Management and Reduction Techniques Strategies of Ammonia Emission in Agricultural Sectors in China

Abstract

Agricultural ammonia (NH3) emissions (including farmland, livestock and poultry) are China’s main sources of NH3 emissions. China’s government has proposed a national strategic goal to reduce NH3 emissions. Excessive protein feeds, unreasonable manure treatments and agricultural fertilizer applications result in large emissions of NH3. Agricultural activities such as the breeding of livestock and fertilization in farmlands are the main sources of atmospheric NH3 emissions. This article discussed the progress and characteristics of typical NH3 emission inventory, calculated the nationwide NH3 emissions and analyzed the NH3 emission control strategy in the past 40 years in China. There was also an integration analysis of national documents on emission reduction technologies (including government reports) in China. The results showed that there existed single calculation methods and insufficient localization of emission factors in the estimation of domestic NH3 emissions. NH3 emission inventories varied greatly influenced by meteorology, planting structure and breeding pattern. The control strategy of NH3 emission in China has transformed from emission standards to technical guidelines to national strategic control, and it involves the coordination and cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs departments. Current domestic NH3 emission management strategy needs scientific emission verification specification, multi-department and inter-provincial regional coordination mechanisms, and suggestions for further improvement have been put forward. It is urgent to evaluate precise NH3 emission inventories at different regional scales, followed by intensive NH3 emission controls in the key regions (such as North China). Government, agriculture, and breeding industries should vigorously promote low-protein feeds, large-scale livestock farming (including poultry), and pilot projects on closed negative pressure farming. Also, agriculture-related NH3 emission reduction measures should be fully implemented by providing technical support for NH3 emission control in domestic agricultural farms.