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Knowledge as to the ultimate short term and long term consequences of the large quantities of substances introduced into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels is extremely limited. Studies in the U.S. and Europe, particularly Sweden have demonstrated the significant degradation of aquatic ecosystems as a result of the increased acidity of rainfall. As a response to the critical need to understand the impact of atmospheric deposition, the North Central region of the State Agricultural Experiment Stations established a program (NC-141) to conduct research on the effects on agricultural and forest lands and surface waters. The specific objectives of this project include the following:

1) Establishing a national atmospheric deposition network to determine spatial and temporal trends in the supply of beneficial nutrient elements and injurious substances in precipitation and dry particulate matter in various regions of the United States;

2) Determining the relative importance and contribution of precipita-
tion, dry particulate matter, aerosols, and gases to the total
atmospheric deposition in various states and regions; and

3) Coordinating research on the effects of changes in atmospheric
deposition on: a) the productivity of agricultural crops, forests,
range lands, wet lands, and surface waters; b) the health and
productivity of domestic food animals, wildlife and fish; and
c) corrosion of metals, painted surfaces, masonry, and materials
in machinery or structures.

National Atmospheric Deposition Program

This program known as the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) consists of an interdisciplinary team of about 100 research scientists and an initial planned network of 75-100 collection sites throughout the U.S. The attached map indicates presently operating sites (numbered plots) and sites planned to be operational in 1979 (X). The participating institutions and agencies include 21 State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES), 4 U.S. Forest Service Experiment Stations, The Illinois State Water Survey and 7 other state or private research organizations and universities in the United States and Canada. In addition, the following agencies are contributing personnel and/or financial support to the Project: the Agricultural Research (SEA/AR), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service (CASES), the Sulfate Regional Experiment (SURE) of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Multistate Atmospheric Power Production Pollution Study (MAP3S) of DOE. The Cooperative State Research Service of the USDA is coordinating the development of interagency relationships and resources for research in the field of atmospheric deposition.

Monitoring Network

The map shows the states and regions in which collection sites were established as of April 1, 1979 to implement objective 1). All collection sí el have been selected to give accurate and representative information

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concerning spatial and temporal variations in the chemistry of precipitation and dry particulate matter within the major physiographic regions of each participating state and region.

Each site is equipped with an identical collector of the wet/dry deposition type (Aerochem Metrics Model 301, Miami, Florida) a recording rain gauge, and pH and conductivity meters. Samples of precipitation and dry particulate matter are collected at each site or a regular weekly basis and shipped to the Central Analytical Laboratory for analysis.

Analyses and Analytical Services

During the first phase of Network operation, analyses will be made for the following elements, jons, or other properties of each sample: S04", NO3, PO4, C1, NH4*, K*, Na*, Ca**, Mg++, pH, total and free acidity or alkalinity, and electrical conductivity. Later certain additional elements will be added including F, Br, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, 8, Pb, Hg, 1, Nf, Cd, V, and other elements, various pesticides, asbesti form fibers, and radioactive materials.

To insure that the network data are of such high quality that they provide maximum credibility for a wide variety of fundamental research and mission oriented purposes, a Quality Assurance Committee of impartial experts is critically overseeing the selection and operation of each collection site, as well as the operation of the Central Analytical Laboratory (Illinois State Water Survey). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with the cooperation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories has agreed to conduct an extensive quality assurance program to meet criteria established by the Quality Assurance Committee.

Availability of Data

Data obtained by the Network is provided to all participating agencies. Any portion or all of the data will be provided upon request for any purpose of analysis and interpretation by personnel of any agency, public or private, which may wish to use the data. A highly flexible computerized print-out system will provide the data in maximally useful forms. This will be achieved by providing various types of sums, averages, correlations, timecourse plots and spatial variation plots. A hard-copy of trends in the amount of each element of ion deposited at each collection site will be produced at least every 3 months. Tabular data should be available early 1979 and the data management systems should be functional in mid to late 1979. Proposal has been received from EPA to develop and support a data system to serve NADP and other atmospheric monitoring programs.

Financial Support

Funds for the coordination of the Project as a whole have been provided by the North Central Regional Association of Directors, the Cooperative State Research Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Agricultural Research. The costs of establishment and operation of each collection site and analyses of precipitation and dry particulate matter are borne by each Experiment Station or institution participating in the Project. (See following Budget estimate).

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The cost of research on the effects of atmospheric deposition on plants, soils, wildlife and fish are borne by various granting agencies and the Experiment Stations and other agencies affiliated with the Project.

Organization

The Regional Project is governed by a Technical Committee including representatives from each participating institution or agency. The project is operated by an Executive Committee under the authority of the Technical Committee. Five subcommittees have been organized to provide technical direction for each of the programs major phases. Program organization and a listing of Sub-Committee Chairman and Executive Committee membership is attached.

Any person or agency wishing to participate in this Regional Project should contact the Project Development Coordinator (J. H. Gibson) or any member of the Executive Committee.