Adding Ammonia/um Measurements to Routine Monitoring Networks?

One important consequence of ammonia emissions and concentrations in the atmosphere is their critical role in the formation and modification of secondary aerosols. Particle-phase ammonium is one of the most important constituents of fine particles (PM-2.5) and gaseous ammonia is a key aerosol precursor, yet the emissions, atmospheric chemistry, ambient air concentrations, effects on human health, visibility and radiation budgets and implications for alternative control strategies remain poorly characterized. This presentation will consider the question of adding ammonium and/or ammonia measurements to routine monitoring networks by providing several examples illustrating the value that such measurement can provide, or have provided when included in aerosol measurement programs. At the same time several cautionary issues or questions are raised regarding appropriate methods for conducting such measurements on a routine network basis.