Northern Ireland ALPHA® and DELTA® monitoring networks

This series of datasets provides atmospheric measurement data made in Northern Ireland. Together, the locations of the sites in the ALPHA® and DELTA® networks increased spatial coverage, using a stratified approach to cover the range of concentrations and main source sectors across Northern Ireland. The monitoring data are used for model validation and will contribute towards increasing confidence and reducing uncertainty in the modelling methodology used to determine the effect of different policy scenarios on NH3 concentrations. Measurement of the gas and aerosol phase components at the same time will permit monitoring and assessment of the relationship between NH3 and interacting acid gases and inorganic aerosol phase composition. The datasets provide valuable evidence for testing atmospheric transport models and to estimate annual atmospheric budgets of reduced nitrogen (NH3 and NH4+) vs. oxidised nitrogen (sum of HNO3 and NO3-), and also of sulphur for NI.

The networks are operated jointly by Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland