Determining atmospheric deposition in Wyoming with IMPROVE and other national programs

Karl Zeller, Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)

Atmospheric deposition is the result of air pollution gases and aerosols leaving the atmosphere as "dry" or "wet" deposition. Little is known about just how much pollution is deposited onto soils, lakes and streams. To determine the extent and trends of forest exposure to air pollution, various types of monitoring have been conducted. In this study, we evaluate data from different rural air monitoring programs to determine whether or not they may have wider applications in resource monitoring and protection. This report analyzes location-specific data collected by three national programs: The CASTNET (NDDN) Network supported by the Environmental Protection Agency, the IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) network supported by federal land managers, and the NADP/NTN program supported by many agencies.