Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295379

Title: Ammonia and nitrous oxide fluxes from a novel swine housing

Author
item Lovanh, Nanh
item Loughrin, John
item Sistani, Karamat

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2013
Publication Date: 7/21/2013
Citation: Lovanh, N.C., Loughrin, J.H., Sistani, K.R. 2013. Ammonia and nitrous oxide fluxes from a novel swine housing. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ammonia emission and subsequent deposition can be a major source of pollution, causing nitrogen enrichment, acidification of soils and surface waters, and aerosol formation. In livestock production housing, ammonia emissions can also adversely affect the health, performance, and welfare of both animals and human operators. Nitrous oxide is a major greenhouse gas which has more than two hundred times the potency factor than carbon dioxide in global warming. Understanding the fate and transport processes of ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions in swine houses is a necessary first step in utilizing the appropriate abatement strategies. In this study, the examination and characterization of ammonia and nitrous oxide, major components of odors and toxic gases from swine operations, from an enclosed high-rise swine house were carried out using a photoacoustic gas analyzer. This study was carried out over the winter months to see the effect of seasonality on gas emissions. The gas emission profiles were monitored continuously for at least one day per week over a four-month period. The results showed that ammonia and nitrous oxide emission profiles appeared to peak during the hours from seven in the morning and four o‘clock in the afternoon for the months of December to March. The maximum averaged mass fluxes for nitrous oxide ranged from around 250 to 350 g per hr, and ammonia mass fluxes ranged from a little over 400 to about 800 g per hr. The difference in temporal (months) mass fluxes were not that great. The difference may be attributed to the increase in size of each animal and the composting processes underneath the housing unit.