Consequently, Mount Rainier
The air resources management program at Mount Rainier includes monitoring, research, and regulatory interaction with local, state and federal agencies. Long-term monitoring programs include monitoring for gaseous pollutants such as ozone, visibility impairment, and atmospheric depositions. More information is available on the IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) web site. In addition, there is an ongoing effort to determine the ecological effects of air pollutants on park resources.
The National Park Service (NPS) Air Quality Research Program involves an extensive network of monitoring for pollution, visibility conditions, and biological effects in NPS units. At Mount Rainier the monitoring program has included:
- Use of cameras for measuring visibility.
- Fine particulate monitors for identifying the causes and sources of visibility impairment.
- Ozone monitors for establishing baseline conditions, assisting ozone effects research, measuring precipitation chemistry, and evaluating new pollution sources.