Articles | Volume 25, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11935-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11935-2025
Research article
 | 
02 Oct 2025
Research article |  | 02 Oct 2025

Tracing ammonia emission sources in California's Salton Sea region: insights from airborne longwave-infrared hyperspectral imaging and ground monitoring

Sina Hasheminassab, David M. Tratt, Olga V. Kalashnikova, Clement S. Chang, Morad Alvarez, Kerry N. Buckland, Michael J. Garay, Francesca M. Hopkins, Eric R. Keim, Le Kuai, Yaning Miao, Payam Pakbin, William C. Porter, and Mohammad H. Sowlat

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Cited articles

Adams, P. M., Lynch, D. K., Buckland, K. N., Johnson, P. D., and Tratt, D. M.: Sulfate mineralogy of fumaroles in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, Imperial County, California, J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res., 347, 15–43, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.08.010, 2017. 
Beaudor, M., Hauglustaine, D., Lathière, J., Van Damme, M., Clarisse, L., and Vuichard, N.: Evaluating present-day and future impacts of agricultural ammonia emissions on atmospheric chemistry and climate, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2017–2046, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2017-2025, 2025. 
Bi, J., Stowell, J., Seto, E. Y. W., English, P. B., Al-Hamdan, M. Z., Kinney, P. L., Freedman, F. R., and Liu, Y.: Contribution of low-cost sensor measurements to the prediction of PM2.5 levels: A case study in Imperial County, California, USA, Environ. Res., 180, 108810, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108810, 2020. 
Buckland, K. N., Young, S. J., Keim, E. R., Johnson, B. R., Johnson, P. D., and Tratt, D. M.: Tracking and quantification of gaseous chemical plumes from anthropogenic emission sources within the Los Angeles Basin, Remote Sens. Environ., 201, 275–296, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.09.012, 2017. 
Burns, A. M., Chandler, G., Dunham, K. J., and Carlton, A. G.: Data Gap: Air Quality Networks Miss Air Pollution from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, Environ. Sci. Technol., 57, 20718–20725, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c06947, 2023. 
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Short summary
Ammonia (NH3) is a key air pollutant linked to fine particle pollution, yet its sources remain poorly understood. Using airborne infrared imaging and ground sensors, we mapped NH3 emissions in California’s Salton Sea region with unprecedented detail. We found high emissions from farms, geothermal plants, and waste sites, including sources missing from inventories. These findings highlight the need for better NH3 monitoring to improve air quality models and guide pollution reduction strategies.
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