Dictionary of Allergies .. Atmospheric deposition

The delivery of pollutants from the atmosphere to either land or water. Sometimes called "air deposition." Air deposition can be: 1. Wet deposition. Precipitation (rain, sleet, snow) which brings pollutants into a system. 2. Dry deposition. Pollutants deposited without precipitation: either as gasses or adsorbed to dust particles. 3. Direct deposition: The deposition of pollutants directly onto the surface of a body of water. 4. Indirect deposition. Pollutants deposited on land which then wash into a body of water.

References

Aas W, Alleman LY, Bieber E, Gladtke D, Houdret JL, Karlsson V, Monies C.Comparison of methods for measuring atmospheric deposition of arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead. J Environ Monit. 2009 Jun;11(6):1276-83.