California air pollution creeps into remote Sierra monument

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Air pollution is a growing concern at Devils Postpile National Monument, near Mammoth Lakes, California. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

Wildfires, industrial sources contribute to ozone problems in the Eastern Sierra Nevada

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Devils Postpile National Monument in the eastern Sierra Nevada is about as far as you can get from California’s industrial urban centers, yet air quality at the site has suffered in recent years as pollution blows in from other parts of the state, according to a new U.S. Forest Service-led study.

The monument, near the resort town of Mammoth Lakes, features one of the best examples of columnar basalt formations and is also a gateway to High Sierra wilderness areas bordering on Yosemite National Park.

Ozone precursors (nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) from wildland fires, as well as ozone from the Bay Area and Central Valley resulted in exceedances of federal air quality standards, as well as state air quality standards during the 2007-2008 study period, at levels that pose a risk to sensitive individuals and indicate a need for long-term ozone monitoring. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, Environment, national parks, public lands, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Ozone pollution could exacerbate global warming, drought impact on forest ecosystems

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Researchers try to pinpoint impacts of ozone on forest ecosystems.

Large-scale study suggests ozone-stressed trees use more water

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The impacts of ozone of trees and other plants are well documented, but new large-scale studies suggest the heat-trapping gas may intensify the effects of warmer temperatures and reduce streamflow from forests to rivers, streams, and other water bodies.

Such effects could potentially reduce water supplies available to support forest ecosystems and people in the southeastern United States, according to a new study by the U.S. Forest Service and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Using large-scale models, the researchers found that increased concentrations of ozone in coming decades will aggravate drought and change stream flows, especially in dry seasons. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, climate and weather, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Environment: EPA approves Colorado clean air plan

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Regional haze reduction efforts should help reduce pollution along Front Range and in Rocky Mountain National Park

A computer-generated split-screen image a split-image simulates the average 20 percent best (left) and 20 percent worst 20 percent (right) visibility at the Long’s Peak vista based on an average of monitored data for years 2000-2004.

Ozone damage on the leaf of a cutleaf coneflower manifests in the form of black stipules. Photo courtesy RMNP.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A new EPA-sanctioned clean air plan could be just what the doctor ordered for Rocky Mountain National Park, where rangers had to hoist ozone warnings 17 times this summer, after an average of about five to seven each of the last few years.

Ozone readings also spiked at numerous other locations, especially along the Front Range, and farther out into the eastern plains, where ozone previously hasn’t been a big problem.

Officials blamed the long, hot summer, which cooked the deadly mix of nitrogen oxides and other compounds into a smoggy soup that stresses respiratory systems, clouds visibility and harms plants even in the high alpine zone of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Clean air advocates say that, despite tough state rules, increasing oil and gas drilling along the Front Range are contributing to the increased frequency of ozone spikes, and say that global warming adds to the challenges of controlling ozone smog.

The regional haze plan approved by the EPA this week is a good step in the right direction, according to Environmental Defense Fund attorney Pam Campos, explaining that the plan includes hard targets for reducing emissions by retiring some old coal-burning power plants, converting some to natural gas and making sure other industrial facilities cut emissions. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, climate and weather, Colorado, Environment | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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