# Quick Analysis of the Influence of the Monsoon on the Concentration of Inorganic Anthropogenic Particles in the Air

## TL;DR

This study examines how monsoon rains in Brazil help remove human-made particles from the air by collecting and analyzing rainwater samples.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence that rainfall can remove airborne anthropogenic particles, with particle abundance increasing after dry periods.

## Key findings

- Rainwater collected in Macapá, Brazil, contained 194 inorganic anthropogenic particles from 225 ml of water.
- Particle abundance increased with the number of rain-free days preceding rainfall.
- The study suggests rainfall contributes to the atmospheric removal of anthropogenic particles.

## Abstract

Anthropogenic particles occur in various aquatic environments, and rainwater acts as a carrier of these contaminants by incorporating them into water droplets. To test the potential of rainfall to remove airborne particles, rainwater was collected three times during the rainy season in the municipality of Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. Chemical digestion and filtration protocols were applied to identify particles. A total of 225 ml of rainwater yielded 194 particles. Particle abundance increased with the number of preceding rain-free days, suggesting that rainfall may contribute to the atmospheric removal of these particles.