Ballynahone Bog SAC wind data analysis January 2019 to December 2019

Local prevailing wind patterns play a key role in atmospheric nitrogen (N) input to designated sites, in terms of local ammonia (NH3) concentrations and N deposition originating from local, regional and transboundary sources. The aim of this study was to investigate local wind patterns and their temporal variability with locally measured weather data, and to analyse these data in conjunction with NH3 measurements on and around Ballynahone Bog SAC. Wind direction data can provide a valuable insight into inferring the sources of high ammonia concentrations measured at a site, and with recent months of relatively complete wind data from Ballynahone Bog, we are able to make links between the ammonia concentrations and wind direction. Continued parallel monitoring of wind direction and NH3 concentrations at the site will be useful to capture a whole cycle of relevant emission sources and events throughout a year, including more diffuse sources, such as landspreading, across the wider area during the spring months. With neither of the two other local met stations entirely suitable as a proxy for wind direction at Ballynahone Bog, having a reliable source of met data on site would be key to ensure accurate interpretation of concentration data.