Ammonia in the atmosphere: a review on emission sources, atmospheric chemistry and deposition on terrestrial bodies

Abstract

Gaseous ammonia (NH3) is the most abundant alkaline gas in the atmosphere. In addition, it is a major component of total reactive nitrogen. The largest source of NH3 emissions is agriculture, including animal husbandry and NH3-based fertilizer applications. Other sources of NH3 include industrial processes, vehicular emissions and volatilization from soils and oceans. Recent studies have indicated that NH3 emissions have been increasing over the last few decades on a global scale. This is a concern because NH3 plays a significant role in the formation of atmospheric particulate matter, visibility degradation and atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to sensitive ecosystems. Thus, the increase in NH3 emissions negatively influences environmental and public health as well as climate change. For these reasons, it is important to have a clear understanding of the sources, deposition and atmospheric behaviour of NH3. Over the last two decades, a number of research papers have addressed pertinent issues related to NH3 emissions into the atmosphere at global, regional and local scales. This review article integrates the knowledge available on atmospheric NH3 from the literature in a systematic manner, describes the environmental implications of unabated NH3 emissions and provides a scientific basis for developing effective control strategies for NH3.

The composition, spatial patterns, and influencing factors of atmospheric wet nitrogen deposition in Chinese terrestrial ecosystems

“…Cities emit large amounts of pollutants and atmospheric transportation provides a means for pollutants to migrate and transform (Aneja et al, 2001;Behera et al, 2013;Holland et al, 2005). Most observational sites in this study were located in natural ecosystems, and therefore provided a good opportunity to explore the sources and the diffusive distances of atmospheric N deposition, using the relationship between N deposition and the distance from the observation site to the provincial capital.…”

Variation of Urban Atmospheric Ammonia Pollution and its Relation with PM2.5 Chemical Property in Winter of Beijing, China

“…As a dominant base species in ambient air, NH 3 plays a significant role in atmospheric chemistry. Besides its close relationship with particulate formation in air, however, NH 3 also has distinct impacts on the soil acidification and eutrophication of ecosystems (Behera et al, 2013a).…”

A pilot study of gaseous pollutants' measurement (NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, HNO<sub>3</sub> and O<sub>3</sub>) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: contribution to an overview of gaseous pollution in African cities

“…The main source of NH 3 emissions is biomass burning including biofuel combustion, agriculture, animal husbandry, NH 3 -based fertilizer, industrial processes and vehicular emission (Paulot et al, 2017;Whitburn et al, 2015;Behera et al, 2013;Akagi et al, 2011). In urban areas, domestic fires, traffic and industrial activity are generally considered as major sources of NH 3 (Sun et al, 2017;Teng et al, 2017;Perrino et al, 2002;Sapek, 2013;Sutton et al, 2000;Whitehead et al, 2007).…”