ANICA

(Atmospheric Nutrient Input to Coastal Areas)

THE ISSUE:

Atmospheric inputs of nitrates, primarily from automobile exhaust and power plant emissions, are important but poorly understood sources of pollutants entering estuaries and coastal waters.

 

THE APPROACH:

ANICA combines monitoring and modelling to quantify the contribution of atmospheric nitrate to coastal areas, and to estimate the impacts of increased nitrogen oxide emissions. The program is initially focusing on the Chesapeake Bay, assessing the contribution of wet and dry deposition, and developing models of atmospheric deposition that can be applied to other coastal areas. Atmospheric studies will also be linked to terrestrial studies, such as the retention capacity of soils. NOAA works with the many agencies studying nutrient inputs to the Bay in order to complement ongoing research efforts.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

Initiated in FY91, ANICA organized a series of workshops to focus on atmospheric modeling needs. Accomplishments and activities include: assembling a database on wet deposition; measuring atmospheric nitrogen fluxes to a single calibrated catchment area within the Chesapeake Bay watershed; conducting dry deposition studies at two Bay sites; completing initial analyses to identify source regions and estimate total deposition; synthesizing existing atmospheric deposition information for the Bay in order to make it available for the development of control strategies; and completing a first assessment of areal wet deposition and its probability distribution for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These activities have increased the awareness of the nitrogen air deposition to such a level that NOAA now co-chairs the inter-State/agency Air Subcommittee of the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Decision Analysis Series #9

Last Updated: August 22, 2001
Comments to coastalocean@noaa.gov