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Long‐range transport of NH 3 , CO, HCN, and C 2 H 6 from the 2014 Canadian Wildfires
Author(s) -
Lutsch E.,
Dammers E.,
Conway S.,
Strong K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2016gl070114
Subject(s) - moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer , atmospheric sciences , arctic , environmental science , atmosphere (unit) , carbon monoxide , boreal , ammonia , the arctic , meteorology , climatology , chemistry , geology , physics , oceanography , catalysis , paleontology , biochemistry , satellite , organic chemistry , astronomy
We report the first long‐term measurements of ammonia (NH 3 ) in the high Arctic. Enhancements of the total columns of NH 3 , carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and ethane (C 2 H 6 ) were detected in July and August 2014 at Eureka, Nunavut, and Toronto, Ontario. Enhancements were attributed to fires in the Northwest Territories using the FLEXPART Lagrangian dispersion model and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Fire Hot Spot data set. Emission estimates are reported as average emission factors for HCN (0.62 ± 0.34 g kg −1 ), C 2 H 6 (1.50 ± 0.75 g kg −1 ), and NH 3 (1.40 ± 0.72 g kg −1 ). Observations of NH 3 at both sites demonstrate long‐range transport of NH 3 , with an estimated NH 3 lifetime of 48 h. We also conclude that boreal fires may be an important source of NH 3 in the summertime Arctic.