Monitoring and Studying the Effects of Atmospheric Deposition and Other Water Quality Threats to Parks in the North Coast and Cascades Network
Project ID: P12AC10425
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Central Washington University
Fiscal Year: 2012
Initial Funding: $13,560
Total Funding: $13,560
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Physical
National Park: Pacific West Region Washington
Principal Investigator: Johansen, Anne
Agreement Technical Representative: Samora, Barbara
Abstract: The mountain parks of the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) span a gradient of urban influence, from the highly populated greater Puget Sound region (Mount Rainer National Park (MORA), and North Cascades National Park Complex (NOCA)), to the sparsely populated Olympic Peninsula (Olympic National Park (OLYM)). These parks also span a west-east precipitation gradient, from the very wet OLYM, to the drier MORA and NOCA. This precipitation gradient is also present in each park, with the western areas relatively wetter than the eastern areas. Because of these gradients, network parks and areas within may respond differently to certain stressors (e.g., atmospheric deposition of contaminants), while responding similarly to others (e.g., global climate change). Nitrogen and sulfur compounds deposited from air pollution may harm lakes, streams, soils, and vegetation in NCCN mountain parks. High elevation ecosystems in MORA and NOCA are sensitive to nitrogen and sulfur deposition. Not only do these systems receive more atmospheric deposition than lower elevation areas, but short growing seasons and shallow soils limit the capacity of soils and plants to absorb nitrogen, and dilute surface waters cannot buffer the effects of acid deposition. This collaborative project with Central Washington University (CWU) involves continuation of long-term monitoring of precipitation chemistry in MORA (1986-present), and the analysis of surface water samples, to better understand the relationship between natural processes and perturbations. By sampling on a continuous basis with consistent techniques, we are able to track changes in atmospheric deposition and other threats to high elevation ecosystems. This project contributes knowledge to park managers and air pollution regulators for addressing threats to these Class I air quality parks. This project involves CWU students and technical oversight from faculty, with opportunities to analyze lake, stream, and precipitation samples and to develop a professional technical report on the project results.
AGP-9450-12-007
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