Fenn’s, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem & Cadney Mosses. Atmospheric ammonia monitoring data report for period: Jul 2018 – Dec 2018

Abstract

Three atmospheric ammonia (NH3) measurement sites were established on Fenn’s, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem and Cadney Mosses SSSi in 2018 to monitor NH3 during implementation of Site Nitrogen Action Plan (SNAP), as part of the LIFE project. NH3 data from the three sites for the six monthly measurement periods between July and December 2018 have been analysed and are presented in this report. NH3 data from former NAMN Fenn’s Moss (S52B and S52C) and Wem Moss (S48) sites and from an active NAMN Fenn;s Moss (S52A) site are also included for comparison and to extend the time series. Monitored mean concentrations for the 6 months period from July to Dec 2018 were: MM1 = 2.64 µg NH3 m-3 (1.89 – 3.47 µg NH3 m-3, N = 6) MM2 = 6.15 µg NH3 m-3 (3.09 – 15.5 µg NH3 m-3, N = 6) MM3 = 3.28 µg NH3 m-3 (2.25 – 4.31 µg NH3 m-3, N = 6) By comparison, mean concentration for the UK NAMN site S52A (centre of Fenn’s Moss) over the same period was 3.53 µg NH3 m-3 (1.95 – 5.45 µg NH3 m-3, N = 6). The UNECE Critical Levels of NH3 concentrations of 1 µg NH3 m-3 annual mean for the protection of lichens-bryophytes, relevant for the habitat under study, was exceeded at all sites