What can we learn from observations about the trend in reactive nitrogen emissions?
Abstract
Reactive nitrogen include compounds that are chemically, biologically, or radiatively active. Two important constituents are oxidized nitrogen (NOx), emitted largely from combustion, and ammonia (NH3), emitted largely from agriculture. A series of studies, including emission measurements and ambient observations, indicate NOx emissions in the US have decreased substantially over recent years. However, the trend in ammonia is not clear. This talk will focus on how we can use in situ and remote-sensing observations, as well as chemical transport models and inverse-modeling techniques to (1) improve our understanding of spatial and temporal emissions, (2) quantify the contribution from anthropogenic and natural sources, and (3) identify trends to determine progress toward regulatory goals. Finally, this talk will conclude with suggestions for how to incorporate the extensive findings from top-down emission inventory analysis into the regulatory decision-making process.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFM.A51D..05P
- Keywords:
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- 0365 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Troposphere: composition and chemistry