Characterization of organic and inorganic analytes in snow made from reclaimed water

Yazzie, Marquis T. (2023) Characterization of organic and inorganic analytes in snow made from reclaimed water. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text Yazzie_2023_characterization_organic_inorganic_analytes_snow_made_from.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (10MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Climate change, snow precipitation declines and increasing temperatures are expected to correlate with a shorter ski and snowboard season for recreational winter sports. Snowmaking is a potential solution to lengthen the ski and snowboard season in areas that lack sufficient snow for winter season recreation. A large barrier to snowmaking has been the adequate water supply for snowmaking. Snowmaking has traditionally been used using freshwater resources. Reclaimed water has emerged as a potential solution to alleviate the freshwater demand in drought prone areas for agricultural irrigation and snowmaking in the United States for recreational winter sports. One issue with this approach is that some organic and inorganic analytes may persist in non-potable reclaimed water used for snowmaking. Organic analytes that have been found in non-potable reclaimed water include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, hormones, plasticizers and more. Inorganic analytes that have been found in non-potable reclaimed water include metals/metalloids, major cations, inorganic anions, and phosphorus. There is a knowledge gap on the environmental impact of analytes in snowmaking from reclaimed water. This research is interested in the identification and quantification of organic and inorganic analytes in snow made from reclaimed water field samples collected at Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort. The goal of the project is to develop methodology and quantify analytes that are similar or different in snow made from reclaimed water relative to natural snowfall and reclaimed water. Results of organic and inorganic concentrations and detection in this thesis will benefit future studies to study analytes in soil, plant uptake, fate and transport and ecosystem health responses of analytes in snowmaking from reclaimed water.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Inorganic Analysis; Organic Analysis; Reclaimed Water; Snowmaking; Water pollution; Arizona Snowbowl
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences > Chemistry and Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	07 Aug 2026 17:48
Last Modified:	07 Aug 2026 17:48
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6338

Actions (login required)

IR Staff Record View

Downloads