Overview
Great Basin NP is an air monitoring station in Great Basin National Park, Nevada, operated under the CASTNET network. It provides long-term atmospheric data for assessing air quality and environmental trends.
Great Basin NP is an air monitoring station located within Great Basin National Park in White Pine County, Nevada, United States. It is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a national program designed to monitor the effects of air pollution on ecosystems. The station collects data on criteria pollutants and atmospheric deposition, supporting research on regional air quality and ecological health. The station is operated by Mactec, Inc. under the reporting agency of the same name, with the most recent sample collected on December 24, 2024. CASTNET stations typically measure ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen compounds, and particulate matter, along with meteorological parameters. This facility contributes to the U.S. EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) and aligns with federal ambient air quality standards. As a remote site in a national park, Great Basin NP provides baseline air quality data for a pristine environment, helping to distinguish natural background conditions from anthropogenic pollution. Its long-term record supports trend analysis and policy development for protecting visibility and ecosystem health in Class I areas.
Environmental context
Great Basin NP operates in a high-elevation desert environment with clean air, making it ideal for monitoring background atmospheric conditions. The station's siting represents regional air quality far from major urban or industrial sources. Parameter coverage includes criteria pollutants and deposition chemistry, essential for assessing acid rain, nutrient enrichment, and ozone impacts on sensitive ecosystems. Reporting continuity through CASTNET ensures reliable long-term data for regulatory compliance and scientific research.
Frequently asked questions
Great Basin NP is located within Great Basin National Park in White Pine County, Nevada, United States. It is a remote site at high elevation, representative of background air quality conditions.
As part of the CASTNET network, the station measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, as well as atmospheric deposition chemistry including sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium.
The station is operated by Mactec, Inc., which serves as the reporting agency for the CASTNET site. The network is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
CASTNET (Clean Air Status and Trends Network) is a national monitoring network that provides data on the effects of air pollution on ecosystems. It supports the U.S. EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) and helps assess compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Air monitoring in national parks helps protect visibility, ecosystems, and human health. Data from remote sites like Great Basin NP establish baseline conditions and track long-term trends, informing policies to reduce pollution impacts on sensitive Class I areas.
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