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.