The Spatial Distribution of Ammonia Emitted from Seabirds and its Contribution to Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition in the UK

Abstract

Simple bioenergetics models were used to derive annual nitrogen excretion rates of each seabird species occurring at colonies in the UK. These were combined with population distribution data and an estimated fraction of nitrogen volatilized to estimate the spatial distribution of NH 3 emissions from seabird colonies at a 1 km resolution. The effect of these emissions on atmospheric NH 3 concentrations and nitrogen deposition in the UK was assessed using the FRAME atmospheric chemistry and transport model. The total emission of NH 3 from the UK seabird colonies is estimated at 2.7 kt yr −1 . Emissions from seabirds are largely concentrated in remote parts of Britain, where agricultural and other anthropogenic emissions are minimal. Although seabirds account for less than 1% of total UK NH 3 emissions (∼370 kt yr −1 ), their occurrence in remote areas and frequently large colony sizes results in seabirds providing a major fraction of the atmospheric nitrogen deposition for many remote ecosystems.

Application of tracer ratio and inverse dispersion methods with boat-based plume measurements to estimate ammonia emissions from seabird colonies

“…The amounts of nitrogen excreted by seabirds on the colonies were estimated using the method of Wilson et al (2004), based on seabird biology and population data. The amount of N excreted over the 30-day period prior to the measurements was used to estimate the total colony excretion available for volatilisation.…”

“…The amounts of NH 3 -N volatilized are compared with the estimated amount of N excreted to estimate the fraction of N that is volatilised. The results provide the basis to model the regional distribution of ammonia emissions from seabirds (Wilson et al, 2004).…”

Application of Tracer Ratio and Inverse Dispersion Methods with Boat-Based Plume Measurements to Estimate Ammonia Emissions from Seabird Colonies

“…Allaway and Ashford, 1984;Cocks et al, 1999;Stapp et al, 1999). The results provide the basis to model the regional distribution of ammonia emissions from seabirds (Wilson et al, 2004). Lindeboom, 1984;Erskine et al, 1998).…”

Atmospheric concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen dioxide at a tropical coral cay with high seabird density

“…[1][2][3][4] Coral cays, small islands formed within the reef flat from biogenic sediment, are highly productive ecosystems enriched in bird-derived nutrients, despite their occurrence in low nutrient ocean waters. 5 Nutrient deposition by seabirds via excretive waste has been studied on seabird islands, [6][7][8][9][10] penguin rookeries 11,12 and gull rookeries. 12 Estimates of N deposition from guano in seabird-impacted ecosystems range from 24 to 52 200 kg N ha À1 y À1 .…”

“…12 Estimates of N deposition from guano in seabird-impacted ecosystems range from 24 to 52 200 kg N ha À1 y À1 . 8,9,11 Heron Island receives up to 1000 kg N ha À1 y À1 at rookery sites 13 and the total annual N input from seabird to the island was estimated to be 9710 kg of N. 14 While the presence of seabirds can result in high nutrient levels on reef islands and cays, few studies have examined possible nutrient transfer from terrestrial to aquatic systems. It is difficult to estimate how much N derived from guano may be transferred from Heron Island to reef waters because N concentrations in reef waters are overall very low and affected by tidal movement.…”