Snow Contamination Research Articles

Snow contamination from washout/rainout and dry deposition

The deposition of air pollutants in the Bergen region, Western Norway, is investigated by a very simple and inexpensive method. Dry snow was sampled from the ground at 46 locations just after a snowfall and then three days later. Consistent and logical patterns for the two days were found for sulphate, magnesium, calcium, zinc, pH value and conductivity. The rate of the dry deposition in the rural areas was significantly smaller than the rate of washout/rainout. In the city area these two rates were of the same magnitude.

Lead contamination of snow

Abstract Snow from disposal sites and along roads contained considerable lead due to the combustion of leaded gasolines by automobiles. In spite of lead concentrations up to 4330 ppm in the sample sediment, the highest concentration in the filtrates was 0.21 ppm with the average, 0.04 ppm. Thus, the dumping of snow away from water-courses instead of directly into them significantly reduces lead contamination of the waters from this source.

Ventilating systems for railway traction equipment

IN THE EARLY STAGES of the development of railway traction equipment the need for some form of ventilation became evident. This need increased with the continuing demand for increased output. As a result, cooling systems evolved from self- to forced ventilation. Their development was not, however, an unmixed benefit. Any ventilation tends to draw dirt, snow, moisture, and other contaminants into the machine, with harmful results. The undesirable effects may be reduced by design measures aimed at the following: 1. making the components more resistant to damage, 2. preventing the accumulation of foreign matter in critical locations, and 3. cleaning the air before it enters the machines The proper measures to employ in a given instance are determined by design, practical and economic consideration.