National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) Active
National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)
NADP is a multi-partner atmospheric monitoring program that measures concentrations and deposition of atmospheric constituents across North America
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) is a multi-partner atmospheric monitoring program that measures the concentrations and deposition of atmospheric constituents across North America. The USGS has been an NADP partner agency since 1981 and participates by providing funds for 72 National Trend Network (NTN) sites.
Linking transit times to catchment sensitivity in western U.S.
Short transit times—the time between entry of a water molecule into the ground surface and when it exits the catchment—is a key reason why western U.S. high-elevation catchments are highly sensitive to atmospheric pollution and climate change.
Quick Links
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) monitors precipitation chemistry through five monitoring networks. USGS supports monitoring sites within the National Trends Network and the Mercury Deposition Network.
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) operates five monitoring networks for various constituents of which the National Trends Network (NTN) is the largest with 263 sites where the major ions in precipitation are measured weekly. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been an NADP partner agency since 1981 and participates by providing funds for 72 NTN sites.
► More about the NADP data, program, and networks
Data from the NADP networks are used to track trends and examine spatial patterns in atmospheric deposition of constituents that include nitrogen, sulfur, mercury, calcium, and others. Many of these constituents are naturally present in the atmosphere but also originate in part as air pollutant emissions from human activities such as from power plants and vehicles. Clean air policies implemented under the Clean Air Act, as part of global treaties, and by other regulations typically set targets for reducing emissions, which are tracked by NADP measurements. In this manner, there is a close link between science, policy, and management among NADP partners. The identical field sampling protocols and equipment and analyses by one laboratory using the same methods facilitates comparisons across sites and highlights the value of a multi-partner monitoring program.
Below are data or web applications associated with National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP).
Since 1985, the NADP has created annual gradient maps of precipitation-weighted mean concentrations and deposition for several different parameters.
Slider maps showing the 2018 to 1985 difference in concentrations and deposition for pH, sulfate, and nitrogen are linked below. You can use the slider to compare the two years side by side, or view either year in full.
Scientists use National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) data to investigate nitrogen sources to watersheds and estuaries, ecosystem effects of pollutant deposition, and results of implementation of clean air policies.
Atmospheric Deposition Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
Atmospheric transport of pesticides in the Sacramento, California, metropolitan area, 1996-1997
The effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and southern Wyoming— A synthesis and critical assessment of published results
Controls of stream chemistry and fish populations in the Neversink watershed, Catskill Mountains, New York
Effects of stream acidification and habitat on fish populations of a North American river
Isotopic and chemical composition of inorganic and organic water-quality samples from the Mississippi River Basin, 1997-98
Effects of animal feeding operations on water resources and the environment; proceedings of the technical meeting, Fort Collins, Colorado, August 30-September 1, 1999
Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks
Environmental characteristics and water quality of hydrologic benchmark network stations in the western United States, 1963-95
Environmental characteristics and water quality of hydrologic benchmark network stations in the west-central United States, 1963-95
Loch Vale, Colorado: A Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets Program Site
Snowpack chemistry at selected sites in Colorado and New Mexico during winter 1999-2000
Temporal coherence of two alpine lake basins of the Colorado Front Range, USA
- Overview
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) is a multi-partner atmospheric monitoring program that measures the concentrations and deposition of atmospheric constituents across North America. The USGS has been an NADP partner agency since 1981 and participates by providing funds for 72 National Trend Network (NTN) sites.
Linking transit times to catchment sensitivity in western U.S.Short transit times—the time between entry of a water molecule into the ground surface and when it exits the catchment—is a key reason why western U.S. high-elevation catchments are highly sensitive to atmospheric pollution and climate change.
Quick LinksThe National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) monitors precipitation chemistry through five monitoring networks. USGS supports monitoring sites within the National Trends Network and the Mercury Deposition Network.
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) operates five monitoring networks for various constituents of which the National Trends Network (NTN) is the largest with 263 sites where the major ions in precipitation are measured weekly. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been an NADP partner agency since 1981 and participates by providing funds for 72 NTN sites.
► More about the NADP data, program, and networks
Data from the NADP networks are used to track trends and examine spatial patterns in atmospheric deposition of constituents that include nitrogen, sulfur, mercury, calcium, and others. Many of these constituents are naturally present in the atmosphere but also originate in part as air pollutant emissions from human activities such as from power plants and vehicles. Clean air policies implemented under the Clean Air Act, as part of global treaties, and by other regulations typically set targets for reducing emissions, which are tracked by NADP measurements. In this manner, there is a close link between science, policy, and management among NADP partners. The identical field sampling protocols and equipment and analyses by one laboratory using the same methods facilitates comparisons across sites and highlights the value of a multi-partner monitoring program.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP).
- Multimedia
Since 1985, the NADP has created annual gradient maps of precipitation-weighted mean concentrations and deposition for several different parameters.
Slider maps showing the 2018 to 1985 difference in concentrations and deposition for pH, sulfate, and nitrogen are linked below. You can use the slider to compare the two years side by side, or view either year in full.
- Publications
Scientists use National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) data to investigate nitrogen sources to watersheds and estuaries, ecosystem effects of pollutant deposition, and results of implementation of clean air policies.
Atmospheric Deposition Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
No abstract available.AuthorsMark A. NillesFilter Total Items: 151Atmospheric transport of pesticides in the Sacramento, California, metropolitan area, 1996-1997
Weekly composite, bulk air was sampled with respect to wind speed and direction from January 1996 through December 1997 in one urban and two agricultural locations in Sacramento County, California. The sampling sites were located along a north-south transect, the dominant directions of the prevailing winds. The samples were analyzed for a variety of current-use pesticides, including dormant orcharAuthorsMichael S. Majewski, David S. BastonThe effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and southern Wyoming— A synthesis and critical assessment of published results
The Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and southern Wyoming receives as much as 7 kilograms per hectare per year ((kg/ha)/yr) of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, an amount that may have caused changes in aquatic and terrestrial life in otherwise pristine ecosystems. The Rocky Mountain National Park, in its role of protecting air-quality related values under provisions of the Clean Air Act AmendAuthorsDouglas A. BurnsControls of stream chemistry and fish populations in the Neversink watershed, Catskill Mountains, New York
The Neversink Watershed Study was initiated in 1991 to develop an understanding of the key natural processes that control water quality within the forested, 166 km 2 (64 mi 2), Neversink River watershed; part of the New York City drinking water supply system, in the Catskill Mountain region of New York. The study entailed (1) hydrological investigations of water movement from the atmosphere to strAuthorsGregory B. Lawrence, Douglas A. Burns, Barry P. Baldigo, Peter S. Murdoch, Gary M. LovettEffects of stream acidification and habitat on fish populations of a North American river
Water quality, physical habitat, and fisheries at sixteen reaches in the Neversink River Basin were studied during 1991-95 to identify the effects of acidic precipitation on stream-water chemistry and on selected fish-species populations, and to test the hypothesis that the degree of stream acidification affected the spatial distribution of each fish-species population. Most sites on the East BranAuthorsBarry P. Baldigo, Gregory B. LawrenceIsotopic and chemical composition of inorganic and organic water-quality samples from the Mississippi River Basin, 1997-98
Nitrate (NO3) and other nutrients discharged by the Mississippi River combined with seasonal stratification of the water column are known to cause a zone of depleted dissolved oxygen (hypoxic zone) in the Gulf of Mexico each summer. About 120 water and suspended sediment samples collected in 1997 and 1998 from 24 locations in the Mississippi River Basin were analyzed for the isotope ratios δ15N anAuthorsWilliam A. Battaglin, Carol Kendall, Cecily C.Y. Chang, Steven R. Silva, Donald H. CampbellEffects of animal feeding operations on water resources and the environment; proceedings of the technical meeting, Fort Collins, Colorado, August 30-September 1, 1999
No abstract available.AuthorsFranceska D. Wilde, L. J. Britton, C.V. Miller, D.W. KolpinStable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios for selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's NASQAN and benchmark surface-water networks
Increasingly, hydrologic studies require information on the isotopic composition of natural waters. This report presents stable hydrogen (delta2H) and oxygen isotope ratios (delta18O) from 391 selected sites of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and BENCHMARK surface water networks collected during the years 1984-1987. Depth-integrated samples were colAuthorsTyler B. Coplen, Carol KendallEnvironmental characteristics and water quality of hydrologic benchmark network stations in the western United States, 1963-95
This report describes the environmental characteristics and water-quality characteristics of 12 hydrologic benchmark network streams in the Western United States. This information was compiled to aide in the interpretation and application of water-quality data collected as part of the Hydrologic Benchmark Network Program.AuthorsAlisa Mast, David W. ClowEnvironmental characteristics and water quality of hydrologic benchmark network stations in the west-central United States, 1963-95
This report describes the environmental characteristics and water-quality characteristics of 14 benchmark basins in the west-central United States. The information was compiled to aide in the interpretation and application of historical water-quality data collected through the Hydrologic Benchmark Network Program.AuthorsMelanie L. Clark, C. A. Eddy-Miller, Alisa MastLoch Vale, Colorado: A Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets Program Site
No abstract available.AuthorsD. W. Clow, K. Campbell, M.A. Mast, Robert G. Striegl, K.P. Wickland, G.P. IngersollSnowpack chemistry at selected sites in Colorado and New Mexico during winter 1999-2000
Snowpacks at two high-elevation (> 3,000 m) sampling sites near McPhee and Sanchez Reservoirs in southern Colorado were selected to collect representative samples of atmospheric deposition to the surrounding watersheds during winter 1999-2000. In February 2000, annual snowpacks at two sites were sampled to determine concentrations of nitrate and sulfate; concentrations of the trace elements arseniAuthorsGeorge P. IngersollTemporal coherence of two alpine lake basins of the Colorado Front Range, USA
1. Knowledge of synchrony in trends is important to determining regional responses of lakes to disturbances such as atmospheric deposition and climate change. We explored the temporal coherence of physical and chemical characteristics of two series of mostly alpine lakes in nearby basins of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Using year-to-year variation over a 10-year period, we asked whether lakes morAuthorsJill Baron, N. Caine