Impact of a ski basin on a mountain watershed

The input of heavy metals by automobile exhaust pollution associated with the ski basin activities is the primary concern of this paper. Stream, snowpack and lichen samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Zn, and Cu. Some lichen samples were also analyzed for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, and Mn, as well as Pb, Zn, and Cu. Snowpack samples from roadside areas demonstrated increased levels of Pb and Cu in comparison to areas up to 180 m from the road, but heavy metal levels at more remote areas were comparable to roadside levels. In all snow samples the heavy metals associated with the particulate matter was the major form of all inputs. Heavy metals in streams were also highly correlated with the particulate matter content. Heavy metal inputs to the watershed were greater than stream export, indicating an accumulation of heavy metals by the system. The forest canopy appears to be the major factor in the accumulation of heavy metals, probably due to better interception and impaction of the particulate matter by the canopy.