SNOW pH AND DUST LOADING AT SCHEFFERVILLE, QUEBEC

Abstract

Problems of acid precipitation in association with industrial activity in areas such as the Great Lakes region are now well-known (e.g. Hornbeck et al., 1977), and the Canadian Network for Sampling Precipitation (CANSAP) has established monitoring stations across Canada. In communities in northern Canada, however, especially in winter, a considerable amount of SO2 is liberated locally. It is therefore important to be able to separate local effects from the regional or continental ones, but most CANSAP stations utilize a single collector, the position of which may not be representative of the general conditions in the locality. The Schefferville, Quebec, area presents a good opportunity to evaluate the local effects of a small area (˜ 1 km2) source in winteras no industrial activity other than ore-extraction takes place. The only gaseous contaminants liberated locally are derived from fuel oil, and the only particulates come from well-defined mine and dump areas. Here we present measurements of snow pH and dust loading in the Schefferville area, consider the importance of local gaseous and particulate pollutants, compare these with pollutants from distant sources, and assess the significance of the pollution patterns.