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

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,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2011-08, Vol.38 (16), p.n/a
Main Authors: Kuhn, U., Sintermann, J., Spirig, C., Jocher, M., Ammann, C., Neftel, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aerosol
Agriculture
Air pollution
Amines
ammonia
Animal husbandry
Atmosphere
Atmospheric aerosols
Atmospheric sciences
biogenic amines
Biosphere
Cattle
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Emission inventories
Exact sciences and technology
Farm buildings
Fodder
Geobiology
Greenhouse gases
Hay
Livestock
particle nucleation
Particulate matter
Silage
Slurries
Systems science
trimethylamine
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Summary: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. Key Points Assumptions on the main global amine sources are challanged by true measurements Cattle amine production is attributed to rumination acitivity Vegetation in senescent state (hay, silage) is an important global amine source
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2011GL047958