Mapping ammonia risk on sensitive habitats in Ireland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide a simple, cost-effective, risk-based map of terrestrial areas in Ireland where environmental quality may be at risk from atmospheric ammonia. This risk-based approach identifies Natura 2000 sites in Ireland at risk from agricultural atmospheric ammonia, collating best available data using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). In mapping ammonia risk on sensitive habitats (MARSH), the method identifies sources of ammonia, classifying them on a scale of risk from 0-5. These sources are subsequently summed based on a weighting determined by their contribution to national emissions divided by their potentially impacted area. A Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.72 allows for concentrations from United Kingdom's FRAME modelling to be applied to the MARSH model, which are corrected based on recent monitoring. Applying Designation Weighted Indicators (DWI), the MARSH model predicts that 80.7, 34.3 and 5.9% of Natura 2000 sites in Ireland may exceed ambient concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 µg/m 3 , respectively. A Nitroindex map of Ireland based on available lichen records was also developed and is presented as part of this study. This Nitroindex was used to identify areas where impacts have already been recorded, thus informing the classification of sites "at-risk". The combination of both the MARSH and Nitroindex models ascertains which Natura 2000 sites are most at risk, thereby providing valuable data to relevant authorities. The MARSH model acts as a first step towards screening and assessing Natura 2000 sites most at risk from atmospheric ammonia, providing a tool to demonstrate compliance with the National Emissions Ceilings Directive.

Modeling the Sources and Transport Processes During Extreme Ammonia Episodes in the U.S. Corn Belt

“…A recent study in Ireland defined five different health risk categories associated with varying NH 3 concentrations. The most serious health risk is associated with NH 3 mixing ratios in excess of 4 μg/m 3 (~5.3 ppb; Kelleghan et al, ). Thus, ground‐level NH 3 mixing ratios for our domain 3 frequently (336 hr, 48% of this month) exceeded this threshold in November 2017 when using the derived NEI 2017 inventory.…”

Ammonia emission factors from cattle production systems in Ireland – a review

“…The MARSH model also identified 80.7% and 5.9% of Natura 2000 sites in the ROI may exceed critical levels of 1 μg/m 3 (i.e. habitats where lichens and moss are important features) and 3 μg/m 3 (all other habitats), respectively (Kelleghan et al, 2019). The European Union (EU) has set limits for national emissions of NH 3 under the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NECD) 2016/2284.…”

Ammonia Cycling and Emerging Inorganic Secondary Aerosols from Arable Agriculture

“…While fertilizer application accounts for the least of the atmospheric NH 3 emitted, it is also the least researched area in Ireland in terms of emissions. Emission and deposition vary both spatially and temporally, resulting in emission "hot spots" correlating to areas with a high density of agricultural activity [3]. Additional emissions of NH 3 associated with agriculture include fertilizer production and biomass burning.…”

“…In the atmosphere, NH 3 will also be converted to ammonium (NH 4 + ), which also undergoes the deposition processes mentioned above. From an environmental perspective, elevated concentrations of NH 3 can lead to deleterious impacts, including the formation of secondary aerosols, biodiversity losses, and eutrophication [3]. These impacts also have ramifications for human health, including premature mortality, decreased lung functionality, and increased cardiovascular problems [8].…”