Emission sources of atmospheric phosphine and simulation of phosphine formation

Preliminary results on the emission sources of atmospheric phosphine and the types of its precursors in the environment are described. Sunlight plays a more important role than oxygen in its degradation. The vertical profile of phosphine levels in ambient air has been measured. Laboratory simulation of phosphine formation under anaerobic conditions shows that addition of chicken manure, bone powder, or lecithin leads to an increment in phosphine emission. Phosphine can also be adsorbed to soil matrix and thus can survive in soil and sediment. Adsorption and light degradation explain the low ambient levels of phosphine.