Nitrate Mass Research Articles

Major Source Contributions to Ambient PM2.5 and Exposures within the New South Wales Greater Metropolitan Region

The coupled Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model (CCAM) and Chemical Transport Model (CTM) (CCAM-CTM) was undertaken with eleven emission scenarios segregated from the 2008 New South Wales Greater Metropolitan Region (NSW GMR) Air Emission Inventory to predict major source contributions to ambient PM2.5 and exposure in the NSW GMR. Model results illustrate that populated areas in the NSW GMR are characterised with annual average PM2.5 of 6–7 µg/m3, while natural sources including biogenic emissions, sea salt and wind-blown dust contribute 2–4 µg/m3 to it. Summer and winter regional average PM2.5 ranges from 5.2–6.1 µg/m3 and 3.7–7.7 µg/m3 across Sydney East, Sydney Northwest, Sydney Southwest, Illawarra and Newcastle regions. Secondary inorganic aerosols (particulate nitrate, sulphate and ammonium) and sodium account for up to 23% and 18% of total PM2.5 mass in both summer and winter. The increase in elemental carbon (EC) mass from summer to winter is found across all regions but particularly remarkable in the Sydney East region. Among human-made sources, “wood heaters” is the first or second major source contributing to total PM2.5 and EC mass across Sydney in winter. “On-road mobile vehicles” is the top contributor to EC mass across regions, and it also has significant contributions to total PM2.5 mass, particulate nitrate and sulphate mass in the Sydney East region. “Power stations” is identified to be the third major contributor to the summer total PM2.5 mass across regions, and the first or second contributor to sulphate and ammonium mass in both summer and winter. “Non-road diesel and marine” plays a relatively important role in EC mass across regions except Illawarra. “Industry” is identified to be the first or second major contributor to sulphate and ammonium mass, and the second or third major contributor to total PM2.5 mass across regions. By multiplying modelled predictions with Australian Bureau of Statistics 1-km resolution gridded population data, the natural and human-made sources are found to contribute 60% (3.55 µg/m3) and 40% (2.41 µg/m3) to the population-weighted annual average PM2.5 (5.96 µg/m3). Major source groups “wood heaters”, “industry”, “on-road motor vehicles”, “power stations” and “non-road diesel and marine” accounts for 31%, 26%, 19%, 17% and 6% of the total human-made sources contribution, respectively. The results in this study enhance the quantitative understanding of major source contributions to ambient PM2.5 and its major chemical components. A greater understanding of the contribution of the major sources to PM2.5 exposures is the basis for air quality management interventions aiming to deliver improved public health outcomes.

Performance Evaluation of Multiple Groundwater Flow and Nitrate Mass Transport Numerical Models

Benchmarking of different numerical models simulating groundwater flow and contaminant mass transport is the aim of the present study, in order to determine criteria for the selection of numerical model(s) that could be better tailored to the needs of a specific region. This analysis aims at evaluating the performance of a finite difference-based numerical model (MODFLOW-ΜΤ3DMS), a finite element-based numerical model (FEFLOW), and a hybrid finite element-finite difference coupling numerical model (Princeton Transport Code-PTC), all developed to simulate groundwater flow and nitrate mass transport in an alluvial aquifer. The evaluation of the models’ performance is assessed based on statistical measures and graphical performance analysis of the model point predictions to the observed values. The outcome of the analysis showed that among the three groundwater simulation models, FEFLOW algorithm exhibited the best performance in simulating both groundwater level and nitrate mass distribution. All simulation algorithms were found to offer different advantages, so in principle the selection of the appropriate model(s) should be done in accordance with the problem’s characteristics and/ or in a complementary way in order to achieve accurate representation of the aquifer system and thus optimal groundwater resources management. Even though the selection of the most suitable groundwater simulation algorithm is case-oriented, however, fractional gross error (FGE) was proven to be a reliable indicator that could be used by modelers to select the most suitable groundwater algorithm based on the available groundwater data.

Determination of elevated levels of nitrate in vegetable powders by high-precision isotope dilution GC–MS

A high-precision isotope dilution GC–MS method was employed for the determination of nitrate in processed vegetables. The samples were extracted in water, derivatized with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate and analyzed by headspace GC–MS (15 samples/h). The method was applied to estimate the effect of drying on the content of nitrate in vegetables. The absolute amount of nitrate in a spinach sample before and after drying did not change even when the material was baked at 105 °C. Elevated levels of nitrate were found in commercial vegetable powders where the nitrate mass fraction exceed the percent level: 1.2–2.3% NO3− was found in spinach powders, 1.3–1.6% in kale powders, and 1.4% in a beetroot powder. The likely reduction of the antioxidant properties seen in vegetable powders along with their high nitrate content suggest the need to study the risk of endogenous N-nitrosation associated with these products.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Core-shell Material Using YBa2Cu3O7-d and Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles

In this paper we describe the synthesis of a core-shell material using yttrium superconducting ceramic material (YBCO) and cobalt ferrite nanoparticles in order to obtain a nanostructured material with magnetic properties. The advantages of such material aim the selective deposition of nanofilms oriented in magnetic fields. To obtain this core-shell material, the solutions of the nitrates were first obtained by dissolving the salts in demineralised water. The suspension with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles was obtained by co-precipitation method. To obtain YBa2Cu3O7-�- coated magnetic nanoparticles by autocombustion reaction the solutions of nitrates and citric acid were used. The ratio of the metal ions: Y:Ba:Cu was 1:2:3, and between the oxidant and the reducing agent was used a citrate / nitrate mass ratio equal with 0.7. The final material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electronic scanning microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).

Air pollutant source characterization using the revised regional haze tracking metric and a photochemical grid model and implications for regional haze planning

ABSTRACTThe 2017 revisions to the Regional Haze Rule clarify that visibility progress at Class I national parks and wilderness areas should be tracked on days with the highest anthropogenic contributions to haze (impairment). We compare the natural and anthropogenic contributions to haze in the western United States in 2011 estimated using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended method and using model projections from the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) and the Particulate Source Apportionment Tool (PSAT). We do so because these two methods will be used by states to demonstrate visibility progress by 2028. If the two methods assume different natural and anthropogenic contributions, the projected benefits of reducing U.S. anthropogenic emissions will differ. The EPA method assumes that episodic elevated carbonaceous aerosols greater than an annual 95th percentile threshold are natural events. For western U.S. IMPROVE monitoring sites reviewed in this paper, CAMx-PSAT confirms these episodes are impacted by carbon from wildfire or prescribed fire events. The EPA method assumes that most of the ammonium sulfate is anthropogenic in origin. At most western sites CAMx-PSAT apportions more of the ammonium sulfate on the most impaired days to global boundary conditions and anthropogenic Canadian, Mexican, and offshore shipping emissions than to U.S. anthropogenic sources. For ammonium nitrate and coarse mass, CAMx-PSAT apportions greater contributions to U.S. anthropogenic sources than the EPA method assigns to total anthropogenic contributions. We conclude that for western IMPROVE sites, the EPA method is effective in selecting days that are likely to be impacted by anthropogenic emissions and that CAMx-PSAT is an effective approach to estimate U.S. source contributions. Improved inventories, particularly international and natural emissions, and further evaluation of global and regional model performance and PSAT attribution methods are recommended to increase confidence in modeled source characterization.Implications: The western states intend to use the CAMx model to project visibility progress by 2028. Modeled visibility response to changes in U.S. anthropogenic emissions may be less than estimated using the EPA assumptions based on total U.S. and international anthropogenic contributions to visibility impairment. Additional model improvements are needed to better account for contributions to haze from natural and international emissions in current and future modeling years. These improvements will allow more direct comparison of model and EPA estimates of natural and anthropogenic contributions to haze and future visibility progress.

Reactive Transport of Manure‐Derived Nitrogen in the Vadose Zone: Consideration of Macropore Connectivity to Subsurface Receptors

Core Ideas Manure N transformation was modeled with different soil pore connectivities to tile drains. Macropores facilitated NH4+ oxidation reaction products deeper in the profile. Nitrate losses to tile were best predicted by models using pores connected to tile drains. Macropores can be important conduits for surface‐derived nutrients to reach subsurface receptors. Accordingly, nutrient reactive transport processes in macroporous soils need to be well understood. In this study, steady‐state two‐dimensional reactive transport simulations with MIN3P‐THCm (version 1.0.519.0) were used to elucidate how soil macropore connectivity to tile drains can influence N transformations following liquid swine manure (LSM) applications to soil. Four different soil scenarios were considered: homogeneous sand, homogeneous clay loam, and clay loam with discrete macropores connected to or disconnected from the bottom boundary used to represent tile drain outflow. In relation to the homogeneous soils, macropores, overall, facilitated chemical diffusion into the adjacent soil matrix along their length and broadly augmented O2 ingress into the soil profile. These processes combined to critically control the spatial distribution of NH4+ oxidation reaction products. When used in transient simulation mode with field data observed at experimental tile‐drained plots that received LSM application, the model showed that simulated nitrate mass losses to tile are considerably higher and most realistic under the connected macropore scenario compared with the homogeneous or disconnected macropore scenarios.

Vertical Profiles of Aerosol Composition over Beijing, China: Analysis of In Situ Aircraft Measurements

AbstractAerosol samples were collected over Beijing, China, during several flights in November 2011. Aerosol composition of nonrefractory submicron particles (NR-PM1) was measured by an Aerodyne compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (C-ToF-AMS). This measurement on the aircraft provided vertical distribution of aerosol species over Beijing, including sulfate (SO4), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), chloride (Chl), and organic aerosols [OA; hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA) and oxygenated OA (OOA)]. The observations showed that aerosol compositions varied drastically with altitude, especially near the top of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). On average, organics (34%) and nitrate (32%) were dominant components in the PBL, followed by ammonium (15%), sulfate (14%), and chloride (4%); in the free troposphere (FT), sulfate (34%) and organics (28%) were dominant components, followed by ammonium (20%), nitrate (19%), and chloride (1%). The dominant OA species was primarily HOA in the PBL but changed to OOA in the FT. For sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium, the sulfate mass fraction increased from the PBL to the FT, nitrate mass fraction decreased, and ammonium remained relatively constant. Analysis of the sulfate-to-nitrate molar ratio further indicated that this ratio was usually less than one in the FT but larger than one in the PBL. Further analysis revealed that the vertical aerosol composition profiles were influenced by complex processes, including PBL structure, regional transportation, emission variation, and the aging process of aerosols and gaseous precursors during vertical diffusion.

Dynamics and Runoff Losses of Nitrogen in Paddy Field Surface Water Under Combined Application of Biochar and Slow/Controlled-Release Fertilizer

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of four fertilization treatments, that is, controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), biochar combined with controlled-release fertilizer (BC+ CRF), biochar combined with stabilized fertilizer (BC+ SF), and biochar combined with controlled-release fertilizer and stabilized fertilizer (BC+ CRF+ SF), on the dynamics of the pH and nitrogen mass concentration and runoff losses of nitrogen in paddy field surface water in the Taihu Lake Basin. The results show that the average pH of the surface water decreases by 3.16%-4.48% for BC+ CRF+ SF and is in the range of 5.64-8.15. The average total nitrogen (TN) mass concentration of surface water ranges from 19.05 to 25.23 mg·L-1. A significant decrease of 4.75%-6.58% in the TN mass concentration of surface water was observed for BC+ CRF+ SF. The average ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3--N) mass concentration of the surface water vary from 0.01-17.26 mg·L-1 and from 0.24-3.11 mg·L-1, respectively. Inorganic nitrogen is dominated by NH4+-N in surface water. Compared with individual CRF, other treatments significantly reduce the NH4+-N mass concentration of surface water by 35.89%-48.78% and the NO3--N mass concentration of surface water by 20.54%-37.01%. The BC+ SF combination shows a significant reduction in the NH4+-N and NO3--N mass concentration of the surface water, which greatly lowers the risk of inorganic nitrogen loss via runoff. The runoff losses of TN, NH4+-N, and NO3--N are in the range of 16.24-18.09, 1.76-2.22 and 0.76-1.38 kg·hm-2, respectively. Compared with the individual CRF, the runoff loss of TN, NH4+-N, and NO3--N of other treatments is reduced. The BC+ CRF+ SF combination shows a significant reduction in the runoff losses of nitrogen, which greatly lowers the risk of nitrogen nonpoint source pollution from paddy fields.

Airborne and ground-based observations of ammonium-nitrate-dominated aerosols in a shallow boundary layer during intense winter pollution episodes in northern Utah

Abstract. Airborne and ground-based measurements of aerosol concentrations, chemical composition, and gas-phase precursors were obtained in three valleys in northern Utah (USA). The measurements were part of the Utah Winter Fine Particulate Study (UWFPS) that took place in January–February 2017. Total aerosol mass concentrations of PM1 were measured from a Twin Otter aircraft, with an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). PM1 concentrations ranged from less than 2 µg m−3 during clean periods to over 100 µg m−3 during the most polluted episodes, consistent with PM2.5 total mass concentrations measured concurrently at ground sites. Across the entire region, increases in total aerosol mass above ∼2 µg m−3 were associated with increases in the ammonium nitrate mass fraction, clearly indicating that the highest aerosol mass loadings in the region were predominantly attributable to an increase in ammonium nitrate. The chemical composition was regionally homogenous for total aerosol mass concentrations above 17.5 µg m−3, with 74±5 % (average ± standard deviation) ammonium nitrate, 18±3 % organic material, 6±3 % ammonium sulfate, and 2±2 % ammonium chloride. Vertical profiles of aerosol mass and volume in the region showed variable concentrations with height in the polluted boundary layer. Higher average mass concentrations were observed within the first few hundred meters above ground level in all three valleys during pollution episodes. Gas-phase measurements of nitric acid (HNO3) and ammonia (NH3) during the pollution episodes revealed that in the Cache and Utah valleys, partitioning of inorganic semi-volatiles to the aerosol phase was usually limited by the amount of gas-phase nitric acid, with NH3 being in excess. The inorganic species were compared with the ISORROPIA thermodynamic model. Total inorganic aerosol mass concentrations were calculated for various decreases in total nitrate and total ammonium. For pollution episodes, our simulations of a 50 % decrease in total nitrate lead to a 46±3 % decrease in total PM1 mass. A simulated 50 % decrease in total ammonium leads to a 36±17 % µg m−3 decrease in total PM1 mass, over the entire area of the study. Despite some differences among locations, our results showed a higher sensitivity to decreasing nitric acid concentrations and the importance of ammonia at the lowest total nitrate conditions. In the Salt Lake Valley, both HNO3 and NH3 concentrations controlled aerosol formation.

Impact of precursor gases and meteorological variables on satellite-estimated near-surface sulfate and nitrate concentrations over the North China Plain

Previous studies exploring the impact of precursor emissions and meteorological variables on PM2.5 concentrations were typically conducted over a short period and in urban environments. In this analysis, near-surface sulfate and nitrate mass concentrations at a 10-km resolution over the North China Plain (NCP) from 2006 to 2014 were first obtained based on satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) data and the global 3D chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) in combination with vertical profiles from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO). Using ground-based PM2.5 component concentrations, our satellite-based model yielded correlation coefficients (r) of 0.72 for sulfate and 0.70 for nitrate. Second, the spatiotemporal patterns of the chemical composition and corresponding precursor gases collected from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) during the study period were analyzed. The highest levels of nitrate (∼30 μg/m3) and sulfate (∼25 μg/m3) were concentrated in Hebei, Shandong, Henan and Beijing, and the monthly variations of nitrate and NO2 presented a strong correlation coefficient (0.67). Inter-annual changes of nitrate and NO2 exhibited increasing trends of 1.43%/yr and 1.60%/yr, respectively. In contrast, sulfate and SO2 decreased at rates of 3.5%/yr and 0.76%/yr, respectively, and presented a negative correlation (−0.54). Third, the relationships between the components or precursor gases and relative humidity (RH), planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), temperature (TEM) and wind speed (WS) were compared. The results showed that high levels of NO2 were usually accompanied by stable atmospheric conditions (i.e., low TEM, shallow PBLH, low RH and mild WS). Moreover, the nitrate concentration was often dependent on NO2, and they showed similar characteristics with meteorological factors. PBLH and WS had the greatest influence on nitrate concentrations, whereas the effects of RH and WS varied seasonally. Under beneficial conditions, i.e., high TEM, RH and PBLH and low WS, SO2 rapidly converted to sulfate and fluctuated inversely with the sulfate concentration. Overall, high nitrate levels were primarily associated with anthropogenic causes (i.e., extensive emissions), whereas meteorological conditions have a greater effect on the formation of sulfate concentrations than emissions.

Controlled sequential biocathodic denitrification for contaminated groundwater bioremediation

Nitrate groundwater contamination is a worldwide concern. In this study, a novel 2-stage, sequential biocathodic denitrification system was tested to perform autotrophic denitrification of synthetic groundwater. The system was operated at different nitrate loading rates (66–301 gNO3−-N m−3NCC d−1) at constant NO3−-N concentration (40 mgNO3−-N L−1), by varying hydraulic retention time (HRT) during different trials from about 14 to 3 h. The system was able to achieve almost complete removal of nitrate (>95%) and Total Nitrogen (TN) (>92%) at NO3− loading rates between 66 and 200 gNO3−-N m−3NCC d−1. The first stage reactor achieved lower values of effluent nitrate and nitrite than WHO guidelines for drinking water quality (<11.3 mg NO3−-N L−1, and 0.9 mgNO2−-N L−1, respectively) up to a nitrate loading rate of 167 gNO3−-N m−3NCC d−1; in these conditions the second stage acted mainly as polishing step. From a loading rate of 200 gNO3−-N m−3NCC d−1 on, N2O accumulation was observed in the first stage reactor, afterwards successfully removed in the second stage. Maximum nitrate removal rate of the 2-step process was 259.83 gNO3−-N m−3NCC at HRT of 3.19 h. The specific energy consumption of the system (SEC) decreased with decreasing HRT, both in terms of mass of nitrate removed (SECN) and volume treated (SECV). The described combination of two bioelectrochemical systems system hence proved to be effective for groundwater denitrification.

Water and nitrate exchange between a managed river and peri-urban floodplain aquifer: Quantification and management implications

The management of rivers for navigation, hydropower and flood risk reduction involves the installation of in-channel structures. These influence river levels and can affect groundwater flow within hydraulically-connected riparian floodplain aquifers. A comprehensively monitored, peri-urban, lowland river floodplain in the southern United Kingdom was used to explore these dependencies and to examine the implications for the flux exchange of water and nitrate between the river and the floodplain alluvial aquifer. The study demonstrated that rivers maintained at high levels by management structures, result in raised groundwater levels in the adjacent aquifer and complex groundwater flow patterns. Engineered river management structures were shown to promote flow from river to aquifer through the river bed but the majority of the associated nitrate was removed in the hyporheic zone. High-nitrate groundwater recharge to the alluvial aquifer also occurred through overbank flood flows. Across the floodplain, substantial denitrification occurred due to anaerobic conditions resulting from carbon-rich sediments and the shallow water table, the latter linked to the river management structures. An upper limit on the total annual mass of nitrate removed from river water entering the floodplain aquifer was estimated for the study site (2.9 × 104 kg), which was three orders of magnitude lower than the estimate of annual in-channel nitrate flux (1.8 × 107 kg). However, this capacity of lowland floodplains to reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations has local benefits, for example for private and public water supplies sourced from alluvial aquifers. The insights from the study also have relevance for those considering schemes that include the installation, removal or redesign of river management structures, as the resultant change in groundwater levels may have consequences for floodplain meadows and the nutrient status of the aquatic system.

Wintertime nitrate formation during haze days in the Guanzhong basin, China: A case study

In this study, the formation of nitrate aerosol from 16 to 24 December 2015 in the Guanzhong basin, China is simulated using the WRF-Chem model. The predicted near-surface O3, NO2, and fine particulate matters (PM2.5) in the basin and inorganic aerosols and nitrous acid (HONO) in Xi'an are generally in good agreement with the observations. Sensitivity studies show that the heterogeneous HONO sources play an appreciable role in the nitrate formation in the basin, contributing 9.2% of nitrate mass concentrations during heavy haze days. Nitrate formation is also affected by sulfate due to their competition for ammonia, particularly in urban areas. A 50% decrease in SO2 emissions enhances the nitrate concentration by 6.2% during heavy haze days on average in the basin, and a 50% increase in SO2 emission reduces the nitrate concentration by 9.7%. The roles of HONO and sulfate competition in nitrate formation are strongly modulated by ammonia. Agricultural emissions predominate the nitrate level in the basin (93.5%), but the non-agricultural sources cannot substantially influence nitrate formation (3.7%–14.6%). Reducing agricultural emission is an effective control strategy to mitigate nitrate pollution in the basin.

Analysis of Hypoxia and Sensitivity to Nutrient Pollution in Salish Sea

AbstractIncreasing levels of nutrients, persistent hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, and increased frequency of fish kills are degrading the ecological health of the Salish Sea. An improved version of a diagnostic hydrodynamic and biogeochemical model (nutrients, phytoplankton, carbon, dissolved oxygen, and pH) of the Salish Sea has been developed with the ability to simulate characteristic circulation and water quality features. Sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the responsiveness of the system to land‐based (rivers and wastewater sources) nutrient loading. The influence of Fraser River on the magnitude of estuarine exchange with the Pacific Ocean and nearshore habitat was examined given that it contributes nearly half of the total freshwater discharged to the Salish Sea. A large region of hypoxia in Hood Canal that extends over 30–40 km during its peak was reproduced and attributed primarily to the existence of a two‐layer classic fjord‐type circulation and a nearly stagnant deep bottom layer that occupies nearly 60% of the water column. Nitrate mass in the euphotic zone from land‐based and oceanic sources is depleted to near‐zero limiting levels during summer. Under such conditions, the Salish Sea is responsive to changes in nutrient loads entering the euphotic zone directly. A hypothetical scenario involving the elimination of land‐based nutrient sources results in notable water‐quality improvement, featuring a reduction in algal biomass (≈5.4%), reduction in sediment oxygen demand (≈17.1%), and significant reduction in hypoxic area (≈39%) and exposure in area‐days to bottom layer hypoxia (≈62%) within the Salish Sea.

Investigation of ambient aerosol effective density with and without using a catalytic stripper

Size-resolved effective densities of ambient aerosols in Riverside, CA were determined over 4 periods during 2015–2016. A DMA-CPMA-CPC technique was used to measure effective density for particles with selected diameters of 50, 70, 101 and 152 nm. A catalytic stripper (CS) was used alternately to remove the volatile fraction of aerosol before density measurements. Aerosol non-refractory composition measurement was conducted in June 2016 campaign to understand the effect of chemical composition on particle density. The average densities for particles over all the measurement campaigns over BP mode (i.e. bypassing the CS) were 1.17 g/cm3 at 50 nm and 1.25–1.28 g/cm3 at 70, 101 and 152 nm. The average density after CS conditioning (CS mode) showed a decreasing trend from 1.22 g/cm3 to 1.04 g/cm3, with increase in the selected size, and a mass fractal dimension (Df) of 2.85. Both the BP and CS mode particles showed the lowest effective density at 6–9 am and highest density at 11 a.m.-3 pm. The diurnal variation of density for both modes became more intensive as particle size increased. The variation was also more intense for the CS mode compared to the BP mode. Organic aerosol and ammonium nitrate mass in the size range of density measurements correlated well positively (R2 = 0.78) and negatively (R2 = 0.62), respectively with BP mode effective density. The study provides an update to the aerosol density profiles of a well-known receptor site (Riverside, CA) and investigates the transformation of particles in different seasons. The effective density profiles will be used in a follow-up study to better estimate the respiratory-deposited ambient aerosol mass.

Observational evidence of cloud processes contributing to daytime elevated nitrate in an urban atmosphere

Nitrate has become the most important hydrophilic chemical component in PM2.5 during serious air pollution periods in urban areas of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of south China, but there is a lack of fully understanding of its formation mechanisms and controlling factors, especially during daytime nitrate episodes. To fill the knowledge gap, water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.5 and trace gases including SO2, HNO3, NH3, NOx and O3, particle size distribution, vertical profile of aerosol backscatter density, and ground-level and vertical profiles of key meteorological variables were simultaneously measured at high time resolution in urban Guangzhou of the PRD. The remarkably enhanced nitrate mass concentrations observed at the surface-level during daytime were identified to be caused by strong boundary-layer turbulent mixing of residual aerosols produced from evaporation of low-level shallow stratocumulus clouds. This finding may have important implications on the sources of secondary inorganic aerosols in this and other similar cloudy regions.

Groundwater nitrate pollution and climate change: learnings from a water balance-based analysis of several aquifers in a western Mediterranean region (Catalonia)

Climate change will affect the dynamics of the hydrogeological systems and their water resources quality; in particular nitrate, which is herein taken as a paradigmatic pollutant to illustrate the effects of climate change on groundwater quality. Based on climatic predictions of temperature and precipitation for the horizon of 2021 and 2050, as well as on land use distribution, water balances are recalculated for the hydrological basins of distinct aquifer systems in a western Mediterranean region as Catalonia (NE Spain) in order to determine the reduction of available water resources. Besides the fact that climate change will represent a decrease of water availability, we qualitatively discuss the modifications that will result from the future climatic scenarios and their impact on nitrate pollution according to the geological setting of the selected aquifers. Climate effects in groundwater quality are described according to hydrological, environmental, socio-economic, and political concerns. Water reduction stands as a major issue that will control stream-aquifer interactions and subsurface recharge, leading to a general modification of nitrate in groundwater as dilution varies. A nitrate mass balance model provides a gross estimation of potential nitrate evolution in these aquifers, and it points out that the control of the fertilizer load will be crucial to achieve adequate nitrate content in groundwater. Reclaimed wastewater stands as local reliable resource, yet its amount will only satisfy a fraction of the loss of available resources due to climate change. Finally, an integrated management perspective is necessary to avoid unplanned actions from private initiatives that will jeopardize the achievement of sustainable water resources exploitation under distinct hydrological scenarios.

Nutrient flux estimates in a tidal basin: A case study of Magdalena lagoon, Mexican Pacific coast

Bahia Magdalena (BM), known for its high primary productivity, is one of the largest tidal lagoons on the Mexican Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula. BM is located in an area of active coastal upwelling and significant tides with a maximum range of about 2.4 m. Dissolved inorganic nutrients upwelled from the depths are transported by tidal water exchange into the lagoon, contributing to its fertilisation. To estimate the magnitude and mechanisms driving the tidal exchange of water and nutrients, field observations of the nutrient content were made in the inlet area and on the adjacent shelf during March 2003, December 2004 and June, August and November 2005. In March 2003, the research vessel El Puma carried out a complete hydrological study of the area using Seabird-19 CTD profiler. At the same time, a current meter with a tide gauge was installed in the BM inlet, and multiple measurements of currents were made on a section across the inlet with a SonTek hull-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Field studies were complemented by numerical experiments with the hydrodynamic model ECOM 3D. Analysis of the currents in the inlet area, deriving from both the ADCP data and the numerical simulation, indicates that the water volume transported during a semidiurnal tidal cycle through the inlet varied from 0.3 km3 for neap tide to 0.82 km3 for spring tide. Net nitrate mass intakes to the lagoon deriving from currents in the mouth can be estimated as 7.0 × 103 kg for neap tides and 20.0 × 103 kg for spring tides, and the maximum phosphate contribution was estimated at 2.5 × 103 kg and 8.5 × 103 kg, respectively. Taking into account that fluvial contribution in the lagoon is practically absent, unexpanded mangroves are distributed mainly at its northern part, and organic sediment decomposition is potentially evaluated as low, we can thus conclude that the coupled effect of upwelling and tidal currents play an important role in fertilising the BM. Naturally, this mechanism works only in periods of upwelling activity, namely, from March to June, and to a lesser extent from September to October.

Growth Response, Mineral Nutrition, and Water Utilization of Container-grown Woody Ornamentals Grown in Biochar-amended Pine Bark

Container-grown nursery crops generally require daily irrigation applications and potentially more frequent applications during the hottest part of the growing season. Developing management practices that make more efficient use of irrigation water is important for improving the sustainability of nursery crop production. Biochar, a byproduct of pyrolysis, can potentially increase the water-holding capacity and reduce water and nutrient leaching. In addition, the development of sensor-based irrigation technologies has made monitoring substrate moisture a practical tool for irrigation management in the nursery industry. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of switchgrass biochar on water and nutrient-holding capacity and release in container substrates of Buxus sempervirens L. × Buxus microphylla (‘Green Velvet’ boxwood) and Hydrangea paniculata (Pinky Winky® hardy hydrangea). Containers were filled with pine bark and amended with 0%, 10%, or 25% volume of biochar. Plants were irrigated when the volumetric water content (VWC) reached the water-buffering capacity set point of 0.25 cm3·cm−3. The sensor-based irrigation in combination with the low cost biochar substrate amendment increased substrate water-holding capacity and reduced irrigation requirements for the production of hydrangea, a high water use plant. Biochar application rate influenced irrigation frequency, which likely affected plant biomass for hydrangea, but boxwood dry weight was unaffected by biochar rate. Total irrigation applied was decreased by 32% in 10% biochar treatment without reducing hydrangea dry weight. However, in the 25% biochar treatment, total irrigation applied was reduced by 72%, whereas dry weight decreased by 50%. Biochar application reduced leaching volume and leaching fraction in both plants. Leachate analysis over the course of the 8-week experiment showed that the average mass of phosphate (PO4), potassium (K), and total carbon was greater in the leachate from containers that received 25% biochar compared with those receiving 0% or 10% biochar for both plant species. For hydrangea, mass of total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate (NO3) in leachate was not significantly affected by increasing the biochar rate. However, for boxwood, the mass of NO3 and TN was greater in the 25% biochar treatment leachate, whereas the mass of ammonium (NH4) was unaffected. In hydrangea, total nutrients lost from the containers was lower in biochar-amended containers (both 10% and 25% biochar) because of receiving a lower total volume of water. Amendment with biochar also affected concentration of phosphorus (P) and K, with the highest concentration in both leaf tissue and substrate from the 25% biochar application rate.

A parameterization of the heterogeneous hydrolysis of N&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;O&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;5&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; for mass-based aerosol models: improvement of particulate nitrate prediction

Abstract. The heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5 on the surface of deliquescent aerosol leads to HNO3 formation and acts as a major sink of NOx in the atmosphere during night-time. The reaction constant of this heterogeneous hydrolysis is determined by temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), aerosol particle composition, and the surface area concentration (S). However, these parameters were not comprehensively considered in the parameterization of the heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5 in previous mass-based 3-D aerosol modelling studies. In this investigation, we propose a sophisticated parameterization (NewN2O5) of N2O5 heterogeneous hydrolysis with respect to T, RH, aerosol particle compositions, and S based on laboratory experiments. We evaluated closure between NewN2O5 and a state-of-the-art parameterization based on a sectional aerosol treatment. The comparison showed a good linear relationship (R = 0.91) between these two parameterizations. NewN2O5 was incorporated into a 3-D fully online coupled model, COSMO–MUSCAT, with the mass-based aerosol treatment. As a case study, we used the data from the HOPE Melpitz campaign (10–25 September 2013) to validate model performance. Here, we investigated the improvement of nitrate prediction over western and central Europe. The modelled particulate nitrate mass concentrations ([NO3−]) were validated by filter measurements over Germany (Neuglobsow, Schmücke, Zingst, and Melpitz). The modelled [NO3−] was significantly overestimated for this period by a factor of 5–19, with the corrected NH3 emissions (reduced by 50 %) and the original parameterization of N2O5 heterogeneous hydrolysis. The NewN2O5 significantly reduces the overestimation of [NO3−] by ∼ 35 %. Particularly, the overestimation factor was reduced to approximately 1.4 in our case study (12, 17–18 and 25 September 2013) when [NO3−] was dominated by local chemical formations. In our case, the suppression of organic coating was negligible over western and central Europe, with an influence on [NO3−] of less than 2 % on average and 20 % at the most significant moment. To obtain a significant impact of the organic coating effect, N2O5, SOA, and NH3 need to be present when RH is high and T is low. However, those conditions were rarely fulfilled simultaneously over western and central Europe. Hence, the organic coating effect on the reaction probability of N2O5 may not be as significant as expected over western and central Europe.