Study on Enhanced Methods for Calculating NH₃ Emissions from Fertilizer Application in Agriculture Sector

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science
• Atmospheric Chemistry

Background:

• Ammonia (NH3) is a key precursor to secondary particulate matter (PM-2.5), impacting human health and the environment.
• The agricultural sector is the primary source of ammonia emissions, particularly in Korea, where it accounts for 79% of total emissions.
• Current ammonia emission inventories, especially for fertilizer use, lack accuracy and often rely on foreign data, necessitating localized improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine existing ammonia emission inventories in the agricultural sector, both domestically and internationally.
• To identify and review additional activity data for enhancing emission calculations.
• To improve the accuracy of ammonia emission calculations by exploring different methodologies.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed agricultural ammonia emission inventories from Korea and other countries.
• Identified potential activity data for refining emission factors.
• Calculated ammonia emissions using three distinct methods based on varying factors.

Main Results:

• Ammonia discharge amounts significantly vary based on soil type and crop cultivation.
• Evidence suggests potential for excessive fertilizer top-dressing by farmers.
• The study confirms the need for region-specific emission factors and data.

Conclusions:

• Improving the Korean agricultural ammonia inventory requires systematic collection of basic data, including fertilizer application methods and regional crop distribution.
• Further research is essential to refine emission calculation models for better air quality management.
• Accurate ammonia emission data is vital for effective PM-2.5 control strategies.