Release of Major Ions and Hydrogen Peroxide from Homogeneous, Melting Snow

We undertook two laboratory experiments to study the change of concentrations and the preferential elution of major ions and hydrogen peroxide during melting of a homogeneous snow pack. The elution sequence was as follows: alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and protons > anions > NH₄+ > H₂O₂. We explain the late elution of Cl−, NH4+ and H₂O₂ by high ice/water partition coefficients and a more even distribution of the two ions as well as of H₂O₂ within the ice crystal due to formation processes of snow particles in the atmosphere.