# Dataset of chemical elements concentrations in snow samples collected in Jelgava City (Latvia) in 2021, 2022, 2023

## TL;DR

This paper provides a dataset of chemical element concentrations in snow samples from Jelgava, Latvia, collected over three years to study urban air quality and pollution.

## Contribution

The study introduces a publicly accessible dataset of snow-based chemical element concentrations for assessing urban air quality and pollution mitigation in Jelgava.

## Key findings

- Zinc concentrations in snow samples ranged from 3.44 to 35.12 µg/L with a median of 7.5 µg/L.
- Lead concentrations reached up to 3.77 µg/L in 2021, compared to 0.95 µg/L at the rural control site.
- The dataset supports evaluating green infrastructure's role in improving air quality in urban areas.

## Abstract

This article presents datasets on the concentrations of chemical elements in snow samples collected in the city of Jelgava. Snow samples were collected on January 9, 2021, February 4, 2022, and January 9, 2023. Snow was allowed to accumulate for at least six days before sampling.

Snow samples were collected at 59 monitoring points in Jelgava and at one site outside the city, which served as a control. The collected snow samples were analysed using ICP-MS. The following elements were analysed in the samples: aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), tungsten (W), and lead (Pb). All datasets from the 2021–2023 sampling campaigns are openly available in the Mendeley Data repository.

The concentrations showed high variability, with Zn ranging from 3.44 to 35.12 µg/L (median 7.5 µg/L) and Pb up to 3.77 µg/L in 2021, while the control site showed a Pb value of 0.95 µg/L, reflecting differences between urban sites and the rural reference point.

The compiled dataset has fundamental scientific value, as it provides a reliable basis for local and regional analyses of urban air quality. In addition, it supports the evaluation of the city’s green infrastructure and its role in improving air quality. The dataset is also valuable for assessing the effectiveness of pollution mitigation measures implemented in Jelgava and for identifying priority areas where additional actions may be needed.