Occurrence of gas phase ammonia in the area of Beijing (China)

The atmospheric concentrations of gaseous ammonia have been measured during two field campaigns in the winter and in the summer of 2007 at Beijing (China). These measurements were carried out by means of diffusion annular denuders coated with phosphorous acid. The results were discussed from the standpoint of temporal and diurnal variations and meteorological effects. The daily average NH3 concentrations were in the range of 0.20-44.38 mu g/m(3) and showed regular temporal variations with higher concentrations during summer and with lower during winter. The temporal trends seemed to be largely affected by air temperature because of agricultural sources. No diurnal variability was observed for gaseous NH3 levels in both winter and summer seasons. The highest ammonia value of 105.67 mu g/m(3) was measured in the early morning during the summer period when stable atmospheric conditions occurred. The diurnal winter and summer trends of ammonia showed a weak dependence on the air temperature and they were affected nearly by wind direction suggesting regional and local source influences. Ammonia was also correlated with the atmospheric mixing in the boundary layer, and, with NOx, CO and PM2.5 air concentrations supporting the hypothesis that the traffic may be also an important source of ammonia in Beijing.