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Nitrous Oxide Flux Estimates for South-Eastern Australia

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Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes for south-easternAustralia have been estimated using a combination ofthe in situ N2O and radon (Rn) measurementsmade at the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station,in north-west Tasmania. The average N2O fluxesfrom the south-eastern mainland of Australia and fromTasmania over the nine years of record analysed (1985–1993) have beenfound to be 130 ± 30 kgN km-2yr-1 and 160 ± 45 kgN km-2yr-1respectively. These fluxes are larger than expectedand a significant dependence of the flux on rainfallis observed, with greater fluxes in the spring (October–December) andduring periods of positive SouthernOscillation Index. A large flux (1,300 ± 500kgN km-2 yr-1) from a nearby island (KingIsland) was also estimated from the data record,indicating a strong source, although the small size ofthe island means that it is not a significant sourcefor Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    S. R. WILSON

  2. Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, Bureau of Meteorology, Smithton, Tasmania, 7330, Australia

    A. L. DICK

  3. Division of Atmospheric Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Private Bag 1, Aspendale, Victoria, 3195, Australia

    P. J. FRASER

  4. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Private Mail Bag 1, Menai, NSW, 2234, Australia

    S. WHITTLESTONE

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  1. S. R. WILSON
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  3. P. J. FRASER
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  4. S. WHITTLESTONE
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WILSON, S.R., DICK, A.L., FRASER, P.J. et al. Nitrous Oxide Flux Estimates for South-Eastern Australia. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 26, 169–188 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005828617711

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