TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE REDUCTION OF AMMONIA EMISSION FROM AGRICULTURE

Agricultural production systems are recognised as a major source of at mospheric ammonia (NH3). When deposited, the NH3 may contribute to eut rophication of oligotrophic ecosystems and to acidification. Technique s for the reduction of ammonia emission are mainly focused on reducing the NH3 emitting area exposed to the air, reducing the NH3 or ammoniu m (NH4+) concentration in solution or reducing the exchange of air abo ve the emitting surface. In this paper we present the techniques and c hanges in farming practice which may reduce NH3 emission. Due to inter actions between different sources on a farm, reduction in NH3 emission from individual parts of the livestock production system cannot simpl y be added to give the net reduction in emission from the total system . Thus a whole farm system approach is needed for devising control str ategies for reducing NH3 emission.