The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee are named for the fog that looks like smoke over the mountains. Lately, smog and acid rain, mostly imported from outside the region, have decreased air quality.
Why It Matters
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S.
- The range is also part of a biosphere preserve that protects old growth forest and a diverse ecosystem that includes black bears and salamanders.
- The natural fog is the result of natural volatile organic compounds coming off the vegetation.
- Air pollution and acid rain are causing tree deaths and other changes in the ecosystem.
With the links below, learn more about air quality in the Great Smoky Mountains. Then answer the following questions.
- National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains, Air Quality (webpage): http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/air-quality.htm
- Duckypaddler, Smokies Acid Rain clip (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnu5aLhZMdA
- Where are the pollutants that are degrading air qualities in the Smokys coming from?
- Which pollutants obscure the views in the national park and how much are they obscured?
- What are the effects of ground-level ozone pollution in the park?
- What is the effect of high nitrogen levels in the park?
- Why are the native brook trout called an indicator species for the Smokys?
- What is being done to limit pollution in to the park?