The study measured metal contamination in snow across nearly 50 sites in the Rocky Mountains (Credit DRI)
Snowpacks in the Rocky Mountains, essential for supplying water to communities across the American West, are being contaminated by mercury and other toxic metals carried by winter storms, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in the May issue of Environmental Pollution.
The research highlights how atmospheric circulation spreads mining-related pollutants across vast distances, raising concerns about both snowpack preservation and the long-term environmental impact of historic and active mining operations.
Led by Dr. Monica Arienzo, Associate Research Professor of Hydrology at the Desert Research Institute (DRI), in collaboration with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), University of Nevada, Reno, and Portland State University, the study analyzed contamination levels of mercury, zinc, cadmium, and antimony across nearly 50 sites in the Rocky Mountains.
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The results revealed elevated levels of metal contaminants in the northern Rockies, with storm-tracking data linking the pollution to mining regions in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, and Montana. The findings position this study as one of the first to assess metal contamination on a large scale across the Rocky Mountain range, offering critical insight into how industrial activity continues to affect air quality, snowfall, and water resources in the region.
The study underscores the need for continued monitoring and environmental management of legacy mining sites, particularly as the effects of climate change intensify pressure on already vulnerable snowpack ecosystems.
“Metal pollution in the Rockies is relatively understudied,” Arienzo said. “Other studies have focused on certain parts, so the fact that we have this transect from Montana to New Mexico makes this study unique.”
Although contamination levels were found to be within guidelines set by the EPA for both drinking water and aquatic life, dust can accelerate snowmelt by decreasing the reflectivity of the snowpack. The data can also provide critical information about how environmental contaminants and dust are distributed by the atmosphere.
This research employed a multi-faceted approach, combining various data sets to gain a complete picture of metal contamination reaching the region. In the spring of 2018, snow samples were collected from 48 sites throughout the Rocky Mountains. The researchers analyzed these samples for metal concentrations, distinguishing between metals such as calcium, which originate from natural dust, and those linked to both dust and industrial activities like mining. This comparison allowed the scientists to determine the specific contribution of human activities to the overall metal contamination.
