Atmospheric pollution indicated by trace elements in snow from the northern slope of Cho Oyu range, Himalayas

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences 2011-05, Vol.63 (2), p.311-320
• Main Authors: Liu, Yaping, Hou, Shugui, Hong, Sungmin, Hur, Soon-Do, Lee, Khanghyun, Wang, Yetang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: air; Air masses; Air pollution; altitude; Anthropogenic factors; arsenic; Atmospheric aerosols; Atmospheric pollution; barium; Biogeosciences; Cadmium; chromium; cobalt; copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental science; Environmental Science and Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Geology; Hydrology/Water Resources; ions; Lead; manganese; Marine and continental quaternary; Mass spectrometry; monsoon season; Monsoons; nickel; Original Article; oxygen; pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Seasonal variability; seasonal variation; Seasonal variations; Seasons; Snow; Stable isotopes; strontium; summer; Summer monsoon; Surficial geology; Terrestrial Pollution; tin; Trace elements; Trace elements in atmosphere; Trace elements in snow; Westerlies; Zinc
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-010-0714-0

Samples collected from a 0.87 m snow pit at a high altitude site in the Cho Oyu range, Himalayas were measured for V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, and U using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, major ions, oxygen stable isotopes, and microparticles were also measured to assist the interpretation of seasonal variation of trace elements. The trace elements show a distinct seasonality, i.e., higher concentrations during the non-monsoon season than those during the monsoon season. Significant correlation is observed between Ba and the other trace elements. Crustal enrichment factor (EFc) analysis indicates that V, Mn, Co, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Th originate mainly from crustal dust, while anthropogenic inputs make an important contribution to the other trace elements (i.e., Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ti, Pb, Bi, and U). Evidence from air mass back trajectories suggests that atmospheric trace element pollution reaching the studied area is transported dominantly by Indian summer monsoon during the monsoon season, while it is transported mainly by the westerlies during the non-monsoon season.