Gases in the marine boundary layer in Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica
were sampled and analyzed for the first time. Sampling sites included area
s covered by moss and lichen growth, penguin colonies and an area where sci
entific research stations are located. A total of 211 samples were analyzed
for N2O concentrations, with an average of (321.33+/-3.07) nL/L. This is a
bove the global average value of 314 nL/L. it is found that the N2O concent
rations evidently increase during the summer months. Concentrations around
the research stations are higher than at remote areas, indicating a potenti
al source from human activities on the island, N2O concentrations at a larg
e penguin colony on Barton Peninsula are the highest among the sampled area
s. This may explain why N2O concentrations in Fildes Peninsula are higher t
han the global average. Our preliminary conclusions are that human activiti
es and emissions from penguin dropping-amended soil and vegetation soil con
stitute the major sources of N2O in the maritime Antarctic atmosphere.