Nitrogen Emission Sources and Deposition
Our research integrates geospatial emissions analysis, atmospheric deposition monitoring, and stable isotope geochemistry to uncover the spatial complexities of nitrogen emission sources and deposition processes across diverse landscapes. By linking NOx emissions from power plants, vehicles, and agricultural sources with regional nitrogen deposition, we have advanced methods that precisely trace nitrogen pathways using innovative passive sampling techniques and stable isotope fingerprinting. These approaches distinguish contributions from fossil fuel combustion, transportation, and biogenic soil emissions, filling critical gaps in nitrogen monitoring and deposition models.
Key findings include the identification of coal-fired power plants as dominant regional nitrogen contributors, the underrecognized role of vehicle NOx in urban and near-road environments, and the substantial nitrogen pollution from Marcellus Shale gas extraction sites. This research informs policy by refining nitrogen budgets, improving air quality assessments, and advocating for expanded monitoring in urban and agricultural landscapes. By addressing both established and emerging nitrogen sources, our work equips policymakers and scientists with actionable insights, presenting exciting opportunities for graduate students and collaborators to tackle global nitrogen challenges.
Representative Publications
Coughlin, J.G., Rose, L.A., Bain, D.J., Elliott, E.M. (2017). The Influence of Marcellus Shale Extraction Emissions on Regionally Monitored Dry Reactive Nitrogen Deposition. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(6), 3542-3549. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b05933
Felix, J.D., Elliott, E.M. (2013). The agricultural history of human-nitrogen interactions as recorded in ice core δ15N-NO3. Geophysical Research Letters, 40(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/grl.50209
Redling, K.M., Elliott, E.M., Bain, D.J., Sherwell, J. (2013). Highway contributions to reactive nitrogen deposition: Tracing the fate of vehicular NOx using stable isotopes and plant biomonitors. Biogeochemistry, 116(1-3), 261-274.
Elliott, E.M., Kendall, C., Boyer, E.W., Burns, D.A., Lear, G.G., Golden, H.E., Harlin, K., Bytnerowicz, A., Butler, T.J., Glatz, R. (2009). Dual nitrate isotopes in dry deposition: Utility for partitioning NOx source contributions to landscape nitrogen deposition. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 114, G04020. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JG000889
Elliott, E.M., Kendall, C., Wankel, S.D., Burns, D.A., Boyer, E.W., Harlin, K., Bain, D.J., Butler, T.J. (2007). Nitrogen isotopes as indicators of NOx source contributions to atmospheric nitrate deposition across the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(23), 7661‐7667.
Elliott, EM, *Yu Z, Cole AS, *Coughlin JG. 2019. Isotopic advances in understanding reactive nitrogen deposition and atmospheric processing. Science of the Total Environment. Special Issue on Reactive Nitrogen Deposition. 662:393-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.177.