Formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the snow cover at Murododaira, Mt. Tateyama, Japan

Abstract

Measurements of the concentrations of formaldehyde (HCHO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as well as major ions in the snow pit (6.5m deep) at Murododaira (altitude, 2450m), Mt. Tateyama near the coast of the Japan Sea in Central Japan, were performed in April 2011. The peaks of HCHO corresponded to the high nssSO42- layers above a 3.0m depth. The concentrations of deposited HCHO might have been relatively well preserved in the spring layers. HCHO with sulfate aerosols may be transported to Mt. Tateyama from the Asian mainland. The highest concentration of H2O2 was detected in the granular snow (coarse grain, melt forms) layer. The concentrations of H2O2 were low in the layers of compacted snow (fine grain, rounded grains) and solid-type depth hoar (faceted crystals). Post-depositional modification of H2O2 may be more significant than that of HCHO in snow in an alpine region.