Winter Air Quality in Yellowstone National Park: 2006 – 2007
Ray JD. 2007. Winter Air Quality in Yellowstone National Park: 2006 – 2007. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NRPC/ARD/NRTR—2007/065. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Air quality monitoring for carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM2.5), and meteorological parameters was conducted during the winter of 2006-2007 in Yellowstone National Park at two busy traffic locations. Data from a West Yellowstone monitor and from other seasons at the two in-park monitors were also compared. The CO and PM2.5 concentrations are nearly the same as the previous two winter seasons and considerably lower than before the implementation of winter vehicle restrictions. Winter CO concentrations remain higher than the summer CO concentrations when there is much more traffic. PM2.5 concentrations are now higher during the summer because of the reduced snowmobile particulate emissions in winter and the frequent incidence of smoke during the summer that is unrelated to vehicle traffic. The restrictions on winter vehicle traffic imposed by the Temporary Winter Use Plan have been effective in bring down air pollution concentrations from values approaching the National Standards to values now less than 25% of the standards. However, winter concentrations are still above the normal background concentrations expected for an isolated continental location where natural conditions should prevale.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Ray, J
- Date of Issue
- 2007
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GRYN , NRSS , YELL
- Keywords
- Air Quality