An indirect study of air pollution by neutron activation analysis of snow

Al, As, Br, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were determined in the soluble and insoluble fractions of snow which was collected at 6 differents sites in the Montreal area. From these data the variability coefficients and the enrichment factors were calculated and the probable sources of each element are discussed. The overall concentrations found in the snow were compared with the concentrations of these elements in the air sampled in the same area by high volume samplers. From these, the snow-out ratios for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V and Zn and their mean were calculated. They are equal to 3338, 3389, 2322, 526, 563, 2603 and 2913 m³/kg respectively.