Influence of inorganic anions from atmospheric depositions on weathering steel corrosion and metal release

•Individual effects of Cl−, NO3−, SO42− solutions on weathering steel were studied.•NO3− started to influence corrosion only by overcoming concentration/time thresholds.•Cl− caused linear increase of mass loss and metal release with concentration/time.•SO42− promoted passivation and suppresses metal release with concentration/time.•Amount of released metals changed with metal, anion, concentration, time.