Using epiphytic lichens to monitor nitrogen deposition near natural gas drilling operations in the Wind River Range, WY, USA

Jill A. McMurray; Dave W. Roberts; Mark E. Fenn; Linda H. Geiser; Sarah Jovan

doi:10.1007/s11270-013-1487-3

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Using epiphytic lichens to monitor nitrogen deposition near natural gas drilling operations in the Wind River Range, WY, USA

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Jill A. McMurray, Dave W. Roberts, Mark E. Fenn, Linda H. Geiser, Sarah Jovan

Year:

2013

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1487-3

Source:

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 224(3): 1487.

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Abstract

Rapid expansion of natural gas drilling in Sublette County, WY (1999-present), has raised concerns about the potential ecological effects of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition to the Wind River Range (WRR) including the Class I BridgerWilderness. We sampled annual throughfall (TF) N deposition and lichen thalli N concentrations under forest canopies in four different drainages of the WRR. Measurements of TF N deposition and N concentrations in lichen thalli were highest at plots closest to drilling operations (

Keywords

oil and gas development, lichens, throughfall nitrogen deposition, critical loads, monitoring, wilderness

Citation

McMurray, Jill A.; Roberts, Dave W.; Fenn, Mark E.; Geiser, Linda H.; Jovan, Sarah. 2013. Using epiphytic lichens to monitor nitrogen deposition near natural gas drilling operations in the Wind River Range, WY, USA. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 224(3): 1487.