UK Nitrogen and Sulphur Deposition Source Footprints on 5km Grid

UK atmospheric deposition data contains 90 source footprints for nitrogen and sulphur, modelled from 2012 emissions using the FRAME dispersion model on a 5x5 km grid. The dataset splits deposition into wet/dry, oxidised/reduced, and local/long-range components, and provides habitat-specific data for forest, moorland, and grid average land cover types.

Use Cases

• Model source attribution of nitrogen deposition by analyzing the 90 source footprints across the 5x5 km grid.
• Compare wet and dry deposition patterns for sulphur across different habitat types, including forest and moorland.
• Assess the contribution of local versus long-range components to total oxidised nitrogen deposition.
• Analyze spatial patterns of reduced nitrogen deposition specific to semi-natural moorland vegetation.

Strengths

• Contains 90 distinct source footprints for detailed attribution analysis.
• Data is modelled on a high-resolution 5x5 km grid covering the UK.
• Provides habitat-specific deposition data for forest, moorland, and a grid average.

Limitations

• Dataset is based on 2012 emissions data, which may not reflect current atmospheric conditions.
• The FRAME model's assumptions and inputs introduce inherent uncertainties in the deposition estimates.
• No raw observational data is provided for direct validation of the model outputs.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre

Collection Method

Modelled using the FRAME (Fine Resolution Atmospheric Multi-Pollutant Exchange) atmospheric dispersion model.

Time Range

2012

Freshness

Last updated in March 2026, but the underlying emission data is from 2012.

Geography

United Kingdom