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Changing Regional Emissions of Airborne Pollutants Reflected in the Chemistry of Snowpacks and Wetfall in the Rocky Mountain Region, USA, 1993–2012

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Abstract

Wintertime precipitation sample data from 55 Snowpack sites and 17 National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)/National Trends Network Wetfall sites in the Rocky Mountain region were examined to identify long-term trends in chemical concentration, deposition, and precipitation using Regional and Seasonal Kendall tests. The Natural Resources Conservation Service snow-telemetry (SNOTEL) network provided snow-water-equivalent data from 33 sites located near Snowpack- and NADP Wetfall-sampling sites for further comparisons. Concentration and deposition of ammonium, calcium, nitrate, and sulfate were tested for trends for the period 1993–2012. Precipitation trends were compared between the three monitoring networks for the winter seasons and downward trends were observed for both Snowpack and SNOTEL networks, but not for the NADP Wetfall network. The dry-deposition fraction of total atmospheric deposition, relative to wet deposition, was shown to be considerable in the region. Potential sources of regional airborne pollutant emissions were identified from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2011 National Emissions Inventory, and from long-term emissions data for the period 1996–2013. Changes in the emissions of ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide were reflected in significant trends in snowpack and wetfall chemistry. In general, ammonia emissions in the western USA showed a gradual increase over the past decade, while ammonium concentrations and deposition in snowpacks and wetfall showed upward trends. Emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide declined while regional trends in snowpack and wetfall concentrations and deposition of nitrate and sulfate were downward.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciate the funding support from the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Teton Conservation District, and the U.S. Geological Survey. We also acknowledge the assistance of many individuals who contributed to this effort. In particular, we thank Ann Acheson, Nic Bencke, Gina Biere, Tamara Blett, Stan Bones, Mike Britten, Don Campbell, Michael Curtis, Liese Dean, Jay Dorr, Sam Duerksen, Thomas Dzomba, Dan Ely, Dan Fagre, Ben Glass, Bob Hammer, Mary Hektner, Nan Ingersoll, Joe Marcos, Craig McClure, Lisa McKeon, Greg Miller, David Mueller, Douglas Myhre, Rick Neam, Mark Nilles, Gary Nelson, Gordon Pierce, Ted Porwoll, Don Rosenberry, Orville Rosenberry, John Sacklin, Kevin Sage, Robb Sgroi, Craig Skeie, Jeff Sorkin, Ed Snook, Mark Story, Terry Svalberg, Kathy Tonnessen, John Turk, and Eric Winthers. Special thanks also is due to the generous logistical support from the following ski areas: The Big Mountain, Big Sky, Loveland, Showdown, Snowbowl, Taos Ski Valley, and Teton Village. Two anonymous reviewers provided useful comments. Dennis Cleary developed the emissions plots. Bob Larson compiled the NADP NTN data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colorado Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO, 80225, USA

    George P. Ingersoll, Garrett Port & Brian S. Caruso

  2. Rocky Mountain Region, U.S. Forest Service, Golden, CO, 80401, USA

    Debra C. Miller

  3. Air Resources Division, National Park Service, Denver, CO, 80225, USA

    Kristi H. Morris

  4. Northern and Intermountain Regions, U.S. Forest Service, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA

    Jill A. McMurray

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  1. George P. Ingersoll
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  5. Garrett Port
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Correspondence to Brian S. Caruso.

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Ingersoll, G.P., Miller, D.C., Morris, K.H. et al. Changing Regional Emissions of Airborne Pollutants Reflected in the Chemistry of Snowpacks and Wetfall in the Rocky Mountain Region, USA, 1993–2012. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 94 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2784-4

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