Black snow episodes in austria

Abstract

Two “black” snow episodes in the Salzburg region of Austria were studied. The melted snow samples were fractionated into soluble and solid portions. The solid fraction was analyzed for C, S, N, and trace metals; the solution was analyzed for ions, pH, and conductivity. The solid fraction of the black snow contained > 30% C, ∼1% S, and 2% N. The carbon content of the black snow was 1000 times higher than that of the “white snow.” The NO3− and SO4= content of the black snow was, respectively, 20 and 80 times higher than in the white snow. Trajectory analyses indicate that the black snow originated 200 to 300 km to the northeast of the sampling sites. © 1989 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.