Identifying Ammonia Hotspots in China Using a National Observation Network

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05235
• Publication Date: 2018-03-02T23:05:26Z
• Authors: Yuepeng Pan; Shili Tian; Yuanhong Zhao; Lin Zhang; Xiaying Zhu; Jian Gao; Wei Huang; Yanbo Zhou; Yu Song; Qiang Zhang; Yuesi Wang
• Keywords: Haze; Deposition

The limited availability of ammonia (NH3) measurements is currently a barrier to understanding the vital role NH3 in secondary aerosol formation during haze pollution events and prevents full assessment atmospheric deposition reactive nitrogen. observational gaps motivated us design this study investigate spatial distributions seasonal variations on national scale China. On basis 1-year campaign at 53 sites with uniform protocols, we confirm that abundant concentrations [1 23.9 μg m-3] were identified typical agricultural regions, especially over North China Plain (NCP). pattern surface concentration was generally similar those satellite column as well bottom-up agriculture emission inventory. However, observed urban desert comparable from 2-3 times mountainous/forest/grassland/waterbody sites. We also found fluxes account for only half emissions NCP, suggesting transport downwind areas. This finding provides policy makers insights into potential mitigation nonagricultural sources developed regions.