Trend and Interannual Variations of Reactive Nitrogen Deposition in China During 2008–2017 and the Roles of Anthropogenic Emissions and Meteorological Conditions

Abstract

AbstractAbundant emissions have made China as one of the hotpots of atmospheric reactive nitrogen (Nr) deposition over the world. Here we conducted multi‐year simulation and explored the trend and interannual variations (IAVs) of China's Nr deposition for different forms (wet and dry) and species (oxidized and reduced nitrogen, OXN and RDN) during 2008–2017. Sensitivity analysis scenarios were applied to evaluate the roles of anthropogenic emissions and meteorological conditions on the changing deposition. The annual mean Nr deposition was simulated at 15.7 ± 0.9 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for China. Attributed mainly to the changing OXN, the trend in Nr deposition over the 10‐year period showed an inverted “V” pattern, reflecting the benefit of nation actions on NOX emissions controls. The standard deviation ellipse analysis suggested a clear interannual shift of spatial distribution of Nr deposition to the southwest during 2013–2017. Based on the mean absolute deviation (MAD) and absolute percent departure from the mean obtained in different simulation scenarios, the IAVs of Nr deposition were found to be driven mainly by the changing meteorological conditions, and the correlation coefficient between MADs of Nr deposition and precipitation reached 0.47. Relative to meteorological factor, the changing emissions could explain 61%–83% of 10‐year trend of Nr deposition for the concerned regions, thus were identified as the main driver of the trend. The changing meteorological conditions played a more important role on shaping the IAVs of Nr deposition, with the relative contributions estimated at 60% for the concerned regions.