Wet and dry deposition of formaldehyde in Izmir, Turkey

Samples were collected between May 2003 and May 2004 in Izmir, Turkey to measure dry and wet deposition of formaldehyde (HCHO). Particle-phase HCHO fluxes measured with dry deposition plates ranged between 2 and 56 microg m(-2) day(-1) (average+/-SD, 17+/-12 microg m(-2) day(-1)). Particulate phase dry deposition velocities calculated using the particulate fluxes measured and ambient particulate concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 9.6 cm s(-1) (1.4+/-1.4 cm s(-1)). The particulate overall dry deposition velocity agreed well with those measured previously for other pollutants using the same method. Formaldehyde concentration measured in 27 rain samples collected at the sampling site ranged between 10 and 304 microg l(-1). The annual formaldehyde wet deposition was calculated as 31.4 mg m(-2) year(-1). The annual HCHO total deposition (wet+dry) was dominated by wet deposition (83.7%).