The role of ammonia on particulate matter pollution over Portugal
by Helena Martins; Alexandra Monteiro; J. Ferreira; C. Gama; Isabel Ribeiro; Carlos Borrego; A.I. Miranda
International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP), Vol. 57, No. 3/4, 2015

Abstract: Ammonia is widely present in the atmosphere owing to a variety of anthropogenic sources, playing a vital role in aerosol nucleation events. Despite its negative impacts on human health, NH₃ is not regulated under the existing European Air Quality legislation. The analysis of the National Emission Inventory prepared annually by the Portuguese Environmental Agency indicates that total NH₃ emissions have decreased more than 20% since 1990. Agricultural activities are the major contributors, followed by industrial activities over specific locations, waste treatment and road traffic. In order to examine the effects of NH₃ on air quality over Portugal, particularly on PM2.5 concentrations, model simulations were performed using the WRF-CAMx modelling system. Two periods with distinct meteorological situations were selected to analyse the importance of the dry and wet deposition phenomena. A source apportionment analysis was performed in order to allow the estimation of the contribution and origin of each anthropogenic source to PM concentrations, with focus on NH₃ contribution to PM2.5 concentrations. Despite being a relatively small source of NH₃ emissions when compared to agriculture, the air quality modelling results indicate that the influence of the industrial activities in urban areas, where it can have a major contribution to local ammonium nitrate formation, is higher.

Online publication date: Tue, 02-Feb-2016

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