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GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L12808, doi:10.1029/2008GL033732, 2008

Environmental impact of atmospheric NH3 emissions under present and future conditions in the eastern United States

R. W. Pinder

Atmospheric Modeling Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA


A. B. Gilliland

Atmospheric Modeling Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA


R. L. Dennis

Atmospheric Modeling Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA


Abstract

Recent regulations require large-scale emission reductions of NOx and SO2 in the eastern United States. These emission changes will alter the partitioning of ammonia between the gas and particle phases. Furthermore, ammonia emissions are expected to increase in the future. How will these changes impact the contribution of ammonia to inorganic particulate matter and nitrogen deposition? We use a chemical transport model and emission scenarios representing years 2001, 2010, and 2020 to estimate the future change of the sensitivity of iPM2.5 to ammonia emission reductions and change in nitrogen deposition to ecosystems. We find that during winter conditions, particulate matter concentrations in several locations in the Midwestern US continue to have significant sensitivity to NH3 emissions. In addition, the total nitrogen deposition near NH3 emission sources increases 10–40%

Received 10 March 2008; accepted 15 May 2008; published 25 June 2008.

Keywords: ammonia; nitrogen deposition; particulate matter.

Index Terms: 0305 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801, 4906); 0315 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Biosphere/atmosphere interactions (0426, 1610); 0345 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pollution: urban and regional (0305, 0478, 4251); 9350 Geographic Location: North America.

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Citation: Pinder, R. W., A. B. Gilliland, and R. L. Dennis (2008), Environmental impact of atmospheric NH3 emissions under present and future conditions in the eastern United States, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L12808, doi:10.1029/2008GL033732.