Jan 10, 2008 8:16 am US/Mountain
Team Studies High Mercury Levels Over Steamboat
Experts At Weather Summit Discuss Climate Change
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Scientists at a weather research station on the top of Mount Werner near Steamboat Springs believe pollution in China is leading to higher levels of mercury in the air over Colorado.
The research team at the Storm Peak Laboratory says it's too early know what the higher levels of mercury mean for people in Colorado.
"These are all current research projects up at the lab," said Dr. Gannet Hallar, the laboratory's director. "We are trying to understand at the Storm Peak lab how that Asian long-range pollution transport doesn't just affect Steamboat Springs, but the nation as a whole."
The pollutants are from coal burning power plants in China which use coal that has higher levels of mercury. The plants also have limited pollution controls.
Researchers say China is bringing on new coal burning power plants at an amazing rate.
The mercury then travels in large air masses from Asia, across the Pacific to the United States.
Hallar and her team were part of a presentation on the "State of Our Atmosphere" during the annual weather summit in Steamboat Springs. They also talked about the recent climate change studies and the impacts on northwest Colorado.
"It's such a polarizing issue," she said. "For me, it's always been a science issue, and it's just sad that it's turning into a political one."
Other scientists at the weather summit expressed the need for lifestyle changes in terms of everyday energy use. University of Colorado professor Jim White said every bit helps when it comes to reducing pollution.
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