clean air act amendments, wilderness act, and organic act have mandates to protect class 1 areas

Clean Air Act Amendments, Wilderness Act, and Organic Act Clean Air Act Amendments, Wilderness Act, and Organic Act have mandates to protect Class 1 Areas have mandates to protect Class 1 Areas

Wilderness ActWilderness Act: :

Areas are “administered… in Areas are “administered… in such a manner as will leave such a manner as will leave them “unimpaired for future them “unimpaired for future

use and enjoyment as use and enjoyment as wilderness”wilderness”

Organic ActOrganic Act: :

Leave resources “unimpaired for the Leave resources “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations” enjoyment of future generations”

Clean Air Act

Preserve, protect and enhance air quality... and protect air quality related values (soil, water, flora, fauna, visibility)... in national

parks…

Loch Vale Watershed Loch Vale Watershed FoundationsFoundations

• 22+ years of long-term monitoring • Experiments in field and laboratory to test cause and effect• Modeling of ecosystem processes

and “what-if” scenarios• Spatial comparisons in Colorado and across western US

Invaluable dataset for answering many different questions!

Started with acid rain, now used for nitrogen saturation, mercury deposition, climate change, fundamental hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecology.

Precipitation

Vegetation

SoilsSoils

BedrockBedrock

Outflow

Sediments

Freshwater

Biota

Loch Vale Watershed Conceptual Model

Ecological Effects ofNitrogen Deposition at

Rocky Mountain National ParkJill S. Baron, US Geological Survey

M.Hartman, D.S.Ojima, K. Nydick, H.M. Rueth, B.Moraska Lafrancois, A.P. Wolfe,

J. Botte, W.D. Bowman

Pathways and Effects of Excess Nitrogen DepositionPathways and Effects of Excess Nitrogen Deposition

N Deposition

FertilizationLoss of Soil

Buffering

Changes in Aquatic Species

LakeEutrophication

Loss of Lake ANC(acidification)

N SaturationChanges in

Plant Communities

In the alpine nitrogen favors sedges and In the alpine nitrogen favors sedges and grasses over flowering plantsgrasses over flowering plants

Niwot Ridge researchshows sedges and grasses

grow better with N than flowering plants in both experiments and surveys

(Korb and Ranker 2001;

Bowman et al. in press)

East-side forests are closer to N saturation

East side stands differed significantly from west side forests: - higher needle and soil N, - lower C:N ratios, - higher soil N cycling rates

Six pairs of sites were similar in all

characteristics except forN deposition amount

N. Doesken

Baron et al. 2000, Rueth & Baron 2001, Rueth et al. 2003

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Min

eralizati

on

Rate

(u

g N

/g/d

)

0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6Organic Soil %N

FC-W

BR-WBC-WWR-W

WA-W

LL-E

BP-E

MP-E

ER-E

GF-W

LV-EML-E

%N min

R2=0.62

As soils accumulate N, microbial activity increases

0

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6

1 1.5 2 2.5

%N Forest Floor

Nit

rifi

ca

tio

n u

gN

/g/d

Similar patterns in New England, USAMcNulty et al. 1991

Colorado Front Range Baron et al. 2000Rueth & Baron 2001

Nitrate in ROMONitrate in ROMO

Clow et al. 2001Baron et al. 2000

Means (ueq/L)

East 10.5 (5.0) West

6.6 (4.3)

n=44, p = 0.02

after Stoddard, 1994

North American watersheds

Loch Vale

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

N wet deposition, kg/ha/yr

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

N e

xp

ort

, kg

/ha/y

Watershed Nitrogen SaturationWatershed Nitrogen Saturation

Andrews Creek fr ThatchtopAndrews Creek fr Thatchtop

Streams

18O

(N

O3)

Winter snow

RainfallSnowmelt

-20

20

60

100

15N (NO3)-4 -2 0 2 4 6

Microbial nitrate

Spring snow

Groundwater

Loch Vale nitrate isotopes, 1995Loch Vale nitrate isotopes, 1995

Andrews Creek, Rocky Mt. NP

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Nit

rate

, m

eq/L

Polynomial Trend Line

y = 1E-10x4 - 2E-07x3 + 9E-05x2 - 0.0244x + 19.057

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

19

82

19

84

19

85

19

87

19

87

19

88

19

90

19

91

19

92

19

93

19

94

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

04

NO

3,

ue

q/L

Nitrate concentrationsare increasing

in Loch Vale

streams ANDREWS CREEKAlpine 1992-1998mean =~25 ueq/L

THE LOCH OUTLETSubalpine 1992-1998mean =~16 ueq/L

Lake sediments extend Lake sediments extend records into the pastrecords into the past

Wolfe et al., 2001, 2003, Das et al. 2005Saros et al. 2005, Baron et al. 1986

Diatoms are good indicators of Diatoms are good indicators of environmental changeenvironmental change

• Diatoms are algae: single-celled aquatic plants

• Species are very sensitive to water chemistry

• Glass (silica) cell walls do not decompose

• Each species has unique cell walls

Asterionella formosaFragillaria crotonensis Aulacoseira spp.

Sky Pond

Diatom Indicators of Disturbance Increased Abruptly in east-side lakes ca. 1950-1960

1950

Experiments with Bioassays (Bottles), Mesocosms (Hula

Hoops), and Lakes

Lafrancois et al. 2003, 2004, Nydick et al. 2003, 2004a, b

Experiments: Productivity increased with added N and N+P. Communities changed to nutrient-loving algae.

Chrysophytes

Green Algae

N Additions = Eutrophication

increased productivity changed algal community

Dinobryon sp.

Chlamydomonas sp.

ConclusionsConclusions

On the east side of the Front Range changes have been observed in:– Alpine tundra – Forests – Soils – Lakes and streams– Lake biota

• Experiments support nitrogen as the cause

What Happens Next?What Happens Next?

Nitrate is a strong acid anion.Nitrogen saturation leads to acidification.Hundreds of studies funded by NAPAP and its

European counterpart show strong biological responses to acidification.

Reversal?

• Changes in species

• Increased productivity

• Increased microbial activity

• Increased soil N

• Nitrogen saturation

• Depletion of base cations, mobilization of aluminum

• Forest dieback

• Episodic/chronic acidification of waters

• Declines in species richness and abundance

• Loss of fish

EutrophicationEutrophication AcidificationAcidification

Increased N and acid deposition

Nitrogen emissions, Nitrogen emissions, transport, and transport, and

depositiondeposition

NPS, USDA-FS, EPA, NSF, UniversitiesColorado DPHE & local partners

Don CampbellDave ClowAlisa Mast

George IngersollLeora Nanus

Global N budget ~1860Global N budget ~1860

Global N Budget presentGlobal N Budget present

Nitrogen in atmospheric depositionNitrogen in atmospheric depositionSource >>> Emissions >>> Wet Deposition

Combustion:VehiclesEnergy developmentEnergy production

NONOxx

(Nitrogen (Nitrogen oxides-gases)oxides-gases)

NONO33--

(Nitrate-(Nitrate-dissolved + dissolved + particulate)particulate)

AgricultureLivestock productionCrop production

NHNH33

(Ammonia gas)(Ammonia gas)

NHNH44++

(Ammonium- (Ammonium- dissolved + dissolved + particulate)particulate)

Total NOTotal NOxx emissions emissions

-- includes mobile and non-point sources

Nitrate Ion Concentrations1985-2003

1985 19861984

National Atmospheric Deposition Program / National Trends NetworkNational Atmospheric Deposition Program / National Trends Network


1986 19871985


1987 19881986


1988 19891987


1989 19901988


1990 19911989


1991 19921990


1992 19931991


1993 19941992


1994 19951993


1995 19961994


1996 19971995


1997 19981996


1998 19991997


1999 20001998


2000 20011999


2001 20022000


2002 20032001


2003 20042002


1985 19861984


2003 20042002

Percent change in NOPercent change in NO33-- in wetfall in wetfall

Lehmann et al., Lehmann et al., Environmental PollutionEnvironmental Pollution 2005 2005

Improving Trend, p<=0.05

Improving Trend, 0.05<p<=0.15

Degrading Trend, 0.05<p<=0.15

Degrading Trend, p<=0.05

No Trend

Trends in NO3 Concentrations in Precipitation, 1994-2003FY2004 Annual Performance Report for NPS Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

Air Quality Goal Ia3

02/03/2005

Acadia

Bandelier

Big Bend

Bryce Canyon

Buffalo

Canyonlands

Capulin Volcano

Craters of the Moon

Everglades

Gila Cliff

Glacier

Great Bas in

Grand CanyonGreat Smoky Mtns

Guadalupe Mtns

Indiana Dunes

Is le Royale

Little Bighorn

Mesa Verde

Mount Rainier

North CascadesOlympic

Organ Pipe

Rocky Mountain

Sequoia

Shenandoah

Yellowstone

Yosem ite

Denali

Downward pointing arrows denote trends toward decreasing nitrate (NO3) concentrations and improving air quality. Similarly, the up arrows correspond to trends toward higher nitrate concentrations and hence worsening air quality.

Total NHTotal NH33 emissions emissions

-- includes mobile and non-point sources

Ammonium Ion Concentrations1985-2003

1985 19861984


1986 19871985


1987 19881986


1988 19891987


1989 19901988


1990 19911989


1991 19921990


1992 19931991


1993 19941992


1994 19951993


1995 19961994


1996 19971995


1997 19981996


1998 19991997


1999 20001998


2000 20011999


2001 20022000


2002 20032001


2003 20042002



1985 19861984


2003 20042002


Percent change in NH4+ in wetfallPercent change in NH4+ in wetfall

Lehmann et al., Lehmann et al., Environmental PollutionEnvironmental Pollution 2005 2005

Improving Trend, p<=0.05

Improving Trend, 0.05<p<=0.15

Degrading Trend, 0.05<p<=0.15

Degrading Trend, p<=0.05

No Trend

Trends in NH4 Concentrations in Precipitation, 1994-2003FY2004 Annual Performance Report for NPS Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

Air Quality Goal Ia3

02/03/2005

Acadia

Bandelier

Big Bend

Bryce Canyon

Buffalo

Canyonlands

Capulin Volcano

Craters of the Moon

Everglades

Gila Cliff

Glacier

Great Bas in

Grand CanyonGreat Smoky Mtns

Guadalupe Mtns

Indiana Dunes

Is le Royale

Little Bighorn

Mesa Verde

Mount Rainier

North CascadesOlympic

Organ Pipe

Rocky Mountain

Sequoia

Shenandoah

Yellowstone

Yosem ite

Denali

Annual VWM Inorganic N conc. in Annual VWM Inorganic N conc. in wetfall wetfall

10-year mean DIN concentration (NO3 + NH4)

NADP sites in Colorado and Wyoming > 2400m elevation

Wyo.Wyo.ZirkelZirkelSW Co.SW Co.W Co.W Co. Front RangeFront Range

- from NADP/NTN database

NONO33

NHNH44

Snowpack Snowpack chemistrychemistry

- G.P. Ingersoll and others, USGS

•Major ionsMajor ions•NutrientsNutrients•Trace metalsTrace metals•3434S, S, 1515N isotopesN isotopes

Nitrate in Nitrate in Rocky Rocky

Mountain Mountain snowpack snowpack

(average, (average, 1993-2000)1993-2000)

- G.P. Ingersoll and others, USGS

UT

WY

MT

ID

COTaos SV.

0.020Kg/ha/yr

0.032Kg/ha/yr

No trend

UT

WY

MT

ID

COTaos SV.

No trend

0.0067Kg/ha/yr

0.0064Kg/ha/yr

Regional deposition trends in Snowpack Chemistry, 1993-2004Regional deposition trends in Snowpack Chemistry, 1993-2004

- Ingersoll, in prep.NitrateAmmonium

NOx Hwy24%

NH3 Hwy 3%

NOx Offroad18%

NOx Point/Area34%

Crop NH3Crop NOx11%

Livestock10%

South Platte Basin Emissions: Mostly South Platte Basin Emissions: Mostly Mobile (45%) and Stationary (34%) Mobile (45%) and Stationary (34%)

SourcesSources

Baron et al. 2004

Sources of nitrogen emissions in ColoradoSources of nitrogen emissions in Colorado

Colorado Natural Gas Marketed Production

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

19

67

19

69

19

71

19

73

19

75

19

77

19

79

19

81

19

83

19

85

19

87

19

89

19

91

19

93

19

95

19

97

19

99

20

01

20

03

Pro

du

cti

on

(M

Mc

f)

NHNH33 emissions from livestock in S. Platte emissions from livestock in S. Platte basin are nearly 1000x greater than NHbasin are nearly 1000x greater than NH33 emissions from wildlife in Rocky Mt. NPemissions from wildlife in Rocky Mt. NP

Animal emissions

0.E+00

1.E+00

2.E+00

3.E+00

4.E+00

An

nu

al

am

mo

nia

em

iss

ion

s,

mil

lio

ns

of

kg

Baron, unpublished data

Source attribution using naturally Source attribution using naturally occurring, stable isotopes of nitrogen occurring, stable isotopes of nitrogen

compounds.compounds. Provide capability to

distinguish between major

source types of emissions.

15N, 18O, 17O in NO3 15N in NH4

+

Recent advances in

methodology expand

possibilities.

Campbell and Kendall, unpub. data

Annual Snowpack

Emily and Kendall, in prep.

Nitrogen deposition in RockyNitrogen deposition in Rocky

• Overall nitrogen deposition is increasing.

• NO3 (combustion sources) makes up >50%.

• NH4 (agricultural sources) is increasing rapidly.

• Local and regional sources contribute to both.

• Local sources may contribute more during spring and summer.

• Next steps?

- Integrated modeling and monitoring studies of air quality + deposition,

incorporating natural tracers to identify source categories.

clean air act amendments, wilderness act, and organic act have mandates to protect class 1 areas

Documents

n ratios

n saturationeast

rueth baron

n organic soilnitrate

mercury deposition

nn deposition kgnhayr

forn deposition amountn

clean air act amendments