Snowfall induced by a power plant plume

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL005i006p00515· OSTI ID:6700083

Parungo, F P; Allee, P A; Weickmann, H K

Fly ash released from a coal-fired power plant was detected as active ice nuclei. Observational evidence is presented that the plume aerosol inadvertently seeded supercooled fog and induced local snowfall. Snow crystals were replicated and examined with an electron microscope. Individual ice nuclei were analyzed with an X-ray energy spectrometer. Most ice nuclei contained Si, Al, S, Ca, and Fe which are major components of fly ash. It is interesting to note that plume aerosol can seed clouds at temperatures as warm as -5 /sup 0/C and produce needle-shaped snow crystals.

• Research Organization: Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry Laboratory, NOAA-ERL, Boulder, Colorado 80303
• OSTI ID: 6700083
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 5:6; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200200* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOL WASTES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FLY ASH
FOG
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
PLUMES
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
SNOW
SOLS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTES