Distinction between different slurry application technics by their ammonia emission with FTIR open-path measurements and dispersion modeling

Agriculture is looked at contributing over 90 percent of the known NH3 emission in Germany. A large share is due to spreading liquid manure; at sunshine, the loss off nitrogen ia NH3 emissions may be up to 90 percent compared to the NH4-bound nitrogen in the slurry. In a practice-oriented experiment, four different spreading techniques were compared. Four plots 36 m wide were laid out along the two main wind directions in a valley. In between two plots each an open path Fourier-transform IR (FTIR) spectrometer was placed on a rotating bearing to allow 180 degree swings on the altogether four IR sources. In combination with meteorological data emission rates could be estimated and compared. Even at rather bad weather conditions the application technics could be classified clearly by their ammonia emission.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.