Snow Samples as Markers of Air Pollution in Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Abstract

Snow can store with minimal further modifications the air born pollutants carried by winds over long distances. The "Cold Finger" phenomenon carries the pollutants from warmer zones toward cold ones i.e., to Polar Regions and high mountains. This automatic natural sample storage keeps them in fall out layers. Mass spectrometry provides information not only on the structures of the pollutants but also on their relations and sources. This issue helps in the analysis of even distant sources of pollution, as well as the problems of transboundary transfer. Both targeted and non-targeted analyses are applicable. Examples are given to illustrate the values of these technologies in the identification of distant pollution sources in Antarctica, Canada, Greenland, Finland, Russia, etc.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the snow cover of the northern city agglomeration

“…The comparison of the obtained PAH concentrations with those measured in Moscow snow 33 indicates an order of magnitude lower level of pollution in Arkhangelsk. Moreover, even the maximum measured concentrations of PAHs were inferior to the average levels in Swedish cities similar to Arkhangelsk in terms of climatic conditions 29 .…”

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in the Snow Cover of the Northern City Agglomeration 

“…The average concentration of the total PAHs content in the snow in the area of the Moscow (ring road) is at the level of 2899 ng / kg of snow. [10]. The total PAHs concentrations in fresh snow and snow cover in Changchun city ranged from 26.6 to 36.9 µg L − 1 and from 40.3 to 105.9 µg L − 1 , respectively.…”

“…Snow is easily sampled for subsequent analysis to determine inorganic and organic substances. [9,10].…”

A Comprehensive Review on Sources, Types, Impact and Challenges of Air Pollution

“…al., 2019). "Grasshopper" and "Cold Finger" mechanisms for the transportation of air contaminants to the polar region have been presented by Lebedev et. al., (2015) and Bhardwaj et.…”