Atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) emanations from Lake Natron's saline mudflats.

ABSTRACT: In a recent global analysis of satellite-derived atmospheric NH₃ data, a hotspot was observed in the vicinity of Lake Natron, Tanzania. The lake is in the centre of an endorheic (limited drainage) basin and has shallow, saline-alkaline waters. Its remote location and the absence of nearby large anthropogenic sources suggest that the observed NH₃ is mainly of natural origin. Here we explore 10 years of IASI NH₃ satellite data and other publicly available datasets over the area to characterize the natural NH₃ emissions in this unique ecosystem. Temporal analysis reveals that the emissions are episodic and linked with the lake's surface area. The largest NH₃ column loadings generally occur at the end of the dry season in September-Novembe

SUBMITTER: Clarisse L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6418304 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature