Issue 5, 2022

Snow particles physiochemistry: feedback on air quality, climate change, and human health

Abstract

During the last several decades, numerous researchers have provided evidence that physical and biogeochemical processes at air-snow/ice-water interfaces are very complex, and, in many cases, interlinked. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge regarding snow-borne particles. It integrates snow science from different angles: from the formation of snow and precipitation to transformations through natural and anthropogenic processes and impacts and snow management in urban areas sites. We discuss the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of particles in snow, such as their composition, abundance, size distribution, ice nucleation properties, genomic features, and microphysical processes, in urban settings, remote areas of the Arctic, and remote industrial regions (oil sands). We explore physicochemical processes of snow particles: from microbial to emerging contaminants, like nano/microplastics, light-absorbing carbonaceous organics, halogenated and nanometals particles. We review the possible contributions of snow particles to atmospheric radiation and climate, biogeochemistry, human health, and urban snow management. We propose further research directions to improve understanding of air-snow feedback, and sustainable snow management in urban areas, in the age of emerging contaminants in a changing climate.

Graphical abstract: Snow particles physiochemistry: feedback on air quality, climate change, and human health

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Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
08 jun 2022
Accepted
31 jul 2022
First published
05 ago 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 891-920

Snow particles physiochemistry: feedback on air quality, climate change, and human health

R. Rangel-Alvarado, H. Li and P. A. Ariya, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022, 2, 891 DOI: 10.1039/D2EA00067A

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