Monitoring networks for both atmospheric deposition and air quality compliance are deliberately located to avoid local sources. While appropriate for capturing regional trends, this approach misses the fine-grained patterns that are likely to have an overriding impact on deposition fluxes at scales and locations where city dwellers encounter them. Fluxes should necessarily include heavy metals in addition to nitrogen. Near ground sources like vehicles and building surfaces, manufacturing, construction activities and peak power generation facilities are important sources to consider in the context human well-being and biogeochemistry.  

This talk has 3 parts. First, we will summarize published information about near road deposition of heavy metals. Second, we will present new data from studies we are conducting at the Brooklyn Grange vegetable farms in New York City that show both vertical and horizontal variation and findings from gradient studies downwind of heavily trafficked streets. Last, we will discuss problems we have encountered and suggest strategies for sample collection that can be incorporated into the present NADP protocol.