Memorias de investigación
Artículos en revistas:
Temporal variation in atmospheric ammonia concentrations above seabird colonies
Año:2008
Áreas de investigación
  • Química,
  • Agricultura
Datos
Descripción
Recent studies have shown that seabirds are an important source of ammonia (NH3) emissions in remote coastal ecosystems. Nesting behaviour, which varies between seabird species, is likely to be a major factor in determining the proportion of excreted nitrogen (N) volatilised to the atmosphere as NH3. A long-term NH3 monitoring programme was implemented at a Scottish seabird colony with a range of species and associated nesting behaviours. The average monthly NH3 concentration was measured at 12 locations over a 14-month period, to infer spatial (i.e. species-specific) and temporal (seasonal) changes in NH3 emissions from different seabird species. An emissions model of seabird NH3, based on species-specific bioenergetics and behaviour, was applied to produce spatial estimates for input to a dispersion model. Atmospheric NH3 concentrations demonstrated spatial variability as a result of differing local populations of breeding seabirds, with the highest concentrations measured above cliff nesting species such as Common guillemot Uria aalge, Razorbill Alca torda and Blacklegged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla. NH3 concentrations above a colony of burrow nesting Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica were low, considering the high number of birds. Emission of NH3 from excreted N exhibits a time lag of approximately a month. It is likely that all excreted N is lost from the colony by volatilisation as NH3 or surface run-off between breeding seasons. Modelled NH3 emissions and concentrations correlated with measured concentrations, but were much higher, reflecting uncertainties in the local turbulent characteristics. The results allow multi-species seabird population data to be used for the calculation of regional and global NH3 emission inventories, whilst improving understanding of N budgets of remote coastal ecosystems.
Internacional
Si
JCR del ISI
Si
Título de la revista
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
ISSN
1352-2310
Factor de impacto JCR
2,549
Información de impacto
Volumen
42
DOI
10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.04.059
Número de revista
29
Desde la página
6942
Hasta la página
6950
Mes
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Participantes
  • Participante: J Bull
  • Participante: L.J. Wilson
  • Participante: PJ Bacon
  • Participante: M.A Sutton
  • Autor: Mark Richard Theobald . UPM
  • Participante: K.C. Hamer
  • Participante: S Wanless
  • Participante: TD Blackall
Grupos de investigación, Departamentos, Centros e Institutos de I+D+i relacionados
  • Creador: Grupo de Investigación: Contaminación de agroecosistemas por las prácticas agrícolas
  • Departamento: Química y Análisis Agrícola