Part of a series of articles titled Park Air Profiles.
Article
Park Air Profiles - Glacier National Park
Air Quality at Glacier National Park
Most visitors expect clean air and clear views in parks. Glacier National Park (NP), Montana, boasting glacial vistas and relatively pristine surface waters, is downwind of many pollutant sources, including power plants, agricultural areas, oil and gas development, and other industry. Air pollutants blown into the park can harm natural and scenic resources such as soils, surface waters, plants, wildlife, and visibility. The National Park Service works to address air pollution effects at Glacier NP, and in parks across the U.S., through science, policy and planning, and by doing our part.
Nitrogen and Sulfur
Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) compounds deposited from the air may have harmful effects on ecosystem processes. Healthy ecosystems can naturally buffer a certain amount of pollution, but once a threshold is passed the ecosystem may respond negatively. This threshold is the critical load, or the amount of pollution above which harmful changes in sensitive ecosystems occur (Porter 2005). N and S deposition change ecosystems through eutrophication (N deposition) and acidification (N + S deposition). Eutrophication increases soil and water nutrients which causes some species to grow more quickly and change community composition. Ecosystem sensitivity to nutrient N enrichment at Glacier National Park (GLAC) relative to other national parks is high (Sullivan et al. 2016); for a full list of N sensitive ecosystem components, see: NPS ARD 2019. Acidification leaches important cations from soils, lakes, ponds, and streams which decreases habitat quality. Ecosystem sensitivity to acidification at GLAC relative to other national parks is very high (Sullivan et al. 2016); to search for acid-sensitive plant species, see: NPSpecies.
From 2017-2019 total N deposition in GLAC ranged from 2.4 to 8.1 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 and total S deposition ranged from 0.5 to 1.8 kg-S ha-1 yr-1 based on the TDep model (NADP, 2018). GLAC has been monitoring atmospheric N and S deposition since 1980, see the conditions and trends website for park-specific information.
Watersheds that receive glacial runoff are less sensitive to acid deposition than others due to buffering minerals like calcium in the runoff (Ellis et al. 1992; Clow et al. 2002; Nanus et al. 2009; Peterson et al. 1998; Sullivan et al. 2016).
Alpine ecosystem effects
Alpine environments are particularly vulnerable to large inputs of reactive nitrogen because of the sparse cover of vegetation, short growing seasons, large areas of exposed bedrock and talus, and snowmelt nutrient releases (Williams et al., 1996; Nanus et al., 2012). Approximately 2% of the land area in GLAC is alpine (~328 km2 above 1550 m). McClung et al. (2020) compared the 2015 estimated total N deposition (TDep; NADP, 2018) to the critical load of N for an increase in alpine sedge growth (alpine plant critical load = 3 kg-N ha-1yr-1) and the critical load of N for alpine soil nitrate leaching (alpine soil critical load = 10 kg-N ha-1yr-1; Bowman et al., 2012). They found that deposition exceeded the alpine plant critical load in *% of the park’s alpine area, but was below the alpine soil critical load throughout the park’s entire alpine area.
Epiphytic macrolichen community responses
Epiphytic macrolichens grow on tree trunks, branches, and boles. Since these lichens grow above the ground, they obtain all their nutrients directly from precipitation and the air. Many epiphytic lichen species have narrow environmental niches and are extremely sensitive to changes in air pollution. Geiser et al. (2019) used a U.S. Forest Service national survey to develop critical loads of nitrogen (N) and critical loads of sulfur (S) to prevent more than a 20% decline in four lichen community metrics: total species richness, pollution sensitive species richness, forage lichen abundance, and cyanolichen abundance.
McCoy et al. (2021) used forested area from the National Land Cover Database to estimate the impact of air pollution on epiphytic lichen communities. Forested area makes up 2183 km2 (53.5%) of the land area of Glacier National Park.
- N deposition exceeded the 3.1 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 critical load to protect N-sensitive lichen species richness in 70.2% of the forested area.
- S deposition was below the 2.7 kg-S ha-1 yr-1 critical load to protect S-sensitive lichen species richness in every part of the forested area.
For exceedances of other lichen metrics and the predicted decline of lichen communities see Appendices A and B of McCoy et al. (2021).
Additional modeling was done on 459 lichen species to test the combined effects of air pollution and climate gradients (Geiser et al. 2021). A critical load indicative of initial shifts from pollution-sensitive toward pollution-tolerant species occurred at 1.5 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 and 2.7 kg-S ha-1 yr-1 even under changing climate regimes.
Plant species response
Plants vary in their tolerance of eutrophication and acidification, and some plant species respond to nitrogen (N) or sulfur (S) pollution with declines in growth, survival, or abundance on the landscape. Horn et al. (2018) used the U.S. Forest Service national forest survey to develop critical loads of N and critical loads of S to prevent declines in growth or survival of sensitive tree species. Clark et al. (2019) used a database of plant community surveys to develop critical loads of N and critical loads of S to prevent a decline in abundance of sensitive herbaceous plant species. According to NPSpecies, Glacier National Park contains:
- 6 N-sensitive tree species and 40 N-sensitive herbaceous species.
- 8 S-sensitive tree species and 35 S-sensitive herbaceous species.
Change in N and S deposition from 2000 to 2021
The maps below show how the spatial distribution of estimated Total N and Total S deposition in GLAC has changed from 2000-2002 to 2019-2021 (TDep MMF version 2022.02). Slide the arrows in the middle of the image up and down to compare N and S deposition between the two years (Yearly Data).
- Minimum N deposition increased from 2.4 to 2.7 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 and maximum N deposition remained at 6.4 kg-N ha-1 yr-1.
- Minimum S deposition decreased from 0.8 to 0.5 kg-S ha-1 yr-1 and maximum S deposition decreased from 2.6 to 1.5 kg-S ha-1 yr-1.
Persistent Pollutants
Pollutants like mercury and pesticides are concerning because they are persistent and toxic in the environment. These contaminants can travel in the air thousands of miles away from the source of pollution, even depositing in protected places like national parks. In addition, while some of these harmful pollutants may be banned from use, historically contaminated sites continue to endure negative environmental consequences.
When deposited, airborne mercury and other toxic air contaminants are known to harm wildlife like birds and fish, and cause human health concerns. Many of these substances enter the food chain and accumulate in the tissue of organisms causing reduced reproductive success, impaired growth and development, and decreased survival.
- Mercury concentrations in fish sampled from Glacier NP did not exceed any thresholds for fish toxicity, bird toxicity, or US EPA’s human consumption guidance. Fish were analyzed for mercury from one site (Lake McDonald) at the park and compared to data across 21 western parks. The average park fish mercury concentration (232.4 ng/g ww) was higher than the study-wide mean (77.7 ng/g ww). However, the data may not reflect the risk at other unsampled locations in the park (Eagles-Smith et al. 2014). Fish consumption advisories may be in effect for mercury and other contaminants (NPS 2022).
- Older studies found fish mercury concentrations in the park that exceeded safe consumption thresholds for human and wildlife health, prompting guidelines for fish consumption in Glacier NP, and specifically at Lake McDonald and Lake St. Mary (Schwindt et al. 2008; Downs and Stafford 2009; GNP 2009; Downs et al. 2011). At select sites (Snyder Lake and Oldman Lake), levels of historic-use pesticides dieldrin and DDT in fish also exceeded safe consumption thresholds for human and wildlife health, and concentrations of current-use pesticides in fish are higher than in other western U.S. national parks (Ackerman et al. 2008; Landers et al. 2008; Landers et al. 2010; ).
- One fish sampled from the park was found to be intersex (Schwindt et al. 2009; Schreck and Kent 2013). Reproductive abnormalities such as intersex, the presence of both male and female reproductive structures in the same fish, can signify exposure to contaminants.
- Some dragonfly larvae sampled at Glacier NP had mercury concentrations at moderate impairment levels. Dragonfly larvae have been sampled and analyzed for mercury from three sites in the park; 67% of the data fall into the moderate (100-300 ng/g dw) impairment categories for potential mercury risk. An index of moderate impairment or higher suggests some fish species may exceed the US EPA benchmark for protection of human health (Eagles-Smith et al. 2018; Eagles-Smith et al. 2020).
- Mercury, pesticides, and other contaminants have been found in park water, snow, vegetation, and lake sediments (Watras et al. 1995; Krabbenhoft et al. 2002; Hageman et al. 2006; Mast et al. 2006; Ingersoll et al. 2007). In 2021, the average mercury concentration found in snowpack was 1.3 ng/L at Apgar Lookout (USGS 2021).
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in snow, lichen, and sediment is 3.6 to 60,000 times greater in the park’s Snyder Lake watershed than in other western and Alaskan national park watersheds; levels attributable to emissions from a local aluminum smelter. Although the smelter is now closed, PAHs deposited from its emissions persist in the park’s ecosystems (Usenko et al. 2010).
The NPS Air Resources Division reports on park conditions and trends for mercury. Visit the webpage to learn more.
Visibility
Visitors come to Glacier NP to enjoy spectacular views of active glaciers and the rugged topography and stunning lakes and streams left by the colossal glaciers of the past. Park vistas are sometimes obscured by haze, reducing how well and how far people can see. Visibility reducing haze is caused by tiny particles in the air, and these particles can also affect human health. Many of the same pollutants that ultimately fall out as nitrogen and sulfur deposition contribute to this haze. Organic compounds, soot, dust, and wood smoke reduce visibility as well. Significant improvements in park visibility have been documented since the late 1980’s. Still, visibility in the park is a long way from the Clean Air Act goal of no human caused impairment.
Visibility effects:
- Reduction of the average natural visual range from about 145 miles (without the effects of pollution) to about 95 miles because of pollution at the park;
- Reduction of visual range to below 50 miles on high pollution days.
Visit the NPS air quality conditions and trends website for park-specific visibility information. Glacier NP has been monitoring visibility since 1988. View live webcams and explore air monitoring »
Ground-Level Ozone
At ground level, ozone is harmful to human health and the environment. Ground-level ozone does not come directly from smokestacks or vehicles, but instead is formed when other pollutants, mainly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, react in the presence of sunlight.
Over the course of a growing season, ozone can damage plant tissues making it harder for plants to produce and store food. It also weakens plants making them less resistant to disease and insect infestations. Relatively low ozone exposure levels at Glacier NP make the risk of vegetation injury to plants low (Kohut 2004). Ozone-sensitive plants in Glacier NP include Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) and Salix scouleriana (Scouler’s willow). Search ozone-sensitive plant species found at Glacier NP.
Visit the NPS air quality conditions and trends website for park-specific ozone information. Glacier NP has been monitoring ozone since 1992. View live ozone and meteorology data, and explore air monitoring »
Explore Other Park Air Profiles
There are 47 other Park Air Profiles covering parks across the United States and its territories.
References
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Last updated: August 17, 2023