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Preliminary measurements of CO 2 in melting snow
Author(s) -
Sommerfeld R. A.,
Musselman R. C.,
Reuss J. O.,
Mosier A. R.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/91gl01502
Subject(s) - meltwater , snow , alkalinity , snowpack , snowmelt , environmental science , transect , atmospheric sciences , decomposition , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental chemistry , chemistry , geology , geomorphology , organic chemistry , oceanography , geotechnical engineering
Measurements of CO 2 near the snow‐soil interface showed elevated concentrations up to 2120 ppmv. Concentrations greater than 1700 ppmv were observed 0.45 m above the snow‐soil interface. The increase in CO 2 concentrations in the snow coincided with the beginning of melt. Measurements of the pH and alkalinity of the meltwater from the base of the snowpack were consistent with the measured CO 2 levels. Decreases in pH at constant alkalinity of up to 0.8 units were associated with the excess CO 2 . The origin of the excess CO 2 is uncertain but may be related to litter decomposition. Elevated levels of CO 2 near the snow‐soil interface at the start of melt could have important effects on meltwater chemistry, especially since streams at this time flow under a covering of snow preventing equilibration with atmospheric CO 2 .