Monitoring Precipitation Chemistry and Atmospheric Deposition at a High-Elevation Site in Mount Rainier National Park
Project ID: P19AC00717
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Central Washington University
Fiscal Year: 2019
Initial Funding: $9,800
Total Funding: $39,603
Project Type: Technical Assistance
Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary
National Park: Mount Rainier National Park
Principal Investigator: Johansen, Anne
Agreement Technical Representative: Lofgren, Rebecca
Abstract: This project will provide new information that quantifies the magnitudes and long-term changes of precipitation chemistry and associated deposition of major ions to a high-elevation, sensitive ecosystem within MORA. The project provides educational and employment opportunities for students to analyze the chemistry of precipitation and to participate in the data summary and technical report writing process. Project results will provide information needed to conserve resources, evaluate current policies, and educate students in conservation management issues and long-term monitoring techniques. Students will be provided information about the risk of atmospheric pollutants to natural resources and knowledge useful to interpret air quality data. Project results will be provided on a publicly available NPS web site.
A. Synopsis
Investigators from the CWU and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following specific objectives:
1. Collect weekly precipitation samples from Paradise, MORA, and conduct chemical analyses of samples.
2. Provide a technical report summarizing weekly precipitation chemistry results, analysis of trends, and comparison of chemistry and deposition results with adjacent National Atmospheric Deposition (NADP) sites, including Tahoma Woods, La Grande, Hoh, and Marblemount.