A spatial ammonia emission inventory for pig farming

Atmospheric emissions of ammonia (NH3) from the agricultural sector have become a significant environmental and public concern as they have impacts on human health and ecosystems.This work proposes an improved methodology in order to identify administrative regions with high NH3 emissions from pig farming and calculates an ammonia density map (kg NH3–N ha−1), based on the number of pigs and available agricultural land, terrain slopes, groundwater bodies, soil permeability, zones sensitive to nitrate pollution and surface water buffer zones. The methodology has been used to construct a general tool for locating ammonia emissions from pig farming when detailed information of livestock farms is not available.

► We propose a methodology to quantify NH3 emissions from pig farming. ► We calculate an ammonia emission density map from Aragon pig farms. ► We establish areas with low carrying capacity for new livestock farms.