Acid snowpack chemistry in Pennsylvania, 1979-1981

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Water Resour. Bull.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1983.tb05950.x· OSTI ID:6106002

Dewalle, D R; Sharpe, W E; Izbicki, J A; Wirries, D L

Snowpack chemistry was evaluated with repeated surveys at 30 sampling sites across Pennsylvania during 1979-1981. The mean snowpack pH of 4.25 of 280 samples was largely due the H/sup +/ from nitric acid. Snowpack sulfates were high, especially in the southwest sector of the state, where SO/sub 2/ emissions were also high. Rain-on-snow and coastal storm snowpacks produced higher snowpack pH. Localized increases in snowpack pH were found due to additions of dust from limestone and dolomite quarry operations, especially in the central ridge and valley province. Acid loading on the landscape from snow in Pennsylvania is controlled by the total amount of snowfall as well as variations in concentrations of chemical constituents. 16 references, 8 figures, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
• OSTI ID: 6106002
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 19:6; ISSN WARBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DUSTS
FEDERAL REGION III
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LIMESTONE
NITRIC ACID
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
PH VALUE
POLLUTION SOURCES
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
RAIN
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SNOW
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
USA
WASHOUT