Spring peaks of major and trace elements in snow at Asuka Station, East Antarctica

In the austral spring of 1991,drifting snow samples were collected at Asuka Station (71°32\u27S, 24°08\u27E, 930m above sea level) in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica. A total of 36 elements including Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Al, Li, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Pb, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Th in snow were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Major soluble ions (Cl, NO_3 and SO_4^) of the snow were also determined by ion chromatography. Based on data available for comparison, the concentration ranges of the elements in Antarctic snow are one to four orders of magnitude smaller than those of Arctic snow. Pronounced peak concentrations of most of the elements and non sea salt sulfate were observed in late September to early October at Asuka Station. Before the peak concentration, enrichment factor analysis indicates that Na, Mg, Ca, K and Sr are of sea salt origins and Al, Fe, Mn, Rb, Cr, Ni, Ga, V and all the rare earth elements are of crustal origin. After the peak concentration, sea salt and crustal enrichment factors showed several fold increase. Chloride ion shows a strong correlation with Na. The precipitation of anomalously enriched elements with non sea salt sulfates could be derived from anthropogenic matter and volcanism, possibly from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption (June 1991) or the Mt. Hudson eruption (August 1991)