HR: 16:15h
AN: B24A-02 [Abstracts]
TI: Nitrogen transport and deposition during the Rocky Mountain Airborne Nitrogen and Sulfur (RoMANS) study
AU: * Collett, J L
EM: collett@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Raja, S
EM: suresh@lamar.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Taylor, C
EM: cgorin@ensr.aecom.com
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Carrico, C
EM: carrico@lamar.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Schwandner, F
EM: fschwand@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Beem, K
EM: kbeem@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Lee, T
EM: thlee@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Sullivan, A
EM: sullivan@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Day, D
EM: day@cira.colostate.edu
AF: NPS/CIRA, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: McMeeking, G
EM: gavin@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Kreidenweis, S
EM: sonia@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Hand, J
EM: hand@cira.colostate.edu
AF: NPS/CIRA, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Schichtel, B
EM: schichtel@cira.colostate.edu
AF: NPS/CIRA, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AU: Malm, W
EM: malm@cira.colostate.edu
AF: NPS/CIRA, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523,
AB:
A number of deleterious effects have been noted due to increasing deposition of nitrogen compounds in Rocky
Mountain National Park (RMNP). The Rocky Mountain Airborne Nitrogen and Sulfur (RoMANS) study was
conducted to improve our understanding of the sources and transport of airborne nitrogen and sulfur species
within RMNP as well as their deposition pathways. Two field campaigns were conducted, in spring and summer
2006, to characterize pollutant transport and deposition during seasons with historically high nitrogen inputs.
Several measurements sites were operated within the park, at locations west and east of the park boundaries,
and at locations near the NE, NW, and SE boundaries of the state of Colorado. Measurements at several sites
included 24-hour integrated gas concentrations (ammonia, nitric acid, sulfur dioxide), PM2.5 composition, and
wet deposition. A core measurement site in the park included more detailed and higher time resolution chemical,
optical, and particle size distribution measurements. An overview of study findings will be presented including
the composition of collected PM2.5, concentrations of key trace gas species, and observations of wet and dry
deposition composition and fluxes.
Concentrations of N species in RMNP varied significantly with local and regional transport patterns. High
concentrations of nitrate/nitric acid and ammonia/ammonium observed routinely on the eastern plains of
Colorado reflect a mixture of urban and agricultural emissions. The highest concentrations of N species in
RMNP were generally associated with upslope transport from the east. Nitrogen deposition in RMNP during the
spring campaign was dominated by a single, upslope snowstorm. A combination of high pollutant
concentrations and heavy precipitation during this upslope event acted to produce N deposition fluxes that far
outweighed other spring precipitation events. During the summer study, by contrast, numerous events
contributed more equally to total N wet deposition fluxes. Organic nitrogen, ammonium, and nitrate were all
important contributors to N wet deposition. Wet deposition of N substantially exceeded dry deposition inputs.
DE: 0305 Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801, 4906)
DE: 0322 Constituent sources and sinks
DE: 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry
DE: 0368 Troposphere: constituent transport and chemistry
DE: 0469 Nitrogen cycling
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting