Title
Ammonia Volatilization in a Mexican Bat Cave Ecosystem
Document Type
Article
Department
Biology (CMC), WM Keck Science (CMC), Biology (Pitzer), WM Keck Science (Pitzer), Biology (Scripps), WM Keck Science (Scripps), WM Keck Science
Publication Date
1995
Abstract
Direct measurements of gaseous ammonia in the atmosphere of a dry bat cave containing several million insectivorous bats revealed a peak concentration of 1779 ppm (0.96 mg/dm3). Observations indicate that the origin of the gaseous ammonia is rapid microbial decomposition of bat urea, not chitinous guano. Modelling of ammonia distribution and diffusion indicates that ammonia production at the Cueva del Tigre is ∼257 g NH3/day, equivalent to the decomposition of ∼454 g urea/day. Ammonia production is also characterized by significant isotopic fractionation favoring isotopically light (δ15N depleted) ammonia.
Terms of Use & License Information
DOI
10.1007/BF02181037
Recommended Citation
McFarlane, D.A., Keeler, R.C., and Mizutani, H. (1995). "Ammonia volatization in a Mexican bat cave ecosystem." Biogeochemistry, 30 1-8.
