Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 17:54
Forums
Ocean, Atmosphere, Sea Ice, and Snowpack Interactions

Hi Betsy, This is New Start Middle School, in Flagstaff....The journals are great, and we love how you are in the cold snow when Arizona will surely hit 90 in the next couple of days.

We are wondering what Bromine smells like, is it commonly found in snow, and can we smell it in the ground here in Arizona?

Happy Spring =)

Jillian and the gang

Thu, 03/19/2009 - 19:45

Betsy Wilkening

I can't believe I actually thought that -20 degrees Celsius felt warmtoday!!! I am going to roast when I return home.
Bromine smells a lot like chlorine does, but it is not quite as harsh.
In Arizona, especially further south in Phoenix or Tucson a lot of
people put bromine in their swimming pools instead of chlorine. From
what I understand it is more stable in the pool that is outside in the
sun and you don't need to add it as often a chlorine. In the absence of
a swimming pool you might get an idea of how it smells if you have Ajax
around the house. As you clean the bathroom sink (you Mom will love
that) you can get an idea of the smell.