Ammonia emission factors for UK agriculture

Atmospheric Environment, 2003

Agriculture plays a vital role in the Irish economy, accounting for 3.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2000. Grassland farming and, in particular, cattle rearing and dairying accounts for more than 90% of farming activity. In addition, there have been significant increases in the number of sheep, pigs and poultry over the last twenty years. As a consequence, gaseous nitrogen (N) emissions have shown a clear upward trend. Following the adoption of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Gothenburg protocol (Protocol to the 1979 convention on longrange transboundary air pollution to abate acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone. United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe (UNECE), Geneva.), Ireland has to achieve a 9% reduction in national ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions between 1990 and 2010. The agricultural sector accounts for virtually all NH 3 emissions in Ireland. It is on this basis that a new inventory of NH 3 emissions from agriculture has been produced. This paper describes the adoption of the UK national inventory model to Irish agricultural systems, the results of model calculations and the measures available to enable compliance with national targets and areas within the inventory, which require further investigation. Estimated total emissions from Irish agriculture were 89.9 and 91.8 kt NH 3 -N for 1991 and 2010, respectively. Cattle farming accounts for more than 75% of total emissions. The largest emission factors found included 46.9 g NH 3 -N lu À1 d À1 for cattle housing, 29.5 g NH 3 -N lu À1 d À1 for pig housing and 150 g NH 3 -N lu À1 d À1 for housed broilers (lu being equivalent to 500 kg live weight). In addition, model predictions for the year 2010 showed that without any abatement strategies being implemented, NH 3 emissions would exceed the agreed national emission reduction target by 12%. It was also found that strategies for reducing emissions from the land spreading of manure offer the greatest potential to achieve target levels. r

Atmospheric Environment, 2015

Weekly NH 3 emissions in 4 Â 4 km grid cells during and after a major poultry cull. Concentrations NH 3 were measured at 2 locations outside and 1 inside the cull area. Wide variation in emissions due to farm activities and weather factors. Good correlation between emission estimates and ambient measurements. Detailed inventories useful for policy decisions and improving model inputs.

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 1998

The (Scandinavian Association of Agricultural Scientists NJF) seminar on ammonia volatilization from agriculture was held in Uppsala Sweden, 23-24 May 1996. The seminar was attented by 30 scientists from 5 countries. Thirteen papers were presented in the field of ammonia emission and deposition, volatilization from growing crops, animal husbandry, decomposition of crop residues and from composting of biological wastes. In addition 6 posters were presented. The seminar was organized by a committee of 4 scientists from the Nordic countries.

International Congress Series, 2006

Ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions from agriculture have been studied in Switzerland since the beginning of the nineties. In the beginning, work focused on measurements of emissions at manure spreading and from animal housing. Later it shifted to experiments on the influence of dairy rations on emissions. In recent years it mainly focused on an improved emission inventory methodology and on the assessment of the abatement potential. This development also reflects the changing perception on the question of NH 3 emissions. In the eighties fears dominated that additional restrictions imposed on farmers to reduce NH 3 emissions might make manure management nearly impossible. Since severe restrictions on the nitrogen balance have been introduced, the interest of farmers to reduce nitrogen losses has increased considerably and with it farmers' awareness of NH 3 emissions. This contribution gives an overview of this development and of the main research work.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2002

Much of the increased atmospheric concentration of ammonia (NH 3 ) is derived from dairy farms. In order to better understand the potential for controlling emissions, a comparison was made of NH 3 emissions from dairy farms in the United Kingdom and New Zealand using recently derived emission factors. This desk study demonstrated distinct differences between the two farms: total N input, off-take and surplus in the UK were 1.7, 1.2 and 1.8 times greater than in New Zealand. More sources of NH 3 were identified in the UK which were, in the main, associated with the housing phase, and therefore manure generation. Total NH 3 losses were equivalent to 57 and 24 kg N ha −1 in the UK and New Zealand farms, respectively: these represented similar proportions of the total N inputs to both systems but because of stocking density in New Zealand and its overall greater milk production per ha, losses of NH 3 whether expressed per LU or unit of milk, were at least two times greater in the UK. Options for controlling emissions and their impact included improved slurry storage and application methods, efficient grazing patterns and increased N fertilizer use efficiency in the UK. Options were fewer in New Zealand, the most practical being more effective fertilizer application. In both cases, farming practices which increase N use efficiency, or improve C:N dietary balance for highly productive cows have much potential for reducing volatilization. The approach taken illustrated some important differences between the two farms and provided an easily adopted method to make assessments of NH 3 loss. Additionally, a set of indicators was derived to allow quantifiable comparisons.

2009

The aim of the study was to construct a calculation model for gaseous agricultural nitrogen emissions (ammonia NH 3 , nitrous oxide N 2 O and nitric oxide NO) thereby developing and updating the emission calculation procedure to better reflect the development of these emissions in Finland. The new model will integrate the greenhouse gas and air pollutant inventories for nitrogen emissions. Also, the model enables reporting of emissions at the level of detail required by the reporting guidelines of the UNECE CLRTAP 1 and the UNFCCC 2 .

The global abundance of N fertilizer has dramatically increased agricultural productivity. However, when N escapes to the atmosphere as ammonia (NH 3 ) gas, NH 3 loss can cause undesirable effects. In addition to a loss of a valuable resource, it can have negative impacts on air quality, ecosystem productivity, and human health. Animal production is the largest source of NH 3 emission in North America. Improved manure and fertilizer management practices will help reduce volatile losses of this valuable resource.

Biogeosciences Discussions, 2005

Intensive livestock farms emit large concentrations of NH 3 , most of which is deposited very close to the source. The presence of trees enhances the deposition. Rates to down wind forests can exceed 40 kg N ha −1 . The steep gradient in large NH 3 concentration and deposition at the edge of a downwind forest to background concentrations 5 exceed the emission factor of 1% advised by the IPCC for N 2 O emissions resulting from atmospheric N deposition. 978 BGD 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract BGD 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract 2, 977-995, 2005 Abstract 25 the NO auto chambers and control unit. This work was part of the EU project NOFRETETE

Biosystems Engineering, 2007

Ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions were measured from pig and cattle slurry storage by means of the funnel technique on the slurry surface and floating wind tunnels. Emissions from farmyard manure (FYM) heaps were quantified by the large open dynamic chamber

2006 CSBE/SCGAB, Edmonton, AB Canada, July 16-19, 2006, 2006

Ammonia (NH 3) emissions from farm operations have been identified by the National Agri-Environmental Health Analysis and Reporting Program (NAHARP) as one of the quantitative indicators of agricultural environmental performance in Canada. Based on current estimates, about 6% of all Canadian emissions can be attributed to land application of poultry manure. The Fraser Valley of B.C. generates large quantities (approximately 280,000 tonnes) of poultry manure each year. While land application of poultry litter can provide essential plant nutrients for crop production, improper manure management can lead to ammonia volatilization from the litter, and it can be detrimental to the environment. Papers presented before CSBE/SCGAB meetings are considered the property of the Society. In general, the Society reserves the right of first publication of such papers, in complete form; however, CSBE/SCGAB has no objections to publication, in condensed form, with credit to the Society and the author, in other publications prior to use in Society publications. Permission to publish a paper in full may be requested from the CSBE/SCGAB Secretary,