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PubMed2003

Are lichens active under snow in continental Antarctica?

Photosynthetic activity, detected as chlorophyll a fluorescence, was measured for lichens under undisturbed snow in continental Antarctica using fibre optics. The fibre optics had been buried by winter snowfall after being put in place the previous year under snow-free conditions. The fibre optics were fixed in place using specially designed holding devices so that the fibre ends were in close proximity to selected lichens. Several temperature and PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density) sensors were also installed in or close to the lichens. By attaching a chlorophyll a fluorometer to the previously placed fibre optics it proved possible to measure in vivo potential photosynthetic activity of continental Antarctic lichens under undisturbed snow. The snow cover proved to be a very good insulator for the mosses and lichens but, in contrast to the situation reported for the maritime Antarctic, it retained the severe cold of the winter and prevented early warming. Therefore, the lichens and mosses under snow were kept inactive at subzero temperatures for a prolonged time, even though the external ambient air temperatures would have allowed metabolic activity. The results suggest that the major activity period of the lichens was at the time of final disappearance of the snow and lasted about 10-14 days. The activation of lichens under snow by high air humidity appeared to be very variable and species specific. Xanthoria mawsonii was activated at temperatures below -10 degrees C through absorption of water from high air humidity. Physcia dubia showed some activation at temperatures around -5 degrees C but only became fully activated at thallus temperatures of 0 degrees C through liquid water. Candelariella flava stayed inactive until thallus temperatures close to zero indicated that liquid water had become available. Although the snow cover represented the major water supply for the lichens, lichens only became active for a brief time at or close to the time the snow disappeared. The snow did not provide a protected environment, as reported for alpine habitats, but appeared to limit lichen activity. This provides at least one explanation for the observed negative effect of extended snow cover on lichen growth.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2004

Use and validation of novel snow samplers for hydrophobic, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs).

Two novel gas-tight snow samplers (snow-can and snow-tube) are presented and the performance of the snow-can in a field trial was assessed. The methodology for the sampling, extraction and analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are detailed. These samplers allow the various components of a snow sample to be analysed separately; these included the meltwater (MW), particulate matter (GFF) and vapour in the headspace (HS). Snow samples collected on the Punta Indren glacier in the Italian Alps revealed the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OC). Replicate samples of the same snow type were undertaken as a test of sampling precision. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) for SigmaPCBs and SigmaPAHs were approximately 30% and approximately 35% respectively. The lowest precision was found for the particle-laden snow, notably for the heavier PCB homologues. For the chlorinated compounds, the pesticides lindane and endosulfan-I had the highest levels in snow, with mean concentrations of 402 and 103 pgl(-1) (snow meltwater) respectively. The vapour present in the headspace (HS) comprised a minor component of a collected sample for all compounds, but HS concentrations for three lighter PAHs gave good agreement with those calculated based on their dimensionless Henry's law constants. This suggests that volatilisation during melting of aged snow-can be reasonably predicted with knowledge of the temperature-dependent Henry's law constant.

Altitude↗

PubMed2005

Rapid changes in PCB and OC pesticide concentrations in arctic snow.

The short-term fate of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides in the surface snowpack was investigated by taking consecutive air and snow samples over a 12 day period at Tromsø in the Norwegian Arctic. A wide range in PCB and OC pesticide concentrations was observed in snow and was attributed to the systematic decrease in concentrations that occurred over the study period. For example, sigmaPCB concentrations ranged from 2500 to 300 pg L(-1) (meltwater) with a rapid decrease observed during the first 96 h. Rates of decline (ks) conformed to first-order kinetics, with similar rates observed for all compounds measured in this study (k5 = 0.01 +/- 0.001 h(-1)). Because the particle bound fraction accounted for <10% of the individual PCB and OC burden in the snow, then the fraction lost may be accounted for by desorption, following notable increases in snow density (and presumably, decreases in snow surface area). The fraction of chemical present in the fresh snow (phis) was found to be exponentially related to changes in snow density (deltarho). Relatively small increases in p following snowfall result in a large loss of sorbed chemical, presumably due to decreases in snow surface area. Later sampling of the same snow layer, but buried under fresh snowfall, revealed a notable increase in both PCB and OC concentrations. This would indicate a possible downward migration of these chemicals from the fresh snow into deeper snow layers, suggesting that re-emission of desorbed chemical from the interstitial pore spaces to the overlying atmosphere may be complicated by this process.

Arctic Regions↗

PubMed2001

Acoustic waveform inversion with application to seasonal snow covers.

The amplitude and waveform shape of atmospheric acoustic pulses propagating horizontally over a seasonal snow cover are profoundly changed by the air forced into the snow pores as the pulses move over the surface. This interaction greatly reduces the pulse amplitude and elongates the waveform compared to propagation above other ground surfaces. To investigate variations in snow-cover effects, acoustic pulses were recorded while propagating horizontally over 11 different naturally occurring snow covers during two winters. Two inversion procedures were developed to automatically match the observed waveforms by varying the snow-cover parameters in theoretical calculations. A simple frequency-domain technique to match the dominant frequency of the measured waveform suffered from multiple solutions and poor waveform matching, while a time-domain minimization method gave unique solutions and excellent waveform agreement. Results show that the effective flow resistivity and depth of the snow are the parameters controlling waveform shape, with the pore shape factor ratio of secondary importance. Inversion estimates gave flow resistivities ranging from 11 to 29 kN s m(-4), except for two late-season cases where values of 60 and 140 were determined (compared to 345 for the vegetation-covered site in the summer). Acoustically determined snow depths agreed with the measured values in all but one case, when the depth to a snow layer interface instead of the total snow depth was determined. Except for newly fallen snow, the pore shape factor ratio values clustered near two values that appear to correspond to wet (1.0) or dry (0.8) snow.

Acoustics↗

PubMed2004

[Influence of shelterbelts structure on snow distribution pattern in shelternets in Northeast China].

The amount of snow that falls in farmland during winter in Northeast China is the important source of soil water in farmland, so the influence of shelterbelt structure on snow distribution pattern is the key problem in order to adjust structure of shelterbelts according to porosity in management practice. Based on snow depths in shelternets composed of shelterbelts with three levels of porosity, which were shelternet No. 1, shelternet No. 2, and shelternet No. 3, the snow distribution patterns in farmland were studied. The results showed that the structure of shelternet had great influence on snow distribution in farmland. With different levels of porosities, spatial pattern of snow distribution were obviously different in three shelternets. The more variant in porosity, the more obvious difference in snow distribution pattern, and the best uniformity of snow distribution appeared in shelternet with porosity of phi 2w = 0.579, phi 2s = 0.268, in which snow depth in farmland was relative even and the variability of snow depth was the least. Consequently, the relationship of porosity of shelterbelt with snow distribution pattern could be used to guide structure adjustment and optimization management of shelterbelts.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2005

Gender and snow crab occupational asthma in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Fish and shellfish processing employs many thousands of people globally, with shellfish processing becoming more important in recent years. Shellfish processing is associated with multiple occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. Snow crab occupational asthma (OA) is work-related asthma associated with processing snow crab. We present a gender analysis of findings from a 3-year multifaceted study of snow crab OA in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The study was carried out in four snow crab processing communities between 2001 and 2004. An anonymous survey questionnaire on knowledge, beliefs, and concerns related to processing snow crab administered to 158 workers attending community meetings at the start of the research found that women were significantly more likely than men to associate certain health problems, especially chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and cough, with crab processing (P<0.001). Worker health assessments carried out with 215 processing workers (187 current/28 former; 120 female/95 male) found that female participants were more likely to be diagnosed as almost certain/highly probable snow crab OA and allergy (P=0.001) and to be sensitized to snow crab (P=0.01) than male participants. Work histories from the health assessments were used to classify processing jobs as male or female. Allergen sampling (211 allergen samples: 115 area, 96 personal breathing zone) indicated that the plant areas where these male jobs were concentrated were associated with lower levels of aerosolized crab allergens (the agents responsible for OA to snow crab) than areas associated with female jobs. This difference was statistically significant in the two plants with poor ventilation (p<0.001 and P=0.017 for these plants). A gender analysis of work history data showed that female health assessment participants were likely to have worked longer processing snow crab than males (5 years versus 3.5 years, respectively). Cross-referencing of work history results with allergen sampling data for male and female job areas showed a gender difference in median cumulative exposures (duration of exposure x level of exposures) for health assessment participants. Health assessment participants with estimated higher median cumulative exposures were more likely to receive a diagnosis of almost certain/highly probable OA and allergy. Semistructured interviews with 27 health assessment participants (24 female/ 3 male) with a diagnosis of almost certain/highly probable or possible snow crab OA indicated that these workers can experience substantial quality of life impacts while working and that they seek to reduce the economic impact of their illness by remaining at their jobs as long as possible. Indications of selection bias and other study limitations point to the need for more research exploring the relationship between the gender division of labor and knowledge, beliefs, and concerns about snow crab processing, as well as gender differences in prevalence, quality of life, and socioeconomic impact.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Analysis of element accumulation in cell wall attached and intracellular particles of snow algae by EELS and ESI.

Snow algae frequently occur in alpine and polar permanent snow ecosystems and have developed adaptations to their harsh environment, where extreme temperature regimes high irradiation and low nutrient levels prevail. They live in a unique microhabitat, namely the liquid water between snow crystals. The predominant form appears as 'red snow' and in polar environment also 'green snow' frequently occurs. Light microscopy showed that most cells are densely covered by non-biotic particles of so far unknown composition. As snow normally contains very low amounts of nutrients, introduced mainly airborne like dust and precipitation, the inorganic particles at the surface of the snow algae may be important for their survival. By using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI), we investigated element distribution in ultrathin sections of snow algae from different polar (Svalbard, 5 m a.s.l., 79 degrees N and maritime Antarctic, King George Island, 10 m a.s.l., 62 degrees S) and alpine habitats (2400-3100 m a.s.l. Tyrol) for the present study. It turned out that the main elements of the cell wall attached particles are Si, Al, Fe and O independently from the origin of the snow algae. Interestingly, the same elements were also found in vacuolar compartments inside the cells. These vacuoles contain electron dense granules or crystals and are frequently found to be connected to the cortical cytoplasm. This finding suggests an uptake mechanism of the respective elements by pinocytosis. Co-transport of toxic aluminium together with silicon may be unavoidable as the inorganic nutrient uptake of the snow algae is limited to the thin water layer between the ice crystals. However, formation of insoluble aluminium silicates may serve as detoxification mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Specific surface area of snow samples determined by CH4 adsorption at 77 K and estimated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Snow is a divided medium that can adsorb atmospheric trace gases. Evaluating the impact of the snow cover on atmospheric chemistry therefore requires the knowledge of the specific surface area (SSA) of snow. This paper compares the results of three methods used to measure or estimate the SSA of four snow samples: CH4 adsorption at 77 K, optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM, used only on two samples). Within error bars, CH4 adsorption and OM yield similar results on three of the four snow samples. Values for the 4th sample are within a factor of 2. For both samples where CH4 adsorption, OM, and SEM are used, all three methods yield similar results, but CH4 adsorption always has a better accuracy and a much better precision. Thus, despite its ease of use, estimates from OM images are often not accurate enough to monitor the evolution of snow SSA. The main sources of error in the OM method are the difficulty to determine snow crystal thicknesses and to take into account the topography of the snow crystal surface. The combination of CH4 adsorption and OM or SEM can provide useful information on the evolution of both the SSA and the shape of snow crystals. This will be useful to evaluate the respective contributions of adsorption/desorption and sublimation/condensation processes to the impact of the snow cover on atmospheric chemistry.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of the effects of using local and central snow deposits: a case study in Luleå.

The aim of the study was to determine if an increased use of local land-based snow deposits would be more sustainable than the use of a central snow deposit. The study focused on transport related emissions, costs for transporting the snow, technical attendance, local effects, public acceptance, land use, effects on the recipient environmental control and potential for accidents. General information was obtained from an inventory regarding snow handling that was made in 14, geographically spread, Swedish municipalities during 2001. The comparison of costs for transporting snow and transport-related emissions was based on information gathered from the municipality of Luleå. The study showed that using local land-based snow deposits would decrease traffic-related emissions such as CO2, CO and NO(x) by 40% annually and would decrease the annual cost for transporting snow by nearly 80%. On the other hand local snow deposits may lead to an increased risk of accidents and to negative local effects such as delayed growing season, flooding and drainage problems. Available land for local snow deposits in the cities is hard to find, and is usually expensive. Therefore a combination of local and central snow deposits is likely to be the most realistic option.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1994

Snow blowing and shoveling in normal and asymptomatic coronary artery diseased men.

We evaluated the oxygen uptake and heart-rate responses to self-paced snow blowing and snow shoveling in 10 men with asymptomatic coronary artery disease, 10 older normal men, and six younger normal men. Mean peak treadmill oxygen uptake in the three groups ranged from 26.4 +/- 1.1 to 47.3 +/- 3.9 ml/kg per min (P < 0.05). Oxygen uptake during snow blowing did not differ significantly among subject groups; values were 17.1 +/- 1.3, 17.7 +/- 1.1, and 17.2 +/- 0.9 ml/kg per min in the coronary artery disease, older normal, and younger normal groups, respectively. Oxygen uptake with snow shoveling was lower (P < 0.05) in those with coronary artery disease (18.4 +/- 1.0 ml/kg per min) than in the normal groups. In comparison with snow shoveling, oxygen uptake and heart rate did not differ (P = NS) from snow blowing in the coronary artery disease group but were lower (P < 0.05) with snow blowing in the two normal groups. The results indicate that men with asymptomatic coronary artery disease and relatively good functional work capacity perform snow blowing and snow shoveling at similar levels of oxygen uptake and heart rate.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Myocardial infarction on snow days: incidence, procedure, use and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Snowfall can cause chaos in urban centres and put considerable stress on health care systems. Given that myocardial infarction (MI) is a condition that may be triggered or aggravated by stress, and that health system stress could influence the typical care provided to patients with MI, a study was conducted comparing 'snow days' with 'nonsnow days', specifically assessing the incidence of MI, the use of acute procedures and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Hospital discharge data were used on all patients discharged after MI. These data were merged with data from Environment Canada to determine the amount of snowfall that occurred on any given day. The use of acute procedures was determined by linking to data from the Alberta Provincial PRoject for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart disease (APPROACH). Snow days were defined as days when at least 5 cm of snow fell, and the two subsequent days were included because of the lingering effect of 'urban chaos' that can ensue after significant snowfall. The average incidence of MIs on snow days versus nonsnow days was then determined. Risk-adjusted odds ratios for the use of direct percutaneous coronary intervention and in-hospital mortality were also determined. RESULTS: There were 61 snow days and 575 nonsnow days. The incidence of MI (incidence density ratio of 1.08, 95% CI 0.82 to 3.10) and the use of direct percutaneous coronary intervention (adjusted OR=1.07, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.54) were slightly higher on snow days. In-hospital mortality trended toward being lower (adjusted OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.04) for patients admitted on snow days, although none of these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Despite the potential for the significant adverse effects of snow days on the incidence of MI, the use of acute procedures and outcomes, these findings suggest only minor effects, if any.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Cardiorespiratory strain during walking in snow with boots of different weights.

In order to assess the physiological strain of different boot weights, seven male and three female subjects walked on a treadmill and a snow-field while wearing three types of boots: winter jogging boots (WJB), rubber boots (RB), and rubber safety boots (RSB), weighing (means +/- s.d.) 0.9 +/- 0.1, 1.9 +/- 0.4 and 2.5 +/- 0.2 kg, respectively During each walk the subjects wore the same clothing ensembles and moved at the same, individually determined speed. The mean (+/- s.e.) depths of the footprint impression in the snow while walking in the WJB, RB, and RSB were 26.1 +/- 1.5, 25.6 +/- 1.4 and 26.1 +/- 1.5 cm (NS), respectively. During walking on the treadmill, the means for oxygen consumption were 0.79 +/- 0.05, 0.81 +/- 0.06 and 0.83 +/- 0.04 l min-1 (NS) and in snow 2.24 +/- 0.18, 2.34 +/- 0.17 and 2.34 +/- 0.19 l min-1 (p less than 0.01) with the WJB, RB and RSB, respectively. The mean oxygen consumption levels observed during the walks averaged 23% and 65% of the subject's maximum oxygen consumption on the treadmill and in the snow-field, respectively. During the walking tests the corresponding mean heart rates were 106 +/- 4, 93 +/- 5, and 95 +/- 5 beats min-1 (p less than 0.05) on the treadmill, and 151 +/- 11, 150 +/- 11 and 151 +/- 12 beats min-1 (NS) in snow. No significant differences in ratings of perceived exertion were observed between the walking tests in snow with the three types of boots. In accordance with earlier studies, walking in snow was found to be strenuous work. In conclusion, the use of the RSB is recommended during logging work in snow, since they are known to provide greater protection than lighter boots and the increase in physiological strain experienced with RSB in this study was not appreciably greater than that with boots of lighter weight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Detection and quantification of snow algae with an airborne imaging spectrometer.

We describe spectral reflectance measurements of snow containing the snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis and a model to retrieve snow algal concentrations from airborne imaging spectrometer data. Because cells of C. nivalis absorb at specific wavelengths in regions indicative of carotenoids (astaxanthin esters, lutein, beta-carotene) and chlorophylls a and b, the spectral signature of snow containing C. nivalis is distinct from that of snow without algae. The spectral reflectance of snow containing C. nivalis is separable from that of snow without algae due to carotenoid absorption in the wavelength range from 0.4 to 0.58 microm and chlorophyll a and b absorption in the wavelength range from 0.6 to 0.7 microm. The integral of the scaled chlorophyll a and b absorption feature (I(0.68)) varies with algal concentration (C(a)). Using the relationship C(a) = 81019.2 I(0.68) + 845.2, we inverted Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer reflectance data collected in the Tioga Pass region of the Sierra Nevada in California to determine algal concentration. For the 5.5-km(2) region imaged, the mean algal concentration was 1,306 cells ml(-1), the standard deviation was 1,740 cells ml(-1), and the coefficient of variation was 1.33. The retrieved spatial distribution was consistent with observations made in the field. From the spatial estimates of algal concentration, we calculated a total imaged algal biomass of 16.55 kg for the 0.495-km(2) snow-covered area, which gave an areal biomass concentration of 0.033 g/m(2).

Aircraft↗

PubMed2002

The energy expenditure of snowshoeing in packed vs. unpacked snow at low-level walking speeds.

Snowshoeing is currently ranked as one of the top 20 participatory sports in the United States, and the number of participants almost tripled, from 440,000 to 1.2 million in 1998. Despite this large increase in participation, no scientific evidence exists to quantify any physiologic response to the activity. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to assess the energy expenditure of snowshoeing at selected low-level speeds and evaluate its acceptability as a form of aerobic conditioning exercise. Ten habitually active subjects (7 men, 3 women, mean age = 24 +/- 3.9 years, mass = 76.6 +/- 14.5 kg, height = 173.7 +/- 9.6 cm) were recruited. Steady state heart rate data were determined from 2 treadmill tests at 4 and 6 mph. Steady state heart rates at 4 mph and 6 mph from treadmill speeds were then reproduced outdoors under 2 snow conditions, packed, and unpacked snow, while caloric expenditure and speed were determined. Expired gases were collected in Douglas bags for both snowshoe and treadmill trials and then analyzed and corrected indoors for the fractional concentrations of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Data analyses indicate that caloric expenditure during snowshoeing may be considerably higher than previously reported. Snowshoeing on packed snow at 2.95 mph elicited a similar heart rate and energy expenditure response as walking on a treadmill at 4 mph or snowshoeing in unpacked snow at 2.04 mph (Vo(2) = 18.18 +/- 0.8 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Snowshoeing on packed snow at 3.97 mph elicited the same heart rate and energy expenditure response as walking on a treadmill at 6 mph or snowshoeing on unpacked snow at 2.87 mph (Vo(2) = 36.72 +/- 0.8 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Furthermore, increasing walking speed on snow by just 1 mph at slow speeds (2 and 3 mph) resulted in approximately twice the energy expenditure. Our data indicate that current estimates of energy expenditure while snowshoeing underestimate by greater than 50%. Apparently the energy expenditure during snowshoeing is much higher than previously considered and varies considerably because of snow terrain. Furthermore, energy expenditure levels similar to walking can be achieved on snowshoes at much slower speeds. This study represents an original investigation into energy expenditure during snowshoeing.

Anaerobic Threshold↗

PubMed2004

Coupling of climate change and biotic UV exposure through changing snow-ice covers in terrestrial habitats.

During the spring, when ozone depletion at the polar regions is at its maximum and consequently the environmental UV exposure is potentially high, many terrestrial communities are covered in snow and heterogeneous snow-encrusted ice that form near the edges of snowpack. Using field measurements and a theoretical radiative transfer model, we calculated the thicknesses of these covers that are necessary to reduce DNA-weighted dose to levels equal to or lower than those received later in the season in the absence of covers when there is no ozone depletion. This depth is approximately 4 cm for a 60% depletion of the ozone column, suggesting that even thin snow-ice covers are enough to completely cancel the biological effects of ozone depletion. Loss of snow-ice covers during early summer can be rapid. The maximum rate of retreat of snow cover measured during November at Mars Oasis, Antarctica (71.9 degrees S, 68.2 degrees W), was 44.1 cm/day, with a mean retreat of 15.4 cm/day. Climate warming might increase UV-radiation damage by melting UV-protecting terrestrial snow-ice covers earlier in the season, when ozone depletion is more severe. Conversely, climate cooling could increase UV-protection afforded to terrestrial communities by increasing the extent of snow and ice covers. Even if anthropogenic ozone depletion is eventually reversed, these data suggest the importance of climate forcing in determining UV exposures of terrestrial microbial communities in snow- and ice-covered environments.

Climate↗

PubMed1995

Cardiac demands of heavy snow shoveling.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the physiologic responses to manual (shoveling) vs automated (electric snow thrower) snow removal in healthy, untrained men. DESIGN: Observational, controlled trial. SETTING: A community-based, acute care, teaching-research hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A volunteer sample of 10 apparently healthy untrained men (mean +/- SD age = 32.4 +/- 2.1 years) met all eligibility criteria and completed the study. INTERVENTION: Each subject cleared two 10 +/- 2-cm-high, 15-m-long tracts of heavy, wet snow in the cold (2 degrees C), using self-paced manual and automated methods, in random order, with 10- to 15-minute rest periods between each 10-minute bout of work. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen uptake, and perceived exertion during snow removal were compared with values obtained during maximal arm-ergometer and treadmill tests. RESULTS: Mean heart rate during shoveling was 154 and 173 beats per minute at 2 and 10 minutes, respectively, corresponding to 86% and 97% of maximal heart rate. Relative heart rate (percentage of maximal heart rate) during shoveling was inversely related to aerobic fitness (r = -0.65; P = .05). The highest heart rate and perceived exertion responses during shoveling, arm-ergometer, and treadmill testing were comparable. Systolic blood pressure during snow shoveling (198 +/- 17 mm Hg) was significantly greater (P < .003) than during arm ergometry or automated snow removal and slightly greater than during maximal treadmill testing (181 +/- 25 mm Hg). Oxygen uptake during shoveling was similar to that for arm ergometry (5.7 vs 6.3 metabolic equivalents), but lower than for treadmill testing (9.3 metabolic equivalents). Cardiorespiratory and perceived exertion responses were reduced during automated snow removal. CONCLUSION: Heavy snow shoveling elicits myocardial and aerobic demands that rival maximal treadmill and arm-ergometer testing in sedentary men. These responses may contribute to cardiovascular events reported after heavy snowfalls.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Impact of snow cover on photoinhibition and winter dessication in evergreen Rhododendron ferrugineum leaves during subalpine winter.

Effects of winter snow cover on photoinhibition and possible interactions with winter desiccation were investigated in situ in an evergreen subalpine woody species, Rhododendron ferrugineum L., at the alpine timberline (1950 m a.s.l.). Timing and duration of complete snow cover markedly influenced potential efficiency of photosystem II (PSII; F(v) /F(m)). Lack of snow cover led to severe but mostly reversible photoinhibition with F(v)/F(m) values as low as 0.05. Complete snow cover immediately stopped further reductions in PSII efficiency. Snow cover promoted recovery from photoinhibition, but only if, in addition to shading by snow, plants were exposed to nonfreezing temperatures close to 0 degrees C. The F(v)/F(m) ratio was closely related to minimum leaf temperatures because both photoinhibition and recovery from photoinhibition were strongly influenced by temperature. The period without major reductions in PSII efficiency lasted for only two months, reflecting the extremely short growing period in the subalpine environment. Compared with complete snow cover, incomplete snow cover led to significantly higher water losses as well as lower dehydration tolerance, because both osmotic adjustment and changes in turgor maintenance capacity were significantly reduced. Interactions between photoinhibition and winter desiccation were masked by the direct effects of freezing temperatures. However, both photoinhibition and winter desiccation are closely linked and occur together under field conditions in this evergreen subalpine woody species.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Blast noise propagation above a snow cover.

A porous medium model of a snow cover, rather than a viscoelastic treatment, has been used to simulate measured, horizontally traveling acoustic waveform propagation above a dry snow cover 11-20 cm thick. The waveforms were produced by explosions of 1-kg charges at propagation distances of 100 to 1400 m. These waveforms, with a peak frequency around 30 Hz, show pulse broadening effects similar to those previously seen for higher-frequency waves over shorter propagation distances. A rigid-ice-frame porous medium ("rigid-porous") impedance model, which includes the effect of the pores within the snow but ignores any induced motion of the ice particles, is shown to produce much better agreement with the measured waveforms compared with a viscoelastic solid treatment of the snow cover. From the acoustic waveform modeling, the predicted average snow cover depth of 18 cm and effective flow resistivities of 16-31 kPa s m(-2) agree with snow pit observations and with previous acoustic measurements over snow. For propagation in the upwind direction, the pulse broadening caused by the snow cover interaction is lessened, but the overall amplitude decay is greater because of refraction of the blast waves.

Journal Article↗