Himalayan snow chemistry: Chemical composition of fresh snow samples from Kashmir valley
F.A. Lone1and M.A. Khan2*
1Division of Environmental Sciences, Shalimar Campus, S.K.University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, 191121 Kashmir India
2GPO Box 726, Srinagar, 190001 Kashmir India
http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.2.1.03
The present paper deals with variability in snow chemistry of various sites spread in six districts of the Kashmir Himalayan valley, experiencing frequent snow fall during winter ( Dec.- Feb). Chemical composition of fresh snow samples shows wide changes in pH (5.8–7.3), dissolved oxygen content (22-26 mg L-1), and total alkalinity (2-3 mg L-1). The levels ( mg L-1) of calcium (13.3– 28 ), magnesium (8-12 ), chloride (15-30), sulphate (2-8), silicate (1-4) and nitrate (1.9-3.9) differed considerably. The study makes a strong plea for in-depth investigations of snow chemistry of little-explored Himalayan region, useful for assessing the impact of environmental pollution.
Chemistry; Major Ionic Composition; Fresh - Snow; Site-Variability; Kashmir Himalaya.
Copy the following to cite this article:
Lone F.A, Khan M.A. Himalayan snow chemistry: Chemical composition of fresh snow samples from Kashmir valley. Curr World Environ 2007;2(1):17-20 DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.2.1.03
Copy the following to cite this URL:
Lone F.A, Khan M.A. Himalayan snow chemistry: Chemical composition of fresh snow samples from Kashmir valley. Curr World Environ 2007;2(1):17-20. Available from://www.a-i-l-s-a.com/?p=615
