Ozone

Importance / Issues

Pohlman and Maniero (2005) recommended ozone monitoring with portable equipment that can be moved among parks.

Ozone is the air pollutant most likely to impact vegetation of NGPN parks, but is monitored only at the three Class 1 air quality parks.

The Network supports ozone-sensitive plant species. Although low, the risk of adverse levels is highest at parks that are least well monitored. (Pohlman and Maniero 2005).

Monitoring Parks :

All except Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt, and Wind Cave. Emphasis on Nebraska and eastern Wyoming parks.

Preliminary Monitoring Objectives

1. Determine trends in selected air-quality characteristics that have high potential for degradation to levels that would damage park resources.

Potential Measures

Ambient ozone levels

Expected Approach

Portable ozone recorders and established Air Resources Division protocols. Conducted through a contract or agreement.

Protocol Development & Status

Not Started

Status & Trends

Status and Trends will be posted once monitoring has begun.

Contact Information

Kara Paintner, Network Coordinator
Northern Great Plains Network
231 East St. Joseph St.
Rapid City, SD 57701
Tel. 605 - 341-2807
kara_paintner@nps.gov