The integrated horizontal flux method was used to determine NH3 volati
lization from surface-applied swine manure (Sus scrofa domesticus). Th
is method allows simple NH3 flux estimates to be made from small sourc
e plots based on a measurement of windspeed and NH3 concentration at a
single sampling height. Simultaneous flux estimates were performed to
indicate the NH3 loss as affected by light rainfall and the effect of
separating the solid and liquid fractions of manure and only applying
the liquid fraction. The results showed that flux densities immediate
ly after field application were correlated with total N in the applied
manure regardless of the treatment effect, although slight difference
s did appear. In later days the treatment effects became more apparent
. Rainfall events of approximately 1 mm h(-1) suppressed NH3 fluxes on
subsequent days after spreading. NH3 losses immediately after field a
pplication appeared to be slightly enhanced by watering, although the
effects of the total N applied were dominant. Applying the liquid frac
tion of separated manure resulted in slightly higher initial fluxes. L
osses were subsequently reduced as the liquid manure leached into the
soil.