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UNH Scientist Finds Widespread
Air Pollution From Snowmobiles in Yellowstone National
Contact: David Sims
603-862-5369
Science Writer
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space
January 12, 2004
DURHAM, N.H. -- A team of scientists led by Barkley Sive of the
University of New Hampshire has finalized a study of air pollutants
in Yellowstone National Park.
The study confirmed that new, four-stroke snowmobiles and snowcoaches
produce far fewer levels of emissions relative to conventional two-stroke
snowmobiles, which are the primary source of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and carbon monoxide pollution in Yellowstone National Park
during winter.
“This study provided us with clear, park-wide snapshots of
air quality,” said Sive, an atmospheric chemist with the Climate
Change Research Center at UNH's Institute for the Study of Earth,
Oceans, and Space (EOS). Sive added, “We saw large increases
of various gases associated with two-stroke snowmobiles. In some
cases the air was much dirtier than the conditions one would expect
for such a remote area.”
The study collected more than 200 air samples from 21 sites throughout
Yellowstone from Feb. 12 to 16, 2003, using well-recognized methods
accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency. Scientists at UNH
measured approximately 85 different VOCs including benzene and toluene,
as well as carbon monoxide and methane.
Even in remote park locations, levels of pollutants were substantial
and carried the “fingerprint” of emissions from two-stroke
snowmobiles, which substantially out-numbered the cleaner-burning
four-stroke snowmobiles.
The scientists recommended in their final report to the park that
discontinuing the use of two-stroke snowmobiles “will improve
the air quality by reducing VOCs and carbon monoxide pollutants.”
Yellowstone National Park funded the study as part of the park's
ongoing efforts to monitor air quality and other park resources
to assess the impacts of winter use. The study is available on Yellowstone
National Park's website at: www.nps.gov/yell/technical/planning/winteruse/plan/.
Barkley Sive can be reached at (603) 862-3132
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