Basic biogenic aerosol precursors: Agricultural source attribution of volatile amines revised

Kuhn, U.; Ammann, C.; Spirig, C.; Neftel, A.; Jocher, M.; Sintermann, J.

doi:10.1029/2011GL047958

Journal Article

Basic biogenic aerosol precursors: Agricultural source attribution of volatile amines revised

Kuhn, U.FZJ* ; Sintermann, J. ; Spirig, C. ; Jocher, M. ; Ammann, C. ; Neftel, A.

2011
American Geophysical Union Washington, DC

Geophysical research letters 38, L16811 (2011) [10.1029/2011GL047958]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/20840 doi:10.1029/2011GL047958

Abstract: Despite recent evidence on an important role of volatile amines in the nucleation of particulate matter, very scarce information is available on their atmospheric abundance and source distribution. Previous measurements in animal housings had identified livestock husbandry as the main amine source, with trimethylamine (TMA) being the key component. This has led to the assumption that the agricultural sources for amines are similar as for ammonia, emitted throughout the cascade of animal excretion, storage and application in the field. In this study, we present the first micrometeorological flux measurements as well as dynamic enclosure experiments showing that the amine source strength from stored slurry is negligible, implying significant consequences for the global amine emission inventory. In the case of cattle, amine production is attributed to the animal's rumination activity and exhalation is suggested to be an important emission pathway, similar to the greenhouse gas methane. Fodder like hay and silage also emits volatile amines, potentially assigning these alkaloid compounds a key function in enhancing particle formation in remote areas. Citation: Kuhn, U., J. Sintermann, C. Spirig, M. Jocher, C. Ammann, and A. Neftel (2011), Basic biogenic aerosol precursors: Agricultural source attribution of volatile amines revised, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L16811, doi:10.1029/2011GL047958.

Keyword(s): J

Classification:

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Note: The research leading to these results has received funding from the EU 7th Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement PIEF-GA-2008-220842), the Swiss National Science Foundation (TERMS, 200021-117686/1) and the EU project NitroEurope (contract 017841) that is funded under the EC 6th Framework Program for Research and Technological Development.

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