Apparent deposition velocity and compensation point of ammonia inferred from gradient measurements above and through alfalfa

Abstract

Understanding the cycling of ammonia between croplands and the atmosphere is of importance to agriculturalists and atmospheric scientists. Flux densities of gaseous ammonia (NH 3), particulate ammonium (NH 4 +), and total ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) were measured using an aerodynamic method above an alfalfa ( Medicago sativa, L.) canopy between April and July 1981 at a rural location in central New York State. In air not influenced by local sources, NH 3 and NH 4 + averaged 1.5 and 3.0 ppb, respectively, at 1 m above the crop. Ambient NH 4 + varied consistently with synoptic air masses, being lowest (2.3 ppb) for NW and highest (6.4 ppb) for SW flows. Concentrations and gradients of both species were higher during periods of hay harvest. Gradients of NH 3 were much steeper than those of NH 4 + within the alfalfa canopy, but NH 4 + contributed appreciably (36% on average) to above-canopy AN gradients. Alfalfa's NH 3 compensation point was estimated by combining concentration and gradient data with transport resistances. Gaseous gradients indicated a compensation point of 2 ppb, lower than previously published estimates. Conversion of NH 3 to NH 4 + within the canopy air could have reduced NH 3 gradients and caused a low estimate of the compensation point. Acidic aerosols, by keeping NH 3 levels low, may compete with plants for NH 3. Future studies of ammonia exchange should distinguish between NH 3 and NH 4 + if flux densities are to be related to ambient conditions. Total AN level is a poor predictor of soil-plant-atmosphere ammonia exchange since high AN was frequently associated with low NH 3, and NH 3 is more surface reactive than NH 4 +.