yr( -1). Average contributions were 56% as sulfur species, 44% as nitrogen spec ies, with wet deposition in this region of high rainfall accounting for 67% of total deposition Thus total acid deposition flutes were equivalent to l evels that provided motivation for emissions reduction programs in both Eur ope and North America. The possibility of adverse environmental effects in Malaysia caused by acid deposition therefore merits serious consideration a nd assessment.