The Arctic Vital Signs Network (ARCN) The Arctic Vital Signs Network (ARCN) includes 5 national park units in western Alaska: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (NPres), Cape Krusenstern National Monument (NM), Noatak NPres, Kobuk Valley National Park (NP), and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (NP&Pres). Much of the ARCN is wilderness or proposed wilderness; together, the units comprise about 25% of the land area of NPS managed areas in the United States. Habitats range from mountain ecosystems to coastal areas.
All of the ARCN units are Class II air quality areas under the Clean Air Act. Air quality issues of concern in the ARCN include arctic haze caused primarily by trans-Pacific transport of air pollutants, including mercury and other toxics. Mining activities contribute to local air pollution, with the world’s largest zinc mine located outside of Noatak NPres. Mining trucks transport the ore through Cape Krusenstern NM to a seaport, further affecting air quality.
The Network map below provides information on air quality monitoring. Ozone, sulfur dioxide, dry deposition, and meteorology are collected by the Gaseous Pollutant Monitoring (GPMN) network. Ozone is also monitored with passive samplers and portable continuous analyzers. Wet Deposition is monitored through cooperation with National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN). Visibility is monitored as part of the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE). Additional details on these parameters are described in Air Quality Monitoring.
Air quality monitoring in or near the network is indicated on the map by symbols, with the blue line showing the approximate borders of the network. The legend shows the symbols for the type of monitoring present, with NPS park units in green.