Geochemical studies in a remote Scottish upland catchment, 2: Streamwater chemistry during snow-melt

"Acid-flush" events, monitored in an upland catchment in the Cairngorm Mountains (Scotland) at the time of the spring-thaw, are associated with an increase in stream discharge and raised concentrations of both major ions (Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, NO sub(3), and SO sub(4)) and trace-elements (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb), in addition to H super(+). The streamwater chemistry is determined by the hydrological pathways which are operative in the catchment during these period of snowmelt, and reflects both the meltwater composition and the influence of the soils within the catchment.