Abstract
Chemical composition of snow crystals has been investigated by the analysis of snow samples collected separately according to snow crystal shapes. The chemical elements analysed were Cl, Na, NH4, SO4, Mg, Ca, NO2, Fe and Si. Snow crystals collected were classified into several groups ; columns, rimed or not rimed dendrites, rimed radiating dendrites and graupels, etc. It has been found that the chemical composition shows marked dependence on the shape of snow crystals as follows;
(1) The concentrations of Na, Cl and NH4 in columnar crystals were lowest among those in all shapes of crystals.
(2) The concentration of NH4 was highest in dendritic crystals.
(3) The concentrations of C1 and Na were highest in graupel. The relative concentration of the chemical elements of graupel was close to that of sea water.
