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Significant contributions of combustion-related sources to ammonia emissions

Author

Listed:
  • Zhi-Li Chen

    (Tianjin University)

  • Wei Song

    (Tianjin University)

  • Chao-Chen Hu

    (Tianjin University)

  • Xue-Jun Liu

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Guan-Yi Chen

    (Tianjin University)

  • Wendell W. Walters

    (Brown University)

  • Greg Michalski

    (Purdue University)

  • Cong-Qiang Liu

    (Tianjin University)

  • David Fowler

    (Bush Estate)

  • Xue-Yan Liu

    (Tianjin University)

Abstract

Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) can substantially influence air quality, ecosystems, and climate. NH3 volatilization from fertilizers and wastes (v-NH3) has long been assumed to be the primary NH3 source, but the contribution of combustion-related NH3 (c-NH3, mainly fossil fuels and biomass burning) remains unconstrained. Here, we collated nitrogen isotopes of atmospheric NH3 and NH4+ and established a robust method to differentiate v-NH3 and c-NH3. We found that the relative contribution of the c-NH3 in the total NH3 emissions reached up to 40 ± 21% (6.6 ± 3.4 Tg N yr−1), 49 ± 16% (2.8 ± 0.9 Tg N yr−1), and 44 ± 19% (2.8 ± 1.3 Tg N yr−1) in East Asia, North America, and Europe, respectively, though its fractions and amounts in these regions generally decreased over the past decades. Given its importance, c-NH3 emission should be considered in making emission inventories, dispersion modeling, mitigation strategies, budgeting deposition fluxes, and evaluating the ecological effects of atmospheric NH3 loading.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhi-Li Chen & Wei Song & Chao-Chen Hu & Xue-Jun Liu & Guan-Yi Chen & Wendell W. Walters & Greg Michalski & Cong-Qiang Liu & David Fowler & Xue-Yan Liu, 2022. "Significant contributions of combustion-related sources to ammonia emissions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35381-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35381-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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