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AMoN Site Characterization Study: Phase I Field Measurements
Citation:
Walker, Johnt, K. Mishoe, C. Rogers, Z. Wu, T. Macy, M. Puchalski, D. Schwede, K. Hutchison, R. Baumgardner, AND W. Robarge. AMoN Site Characterization Study: Phase I Field Measurements. National Atmospheric Deposition Program 2017 Fall Meeting, San Diego, CA, October 30 - November 03, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Reduced inorganic nitrogen (NH3 + NH4+) is an increasingly important contributor to the total nitrogen deposition budget, yet the contribution from NH3 dry deposition remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for providing the National Atmospheric Deposition Program with estimates of NH3 dry deposition at sites within the National Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN). NH3 fluxes derived from site specific NH3 measurements (AMoN) and surface parameterizations (i.e., compensation points) can provide “best” estimates of NH3 deposition for developing ecosystem specific deposition budgets and assessing sub-grid variability of NH3 fluxes in CTMs.
Description:
Reduced inorganic nitrogen (NH3 + NH4+) is an increasingly important contributor to the total nitrogen deposition budget, yet the bi-directional nature of NH3 air-surface exchange makes incorporation of NH3 measurements into dry deposition schemes in field-scale and regional chemical transport models (i.e. CMAQ) difficult. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for providing NADP with modeled NH3 fluxes using bi-weekly AMoN concentrations. NH3 fluxes derived from site specific NH3 measurements (AMoN) and surface parameterizations (i.e., compensation points) will provide “best” estimates of NH3 deposition for developing ecosystem specific deposition budgets, assessing sub-grid variability of fluxes within CMAQ, and characterizing the impact of bias correcting CMAQ NH3 concentrations on NH3 fluxes. This effort will therefore improve the total nitrogen deposition estimates provided by TDEP, which does not currently use the AMoN NH3 concentrations for deposition estimates. The first phase of the project will focus on measurements while the 2nd phase will focus on evaluation of the bi-directional air-surface exchange model. During Phase I, a database of soil and vegetation chemistry, micrometeorology, and surface physical characteristics will be developed for 3 pilot sites: Chiricahua National Monument, AZ (desert); Bondville, IL (agricultural); and Duke Forest, NC (hardwood forest). These sites were selected based on available data (AMoN, CASTNET, and NADP/NTN), and differences in land-use type, vegetation and soil types, and average ambient NH3 concentrations. Soil, live vegetation, and litter will be collected and analyzed for NH4+ and pH to develop seasonal estimates of surface NH3 emission potentials (Г) from which compensation points will be derived. Biogeochemistry will be combined with on-site meteorology and surface characteristics will be used to calculate net and component fluxes (i.e., foliage versus ground) using a 2-layer bi-directional flux model. Measurements will be used to assess model sensitivities to biogeochemical and meteorological inputs to develop a model suitable for implementation across the entire AMoN network. Field measurements began in the summer of 2017 and will continue through spring 2018. This paper describes the field and laboratory measurement methods that have been designed to capture a robust biogeochemical dataset for the 3 AMoN pilot sites. Aspects of model development and evaluation will also be discussed.