Field Studies of Aerosol Formation and Biodegradation of Snowmobile Fuels, Lubricants, and Emissions in the Yellowstone Region
Tyler BJ and Peterson RE. 2000. Field Studies of Aerosol Formation and Biodegradation of Snowmobile Fuels, Lubricants, and Emissions in the Yellowstone Region. Montana State University. Bozeman, MT
The objective of this study has been to determine if semi-volatile organic compounds in the YNP snow pack and snow melt can be attributed to snowmobile traffic. In addition, it was desired to determine whether these compounds accumulate in the snow to levels which pose an environmental hazard and to provide a preliminary estimate of the extent of their persistence in the impacted area. Although EPA has designated polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other semi-volatile organic species as priority pollutants, there have been very few studies of these species in snow pack. During the 1999 Winter season, analysis of the samples was confounded by sampling artifacts and and low analytical sensitivity. This seasons work has focused on development of reliable methods for sample collection and analysis of semi-volatile species from mobile sources in snow.