Consumption of nitrogen compound from snowpack by microbiological activity

Abstract

The variations of anion concentration and biological activity in the snowpacks were studied at an open site, a deciduous forest site and a coniferous forest site. Concentrations of major anions in the snowpack are higher at the coniferous forest site than at both the open site and the deciduous forest site. Concentrations of major anions gradually decrease as the snowmelt progressed. Concentration of PO₄^3- in the snowpack increases as the snowmelt progressed. Concentration of chlorophyl-a in the snowpack is higher at the coniferous forest site than at both the open site and the deciduous forest site. Concentrations of chlorophyl-a in the snowpack at both deciduous and coniferous forest site increase during the snowmelt season. Activity of snow algae is considered to be large during the snowmelt season.
By the incubation experiment, NO₃ of the sample collected at coniferous forest site is consumed probably by the snow algae. Consumption of nitrogen by Scenedesmus is estimated by the incubation experiment as 220μg/lfrom the snow-pack.