Intercomparison of snow sampling and analysis within the alpine-wide snowpack investigation (SNOSP)

Abstract

Abstract. In order to investigate the seasonal and geographical distribution of snow concentrations and deposition fluxes of environmentally relevant ionic species in the Alps, the international program SNOSP was initiated. In the framework of this program, intercomparisons of snow sampling SO4-,K ,Na +,NH +, techniques and analytical methods to determine the ionic species CI-, NO~, ' + Mg -'+, and Ca 2+ , as well as the pH and the specific conductivity were performed. The concentrations of these species in the snow samples collected in the SNOSP program varied by orders of magnitude with, e.g., concentrations of NO 3, SO~-, and NH + ranging from 0.2-60, 0.2-90, and 0.1-60 iLeq L -t, respectively. The intercomparisons revealed a reasonable agreement of the determinations of the species CI-, NO 3 , SOl-, Na +, and NH + in snow. Results were less satisfactory for K +, Mg e+, Ca 2+, and H +, mainly due to the very low concentrations. In conclusion, recommendations are formulated for the reliable derivation of chemical inventories from snow packs.

Melt‐Induced Fractionation of Major Ions and Trace Elements in an Alpine Snowpack

“…NH 4 + also shows a pronounced maximum toward summer due to enhanced emissions from agricultural activities and stronger convection (Baltensperger et al, ). Higher concentrations of NH 4 + in the springtime snowfall compared to wintertime snowfall at WFJ were also observed by Schwikowski et al (). Ca 2+ and Cl − , unlike NH 4 + , have higher concentrations in the wintertime snow than in spring.…”

“…Sampling dates were 25 January, 22 February, 21 March, 17 April, and 1 June. Earlier snow sampling studies suggest uniform spatial snow deposition and insignificant perturbations of the snow stratigraphy due to strong winds at this site (Baltensperger et al, ; Schwikowski et al, ). Samples were obtained from the snow pits either 1 day before or after the weekly density measurements with 3‐cm resolution, which were part of an extensive snowpack monitoring program of the WSL‐Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research during the winter season 2016/2017 (Calonne et al, ).…”

“…The snow pit samples were found to be representative of precipitation deposition during the winter. Snow pit sampling, sample handling procedures, and chemical analysis of MIs were further refined by Schwikowski et al (). In addition, the seasonal variability in deposition and the different emission sources of impurities were reflected in the vertical distribution of MIs in the snowpack (Schwikowski et al, ).…”

Sources and distribution of trace species in Alpine precipitation inferred from two 60-year ice core paleorecords

“…in the Alps was the SNOSP (SNOw Sampling Program) (see e.g. Schwikowski et al, 1997). Within this program, snow concentrations and deposition fluxes of nine major ions (NH + 4 © EGU 2004 H + ) were determined at glaciers from the southwestern end of the French Alps to the eastern part of the Austrian Alps.…”