Possible contribution of triboelectricity to snow–air interactions
Ekaterina Y. Tkachenko A C and Sergey G. Kozachkov B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Antarctic Geoecology, Institute of Geological Science, NAS of Ukraine, 55b Gonchara Street, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine.
B Donau Lab, 73 Laureatska Street, Kyiv, 03026, Ukraine.
C Corresponding author. Email: ktkachenko@igs-nas.org.ua
Environmental Chemistry 9(2) 109-115 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN10074
Submitted: 10 July 2010 Accepted: 29 June 2011 Published: 13 September 2011
Journal Compilation © CSIRO Publishing 2012 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Environmental context. Polar near-surface snow can act as a chemical reactor that alters the composition and chemistry of snow and the overlying air. Although the mechanisms and driving forces of these reactions have long been debated, triboelectrification (production of electrostatic charges by friction) of snow by wind has not yet been considered as a factor. It is proposed that in polar regions, triboelectrification could significantly influence the composition and chemistry of snow.
Abstract. Reactions that proceed in polar snow cover may significantly affect the chemistry of the overlying atmosphere, but mechanisms and driving forces of these reactions are still under discussion. The proposed hypothesis attempts to explain some experimental data that cannot be fully understood (e.g. the effect of wind on OH radicals, ozone and persistent organic pollutants levels) by taking into account the influence of electrical phenomena on the snow surface. We assumed that a combination of such factors as low humidity, high wind speed and low temperatures makes the influence of triboelectrification of snow significant for polar areas, where purity and the depth of snow cover prevent fast charge dissipation. The major points of the hypothesis are: (1) when the electric field reaches a value sufficient for the onset of corona discharge, various free radical processes are initiated resulting in changes in the concentrations of ozone, OH radical, nitrate, etc., and the decomposition of pollutant molecules; (2) the high electric field can stimulate transport of ions (such as bromide and nitrate) from the condensed phase to the gas phase; and (3) the ageing of charged snow can increase its electrical potential.
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