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@ARTICLE{Kelsch:1041280,
author = {Kelsch, Alexander and Claß, Matthias and Brüggemann,
Nicolas},
title = {{A}ccuracy and sensitivity of {NH} 3 measurements using the
{D}räger {T}ube method},
journal = {Atmospheric measurement techniques},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
issn = {1867-1381},
address = {Katlenburg-Lindau},
publisher = {Copernicus},
reportid = {FZJ-2025-02206},
pages = {1519 - 1535},
year = {2025},
abstract = {Regional estimates of ammonia (NH3) emissions are often
missing data from heterogeneous or small fields. Areas with
no experienced staff or in-field power supply also prevent
the use of accurate and fully established
micrometeorological measurement techniques. The Dräger Tube
method (DTM) is a calibrated open and dynamic chamber
method, which requires little training to use and is
relatively inexpensive. It uses NH3 detector tubes (Dräger
Tubes), an automatic pump, and a chamber system comprised of
four stainless-steel chambers connected with PTFE tubing.
Even though the DTM is often used in countries such as
Germany and China, the detection accuracy, precision and
sensitivity have not been tested yet. In order to quantify
those for the DTM, we simultaneously measured defined NH3
mixing ratios with the Dräger Tubes, with quantum cascade
laser spectroscopy (QCLS) (MGA7, MIRO Analytical AG,
Switzerland) and with cavity ring-down spectroscopy (G2103,
Picarro, Inc., USA). Second, we tested the effects of
exchanging the tubing material and heating the tubing under
laboratory conditions, as well as PTFE film attachments or
wiping of the DTM chamber system with ethanol during outdoor
measurements, on performance improvements. Results showed
that the Dräger Tubes had a detection limit between 150 and
200 ppb, which is 3 to 4 times higher than originally
assumed. Dräger Tube concentration measurements also
underestimated NH3 concentrations by $43 \%$ to $100 \%$
for mixing ratios between 50 and 300 ppb and by $28 \%$
to $46 \%$ for mixing ratios between 500 and 1500 ppb.
The PTFE tubing material showed similar performance to the
polyester–polyurethane tubing material regarding response
time, which was further improved by heating the tubing to
50 °C. The modifications to the chamber surface and
cleaning in the outdoor experiment did not lead to any
improvements to the NH3 concentration measurements. The
results suggest that the DTM should only be used where
alternatives are unfeasible and high NH3 emissions are to be
expected. Further assessment of calibrated DTM using
reference methods is required for a comprehensive
evaluation, and alternative developments for a more
appropriate method replacing the DTM in small-plot
applications is encouraged.},
cin = {IBG-3},
ddc = {550},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)IBG-3-20101118},
pnm = {2173 - Agro-biogeosystems: controls, feedbacks and impact
(POF4-217)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-2173},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)16},
UT = {WOS:001455554500001},
doi = {10.5194/amt-18-1519-2025},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1041280},
}