Publication Date:
2016-07-24
Description:
We report the first long-term measurements of ammonia (NH 3 ) in the high Arctic. Enhancements of the total columns of NH 3 , carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and ethane (C 2 H 6 ), were detected in July and August 2014 at Eureka, Nunavut and Toronto, Ontario. Enhancements were attributed to fires in the Northwest Territories using the FLEXPART Lagrangian dispersion model and the MODIS Fire Hotspot dataset. Emission estimates are reported as average emission factors for HCN (0.62 ± 0.34 g kg −1 ), C 2 H 6 (1.50 ± 0.75 g kg −1 ) and NH 3 (1.40 ± 0.72 g kg −1 ). Observations of NH 3 at both sites demonstrate long-range transport of NH 3 , with an estimated NH 3 lifetime of 48 hrs. We also conclude that boreal fires may be an important source of NH 3 in the summertime Arctic.
Print ISSN:
0094-8276
Electronic ISSN:
1944-8007
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
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