Laser-Based Sensors for Monitoring Livestock Ammonia Emissions

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Agricultural sources account for approximately 70% of the total ammonia emissions worldwide, with livestock contributing the largest portion due to volatilization of animal waste nitrogen into gaseous ammonia. These large ammonia air emissions greatly impact the environment and society, both from ammonia as a compound and as a precursor of secondary PM2.5, with subsequent adverse effects on human health, agriculture, ecosystems, and the economy. Despite the obvious significance of livestock ammonia air emissions, little data are available, primarily because the scientific communities lack suitable tools for quantifying ammonia. Thus, there exists a knowledge gap regarding accurate ammonia emissions inventories, which prevents the development of effective regulations or mitigation strategies. The technology that will result from this program is anticipated to significantly improve domestic ammonia air emission inventories, which would lead to sensible regulation and efficient emission mitigation strategies, and thereby reduce the overall environmental impact of livestock operations such as CAFOs. This development work will open a new and substantial market opportunity (>$100M) for the commercialization of ammonia sensors for use at environmental monitoring stations and by research groups.