Atmospheric and aqueous flux of sulfur in snow

Abstract

Density, morphology, air permeability and liquid water content of snow were characterized and compared with measured deposition velocities to determine the relative importance of physical characteristics on the uptake of SO2 by snow. Highest deposition velocities (0.10 cm/sec) were associated with melting snow. Deposition velocities were higher for new snow (0.055 cm/sec) than for well metamorphosed snow (0.04 cm/sec). Fumigated snow was also used in melt experiments to evaluate the effects of solute distribution on the concentration of meltwater. Meltwater fractions were collected and analyzed for bisulfite, sulfate and nitrate. Both the melt rate and the distribution of the solute within the snowpack and within the snow grain influenced the elution pattern. Highest concentration effects were observed for bisulfite under conditions of slow melt. Concentrations of the initial meltwater were 2 to 4 times that of the bulk snow for sulfate and 2 to 9 times for bisulfite.