wAbstract
@Nitrogenous air pollutions including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric acid (HNO3), nitrate
(NO3-), ammonia (NH3),
ammonium (NH4+), and nitrous acid
(HONO) were characterized at an urban forested (UF) site in Hiroshima
and at a suburban forested (SF) site in Fukuoka, western Japan,
using an annular denuder system for 1 year from May 2006 to May
2007 to compare the concentrations and chemical species of atmospheric
nitrogenous pollutants between UF and SF sites. The proximity
of the urban area was reflected in higher NO2
concentrations at the UF site than at the SF site. NO2
was more oxidized at the SF site because it is farther from an
urban area than the UF site, which was reflected in higher concentrations
of NHO3 at the SF site than the UF site.
HNO3 and acidic sulfate is neutralized by
NH3, existing as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and ammonium sulfate
[(NH4)2SO4]
at the UF site. At the SF site, acidic sulfate is neutralized
by NH3, existing as (NH4)2SO4, but NH4NO3, had scarcely formed at the SF site. A much
higher HONO concentration was observed at the UF site than at
the SF site, especially in winter and spring at night, which could
be explained by higher NO2 concentrations
at the UF site because of its proximity to an urban area and stagnant
meteorological conditions. Atmospheric HONO determination was
critical in evaluating the possibility of damage to trees in UF
areas.
Keywords: Nitrogen; Forest ecosystems; Oxidation; Neutralization;
HONOx
1. Introduction
2. Methods
@2.1. Site description
@2.2. Collection of nitrogenous compounds
@2.3. NO2 analysis
@2.4. Chemical analysis and calculation
3. Results and discussion
@3.1. NO2 and its oxidation
@3.2. Chemical form of NO3- particulates
@3.3. Significance of HONO measurements at the UF site
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References