Summary
The aims of this study are to (1) examine the magnitude and spatial variability in the concentration and flux of wet-deposited major cations and anions to the Central Arizona–Phoenix region, including the developed urban core and outlying desert, and (2) to examine patterns of coarse dry-particulate deposition across the study area and provide some minimum estimates on levels of dry deposition of these ions. The study is designed, particularly, to answer the question: to what extent are concentrations and fluxes of these ions enhanced within the urban core relative to the undeveloped desert. As part of this monitoring, the CAP LTER maintains two wet-dry collectors, one each at an urban location (Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ) and outlying desert area (Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ); an additional bulk-deposition (wet+dry) collector is maintained at the Tempe location for comparison across the LTER network.