Silver Analysis of Seeded Snow by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract

An experimental weather modification program using silver iodide as the cloud seeding agent is being conducted over the Park Range in northwestern Colorado. The measure of silver content in target area precipitation can be used as an aid in tracking the silver iodide plume and evaluating seeding results. The ultramicroquantities of silver in snow samples are concentrated by a solvent-extraction technique with an organic complexing reagent, and silver content is then determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This analytical method is capable of detecting silver iodide activities in seeded snow. The results obtained using this technique on Park Range target area snow samples are discussed.