Abstract
Vertical distribution changes of water quality (pH, Conductivity and turbidity) in snowpack were investigated at the area of Mt. Gassan in Yamagata prefecture. Snowpack-melting water samples were collected at two different points from January to May in 1993. Ion concentration of new snow was above 50μS/cm and it was decreasing with changes of snow type from compacted snow to granular one. Profile of pH and Conductivity (EC) in snowpack had many peaks because of the difference of snow type, existence of ice layers and colored layers. High pH layer with high concentration of turbidity was observed in snowpack, and it contained rich concentration of Ca2+. Its yellow color and high concentration of Ca2+ indicated that turbid substance was Kosa aerozol (Yellow sand dust), and increase of pH was attributed to dissolution of Ca2+. Black pollutants were appeared at March investigation on the surface of snowpack and it seemed that main source of supply was stem and branch of trees.
