Joshua Tree National Park Air Quality Monitoring
Air Atlas is a GIS database of air quality estimates for 270 parks that are part of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program. These estimates can be used when on-site monitoring data is not available.
Air Atlas
Atmospheric Deposition Monitoring
Dry deposition has been measured at Joshua Tree NP (site #JOT403), 1995-present, as part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet). CASTNet has also estimated wet deposition in the park for that period, by interpolating data from area monitors. In 2000, wet deposition monitoring was initiated in Joshua Tree NP (site CA67) as part of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN).
- National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network --Site Overview and Data
- EPA Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) Overview --Site Overview and Data
Night Skies
Optical monitoring to collect baseline data on night sky brightness at Joshua Tree NP is scheduled for completion in fall 2005, with a report in 2006. The optical measurement produces not only a measure of night sky brightness and identification of light pollution sources, but also produces a measure of the effect of the atmosphere on light scattering caused by fine particulates and other air pollutants, and moisture.
Ozone Monitoring
Ozone concentrations have been monitored adjacent to Joshua Tree NP from 1987-1993 and in the park from 1993-present (EPA site 060719002). Joshua Tree NP experiences very high ozone, with peak concentrations and cumulative doses that are some of the highest in the NPS. Ozone concentrations have frequently exceeded both the previous 1-hr primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 0.12 ppm and the current NAAQS of 0.08 ppm (based on 4th highest 8-hr average).
Visibility Monitoring
Visibility has been monitored in Joshua Tree NP as part of the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network, using an aerosol sampler (1992-1993; 2000-present) and 35mm camera (1982-1992). Information from the aerosol sampler confirms that visibility is often degraded.