Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge AQRV's
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness contain many lakes, bogs, marshes, and streams. The aquatic resources associated with these areas are considered to be air quality related values (AQRVs) that are sensitive to pollutants deposited from the atmosphere. Studies on lakes in the area in 1995 and 1996 indicated that, at the time, the buffering capacity of the lakes was sufficient to prevent the lakes from becoming acidic. However, continuing acidic deposition is a cause for concern and may eventually have an effect on lake chemistry. The lakes should be re-evaluated. In addition, atmospheric deposition carries toxic metals and organic pollutants, which degrade water quality. All Maine inland waters have warnings on eating fish because of mercury pollution.
Fauna/Wildlife
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve and protect wildlife, including migrating waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, upland game birds, songbirds, and birds of prey and their habitats. Wildlife are considered sensitive air quality related values (AQRVs), that is, they may be affected by air pollution. Air pollution may indirectly affect wildlife by causing habitat degradation. In addition, wildlife may be directly affected by atmospheric deposition of pollutants such as mercury and other toxics. All Maine inland waters have warnings on eating fish because of mercury pollution. Certain species of fish in the Moosehorn area have elevated levels of mercury in their tissues.
Soils
The susceptibility of Moosehorn soils to acidic deposition has not been investigated, but it is possible that they are sensitive AQRVs.
Vegetation
Field surveys have documented ozone injury on a number of plant species in Moosehorn. The affected plant species are sensitive AQRV's.
- Moosehorn Ozone Injury Survey
- Ozone Sensitive Plant Species on NPS and U.S. FWS Lands
- Ozone Bioindicators on NPS and U.S. FWS Lands
Visibility
Visibility is a sensitive AQRV at Moosehorn and visibility impairment due to fine particle pollution has been documented at Moosehorn. In addition, visible pollutant plumes have been documented in Moosehorn.