Ammonia Emission Control for Dry Manure Storage Practices - Additives

Additives to control ammonia emissions predominantly function by either binding ammonia or by inhibiting urease, the enzyme that breaks urea down to ammonia. Two inhibitors, thiophosphoric triamide and cyclohexylphosphoric triamide, restrained the production of ureas following application to cattle feedlot pens (0.32 oz. per pound of manure). Calcium chloride and triple superphosphate treatments are effective in reducing losses when surface applied to poultry manure (19 and 17 percent, respectively). Phosphates and gypsum reduced ammonia losses from dairy manure storage by 28 and 14 percent, respectively. Triple superphosphate, superphosphate, calcium chloride, and gypsum treatments reduced ammonia losses by 33,24,13 and 8 percent, respectively, when surface-applied to dairy manure. All additives involve the cost of the products themselves and the application equipment associated with them. Continuous application is likely needed in manure storage whereas a single application of the additive may suffice during manure application if the manure is then incorporated.

Extension Publications

• PM 1971a Practices to Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Livestock Operations (pdf)
• PM 1971b Practices to Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Livestock Operations Flowchart (pdf)
• PM 1990 Instruments for Measuring Concentrations and Emissions Rates of Gasses and Particulates From Animal Feeding Operations (pdf)
• EDC 162h Air Quality and Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1935 Gaseous Emissions from Animal Agriculture
• PM 1936 Air Quality Resources for Iowa Animal Agriculture (pdf)

Abstracts, Conference Proceedings, Presentations and Reports

Journal Articles

Newsletter Articles

• EPA releases the Animal Feeding Operations Air Quality Compliance Agreement

Other Links

• Section 3 Outdoor Air Quality (MWPS-18)