Analyzing differently prepared snow samples to determine air quality in the city

Air pollution has a negative impact on human health and the ecosystem as a whole. It causes a variety of diseases, such as asthma, various lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, which particularly affect children and the elderly. The aim of the study is to determine how the preparation of melted snow samples for analysis influences concentrations of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) in snow samples. For snow samples analysis ICP-OES spectrometer "iCAP 7000" is used. In study, 180 snow samples are collected in 60 different locations in Jelgava city. Two different sample preparation methods are used to determine Pb, Zn, Ni, V, Cu, Mn in concentration in snow samples. In the first sample preparation method, the snow samples are filtered through a paper filter and acidified to 1% HNO₃, while in the second preparation method snow samples are acidified to 1% HNO₃, aged for 3 days and then filtered through a paper filter. The results shows that samples that are filtered and then acidified have lower concentrations of contamination than samples acidified with dust. Concentrations of Pb, Zn, Ni, V, Cu, Mn in snow samples between both sample preparation methods differ significantly. The results show that contamination accumulates in dust, and therefore they are the most dangerous to human health.