Acidity and Chemistry of Arizona's Snowpacks

by Peter F. Ffolliott, Univ of Arizona, Tucson, United States,
Vicente L. Lopes, Univ of Arizona, Tucson, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Management of Irrigation and Drainage Systems: Integrated Perspectives

Abstract:

Acid snow, the frozen version of the acid rain phenomena, has been sampled in several western states, e.g., California, Nevada, Montana, and Oregon. Measurements of snowpack acidity in the southwestern United States have been unreported, however, leading to this exploratory study of acidity and chemistry of Arizona's snowpacks. Results of sampling in the winter of 1991-92 showed little evidence of widespread acidity problems. The pH values observed were clustered around 5.98, with the normal frequency distribution of these values being similar to those found elsewhere in the western states. Concentrations of selected chemical constituents sampled, including K, Na, Ca, Mg, F, Cl NO3, and SO4, were low.

Subject Headings: Snow | Frequency distribution | Alkalinity and acidity | Acid rain | pH | Chemistry | Water quality | United States | Arizona | California | Nevada | Montana | Oregon

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