SNOW CHEMISTRY OF THE CASCADE-SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS

This investigation assesses geographic variations in atmospheric deposition in Washington, Oregon, and California using snow cores from the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains, collected from late February to mid-March 1983. The pH of snow samples ranges from 5. 11 to 5. 88. Sulfate and nitrate correlate with H** plus in some segments of the samples traverse. The SO//4 data show apparent influence from major source areas in Washington and California, nitrate does not. An apparent decrease in NH//4 in snow in Washington and California suggests atmospheric interactions resulting in the removal of NH//4. Heavy-metal correlations included Cd, Cu, and Fe with Pb, and Mn with K and DOC, among others.