The National Atmospheric Deposition Program’s Ammonia Monitoring Network (NADP/AMoN)
Oral Presentation
Prepared by C. Lehmann1, G. Beachley2, M. Puchalski2, J. Walker3, S. Anderson1, D. Gay1
1 - National Atmospheric Deposition Program, 2204 Griffith Dr., Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
2 - Clean Air Markets Division, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, MC 6204M, Washington, DC, 20460, United States
3 - National Risk Management Research, U.S. EPA, Mail Drop E305-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 217-265-8512
ABSTRACT
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program/Ammonia Monitoring Network (NADP/AMoN) was established in October 2007 to provide a consistent, long-term record of ambient ammonia gas (NH3) concentrations. The AMoN current operates 91 active stations in the continental U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The purpose of AMoN is to provide land managers, air quality modelers, ecologists, and policymakers critical data to: assess the long-term trends in ambient NH3 concentrations and deposition of reduced nitrogen species; validate atmospheric models; better estimate total nitrogen inputs to ecosystems; assess changes in atmospheric chemistry due to sulfur and nitrogen dioxide reductions; and assess compliance with fine particulate (PM2.5) standards. The AMoN uses passive-type samplers deployed over 2 week periods at a standardized height (~2m). Triplicate samples and travel blanks are deployed randomly a part of field quality assurance. Concentrations measured from AMoN samplers are also compared to reference denuders and other passive samplers at the Bondville, IL NADP field station. Additional laboratory quality assurance methods include method, preparation and reagent blanks. Further information about AMoN methods is available at http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/AMoN.
This presentation provides general recommendations of “good practices” for use of passive samplers for routine ambient measurements. There is a need to better quantify the uncertainty of AMoN measurements (e.g., precision and bias) to gain an understanding of systematic and random error in sample handling, laboratory analysis, and ambient heterogeneity. This presentation provides a statistical evaluation of the AMoN data set, quantifying the error and uncertainty introduced in sampling (i.e., preparation, field handling, and laboratory analysis). The AMoN is currently quantifying the spatial variability of measurements through spatially-dense measurements at Coweeta, NC; Ft. Collins, CO; and Bondville, IL. These spatial measurements are intended to quantify the regional representativeness (e.g., radius of influence) of individual AMoN measurements under a variety of topographic and climatic conditions.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by C. Lehmann1, G. Beachley2, M. Puchalski2, J. Walker3, S. Anderson1, D. Gay1
1 - National Atmospheric Deposition Program, 2204 Griffith Dr., Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
2 - Clean Air Markets Division, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, MC 6204M, Washington, DC, 20460, United States
3 - National Risk Management Research, U.S. EPA, Mail Drop E305-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 217-265-8512
ABSTRACT
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program/Ammonia Monitoring Network (NADP/AMoN) was established in October 2007 to provide a consistent, long-term record of ambient ammonia gas (NH3) concentrations. The AMoN current operates 91 active stations in the continental U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The purpose of AMoN is to provide land managers, air quality modelers, ecologists, and policymakers critical data to: assess the long-term trends in ambient NH3 concentrations and deposition of reduced nitrogen species; validate atmospheric models; better estimate total nitrogen inputs to ecosystems; assess changes in atmospheric chemistry due to sulfur and nitrogen dioxide reductions; and assess compliance with fine particulate (PM2.5) standards. The AMoN uses passive-type samplers deployed over 2 week periods at a standardized height (~2m). Triplicate samples and travel blanks are deployed randomly a part of field quality assurance. Concentrations measured from AMoN samplers are also compared to reference denuders and other passive samplers at the Bondville, IL NADP field station. Additional laboratory quality assurance methods include method, preparation and reagent blanks. Further information about AMoN methods is available at http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/AMoN.
This presentation provides general recommendations of “good practices” for use of passive samplers for routine ambient measurements. There is a need to better quantify the uncertainty of AMoN measurements (e.g., precision and bias) to gain an understanding of systematic and random error in sample handling, laboratory analysis, and ambient heterogeneity. This presentation provides a statistical evaluation of the AMoN data set, quantifying the error and uncertainty introduced in sampling (i.e., preparation, field handling, and laboratory analysis). The AMoN is currently quantifying the spatial variability of measurements through spatially-dense measurements at Coweeta, NC; Ft. Collins, CO; and Bondville, IL. These spatial measurements are intended to quantify the regional representativeness (e.g., radius of influence) of individual AMoN measurements under a variety of topographic and climatic conditions.
