A database of atmospheric nitrogen concentration and deposition from the nationwide monitoring network in China

Abstract

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has increased substantially across China since 1980; however, data for N deposition fluxes since the 2000s has been very limited. Understanding and mitigating the impacts of N deposition requires long-term quantification of dry as well as wet deposition of key reactive nitrogen (Nr) species. Here we present a dataset for inorganic N concentrations and deposition for the period 2010–2015 in China, compiled from the nationwide deposition monitoring network. The dataset comprises information from 32 monitoring sites on concentrations and bulk deposition (wet plus part of dry deposition) fluxes of NH4+-N and NO3−-N, air concentrations and dry deposition fluxes of the major Nr species NH3, NO2, HNO3, and particulate NH4+ and NO3−. This unique database is available inter alia to advance understanding of the spatial patterns of inorganic N concentrations and deposition in China and its associated effects, constrain primary Nr (e.g., NH3, NOx) emission inventories, and validate outputs of atmospheric chemistry and transport models.