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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
10:29
Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
Published on: March 21, 2016
Ammonia volatilization loss from surface applied livestock manure
S Paramasivam1, K Jayaraman, Takela C Wilson
1Environmental Science Program, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia 31404, USA. siva@savstate.edu
Summary
Livestock manure application significantly increases ammonia (NH(3)) emissions, especially swine manure (SM) and on sandy soils. Applying lower manure rates, under 5.60 Mg ha(-1), is recommended to minimize NH(3) loss.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Ammonia (NH(3)) emissions from livestock manure reduce crop nitrogen uptake and degrade air quality.
- Manure management is critical for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify ammonia (NH(3)) volatilization from poultry litter (PL) and swine manure (SM) applied to two distinct soil types.
- To evaluate the impact of manure application rates and soil properties on NH(3) emission.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory incubation of Candler fine sand (CFS) and Ogeechee loamy sand (OLS) amended with PL or SM at varying rates (0–22.40 Mg ha(-1)) for 19 days.
- Monitoring of cumulative NH(3) volatilization and analysis of factors influencing emission, including soil type, manure type, application rate, and diurnal variations.
Main Results:
- Swine manure (SM) resulted in significantly higher NH(3) loss (14–32% of total N) compared to poultry litter (PL) (4–27% of total N).
- Ammonia volatilization was greater from light-textured CFS than from medium-textured OLS, and increased with higher manure application rates.
- Over 50% of total NH(3) emission occurred within the first 5-7 days post-application, with higher emissions during daytime.
Conclusions:
- Lower application rates of livestock manure (≤ 5.60 Mg ha(-1)) are recommended to mitigate NH(3) emissions.
- Soil texture and manure type are key factors influencing ammonia volatilization from agricultural soils.
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