Spatiotemporal ammonia (HN3) emission and source detection in Brandenburg Germany

Abstract

Ammonia (NH₃) is a highly reactive gas with impacts on environmental aspects such as air quality, visibility, climate change, acid deposition, and eutrophication. Major global sources of NH₃ emissions are from agriculture, urban activities, and wildfires. NH₃ serves as a vital precursor to secondary aerosol particle formation, eventually transforming into ammonium (NH₄⁺) within the atmosphere.

This study is centered in Brandenburg, Germany, examining land cover classifications and NH₃emissions using satellite-based Earth observation methods. These techniques encompass monitoring both spatial and temporal variations in ground surface sources and the total column of NH₃ emissions. Additionally, NH₃ emissions are detected in the atmosphere using the Meteorological Operation Satellite (MetOp-B) with the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). A detailed Land Cover Classification map at 10 m resolution is employed. Furthermore, the study utilizes MODIS Aqua/Terra data to collect information on active fires. The results of this research illustrate the comprehensive analysis of land cover classifications and NH₃ emission patterns in Brandenburg. The annual mean NH₃emissions from 2013 to 2022 reveal consistent values, with noticeable increases observed during specific years in northern Brandenburg. The annual distribution of fire spots, as recorded by MODIS Aqua/Terra, highlights potential correlations between fire incidents and ammonia emissions. Notably, boxplot time series data present an intriguing pattern where nighttime NH₃ concentrations consistently surpass daytime levels. In the future, this study aims to employ a multiplatform approach integrating satellite and ground-based observations of aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the atmosphere, with a specific focus on the presence of NH₃.