 drifting snow samples were collected at asuka station ( 71 degrees 32 's , 24 degrees 08'e , 930 m above sea level ) over a period from july to december 1991 ; 36 elements ( including na , mg , k , ca , fe , al , li , v , cr , mn , co , ni , cu , zn , ga , se , rb , sr , cd , pb , y , la , ce , pr , nd , sm , eu , gd , tb , dy , ho , er , tm , yb , lu , and th ) in snow were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry ( icp - ms ) by direct sample introduction . 
 concentrations of cl- , no3- , and so(4)2- in the snow were also determined by ion chromatography . in late september to early october , there was a pronounced peak concentration of most of the elements together with non - sea salt sulfate . 
 enrichment factor analyses suggest that na , mg , ca , k , and sr are of marine origin and al , fe , mn , rb , cr , ni , ga , v , and all the rare earth elements are of crustal origins 
 . volcanic eruption of mt . 
 pinatubo ( june 1991 ) and mt . 
 hudson ( august 1991 ) could be the reason for the precipitation of pb , cd , cu , zn , and se together with non - sea salt sulfates in the austral spring at asuka station.imagesfigure 1.figure 2.figure 3 . 
Images