Cooperative Park Studies Program
Cooperative Park Studies Program
Principal
Investigators:
Deborah
L. Swackhamer, Division of Environmental & Occupational Health, 612-626-0435
Keri
C. Hornbuckle, University of Iowa, Dept. Civil and Environmental Engineering,
319-384-0789
Project Duration:
June
2001- June 2003
Funding:
Midwest Regional Office, NPS
Summary:
The purpose of this study is to review available air quality data
for two National Parks near Lake Superior: Isle Royale National Park, (ISRO)
an island in western Lake Superior (State of Michigan) and Voyageurs National
Park (VOYA) on the U.S. and Canadian border (State of Minnesota). Air quality
prevalent at the two parks and the surrounding region will be described and aspects
of the ecosystem that may be affected by
degradation of air quality will be assessed. The overall air quality of the parks
has been assessed with respect to concentrations, trends in concentrations, and
trends in deposition of atmospheric compounds within the park. Deposition is
a major consideration as it affects vegetation, biological ecosystems, and human
health.
A final report for the project is currently being prepared. The focus of the report is on several criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, and visability. Criteria pollutants are those regulated under the US Clean Air Act (CAA) through National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and include nitrogen and sulfur oxides, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Although 188 air pollutants are regulated as hazardous air pollutants by the CAA, a report is being generated that focuses on those pollutants of greatest concern in the region—mercury, PCBs, and other bioaccumulating and persistent compounds. These compounds have important but not exclusive atmospheric sources in the parks and are known to accumulate in fish at levels unsafe for human consumption. Visibility impacts in remote areas are primarily a result of fine particulate matter. Therefore, special attention was given to sources and effects of particulate matter in and near the two parks.
In assessing the air quality of these two national parks, the scope of the report is limited to the pollutants mentioned above, including background information on these pollutants. The compounds of interest, including the major characteristics of the pollutants, their potential impacts on ecosystems and human health, and the mechanisms by which they cause their adverse effects are reviewed. Because both VOYA and ISRO are water-based parks, the impact of these pollutants on water and aquatic life is of prime importance. Thus, the process by which the compounds are deposited and accumulated in water and aquatic organisms are discussed. Both terrestrial and aquatic receptors are considered, and potential and known impacts to these systems are discussed in some detail.
The report also includes a review of federal, state, and local regulations that apply to the pollutants. The regional characteristics of the upper midwest and Great Lakes states are outlined. A section of the report focuses on known sources of air pollutants emitted in the region. It emphasizes major point sources in northern Minnesota and Canada, as well as the potential for long-range transport to the region. Also addressed in the study report are monitoring and research activities in each of the parks, and concentrations, trends, and deposition of the pollutants. Relevant data collected in or near the parks are described and discussed.
Finally, the study report compares the concentrations and effects of air pollutants at VOYA to that apparent in ISRO. The vulnerabilities or unique characteristics of the two units are considered and assessed based on the findings above.