Snow as an expedient sorbent for hazardous materials

Abstract

Laboratory tests indicate that snow can be an effective sorbent for spills of insoluble hazardous materials. Fresh snow was found to be the most effective, followed by old snow and wet snow. The sorption ratios ranged from 0.24 g/g of snow to 3.12 g/g of snow depending on the type of snow and hazardous material. Although these sorption ratios are much lower than those for some commercial sorbents, adequate snow quantities for spill cleanup should be available at most snowcovered sites. Also, a column study indicated that much of the adsorbed liquid will drain out if soon after it is mixed with the snow. A hypothetical scenario is presented that shows how snow might be used as a sorbent in a typical spill.