Evidence of Enhanced Atmospheric Ammoniacal Nitrogen in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area: Implications for Natural and Cultural Resources

Abstract

Agriculture releases copious fertilizing pollutants to air sheds and waterways of the northwestern United States. To evaluate threats to natural resources and historic rock paintings in remote Hells Canyon, Oregon and Idaho, deposition of ammonia (NH₃), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at five stations along 60 km of the Snake River valley floor were passively sampled from July 2002 through June 2003, and ozone data and particulate chemistry were obtained from the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) station at Hells Canyon. NH₃ concentrations were high; biweekly averages peaked at 5–19 ppb in spring and summer and the nutrient-laden Snake River is a likely source. Fine particulate ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) averaged 2.6 µg/m³ during the 20% of worst visibility days with winter drainage of air masses from the Snake River Basin and possibly long distance transport from southern California. Other pollutants were within background ranges. NH₃ is corrosive to clay-based picto-graphs; nitrogen deposition can alter natural biotic communities and terrestrial ecosystem processes at levels reported here.