Electric Space Charges over Snow-Covered Ground

Abstract

Measurements of the atmospheric electric potential gradient (by passive antenna technique) at 1 m and 1/2 m above the ground, with and without snow, were made over a number of days during fair weather at Gulmarg. Space charge density was deduced from the above measurements. Positive polar conductivity (using an improved type of Gerdien chamber) was also measured at 1 m level above the ground along with the measurements on potential gradient. Observations on positive conductivity indicate the presence of some positive space charge (in the form of large ions) lying close to the ground in the early hours of every morning. This charge could be due to the blowing of snow over mountains in the vicinity. The study of space charge density curves clearly indicates that during the melting of snow negative charge goes into air but the detection of this charge by sensors above the ground is strongly dependent on factors like convection and wind velocity.