Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in swine production

This chapter focuses on the two pollutants in swine production. Modern swine production is a significant source of pollution gases. Ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulfide are among the most environmentally significant gases that have received a relatively longer history of research compared with other pollutants at animal facilities. Compared with other major livestock and poultry species, NH₃ concentrations at swine facilities are usually higher than those at dairy and beef facilities but lower than those at poultry facilities. Ammonia emissions from animal manure cause losses of nitrogen as fertilizers. The percentage of nitrogen loss as NH₃ from swine production was estimated at 56%, including 30% from housing, 15% from manure management, and 11% from land application. When studying air pollution from animal production, one of the most important objectives is to gain a new understanding of the quantities and characteristics of the pollutant concentrations and emissions.