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Increased atmospheric ammonia over the world's major agricultural areas detected from space
Author(s) -
Warner J. X.,
Dickerson R. R.,
Wei Z.,
Strow L. L.,
Wang Y.,
Liang Q.
Publication year - 2017
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 - 10.1002/2016gl072305
Subject(s) - environmental science , fertilizer , ammonia , agriculture , atmospheric sciences , environmental chemistry , aerosol , animal husbandry , atmospheric chemistry , meteorology , chemistry , geography , ozone , archaeology , organic chemistry , geology
This study provides evidence of substantial increases in atmospheric ammonia (NH 3 ) concentrations (14 year) over several of the worlds major agricultural regions, using recently available retrievals from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) aboard NASA's Aqua satellite. The main sources of atmospheric NH 3 are farming and animal husbandry involving reactive nitrogen ultimately derived from fertilizer use; rates of emission are also sensitive to climate change. Significant increasing trends are seen over the U.S. (2.61% yr −1 ), the European Union (EU) (1.83% yr −1 ), and China (2.27% yr −1 ). Over the EU, the trend results from decreased scavenging by acid aerosols. Over the U.S., the increase results from a combination of decreased chemical loss and increased soil temperatures. Over China, decreased chemical loss, increasing temperatures, and increased fertilizer use all play a role. Over South Asia, increased NH 3 emissions are masked by increased SO 2 and NO x emissions, leading to increased aerosol loading and adverse health effects.