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Ammonia pollution is an environmental hazard caused by agricultural emissions of ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is a gas compound, consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen, released into the atmosphere from fertilizer, organic waste, and industrial processes, which can make up nearly 20% of the gases that are considered for humans to breathe. Excess ammonia released can react with other pollutants in the air to create an overabundance of nitrogen in the atmosphere. This can cause eutrophication, an excess of nutrients in an ecosystem, and hazardous living conditions for plants, humans, and animals.

Sources of ammonia pollution
Ammonia emissions mainly occurs in the agricultural sectors because ammonia is released in higher concentration in areas with high animal populations and increased use of fertilizer. Agricultural sectors produce the most to particulate matter, compared to other contributors. More than 90% of Europe's ammonia emissions and 89% of the UK's emissions were because of the agricultural sectors in their regions. The total emission of ammonia released is higher in areas with demanding dairy farming than other agricultural practices because of the increased use of fertilizer compared to other regions.

Animal Livestock
Animal livestock is a leading contributor to ammonia pollution. Nitrogen (N) and ammonia (NH3) is produced from the urea in the manure from domestic animals. The uric acid (C5H4O3N4) is decomposed by oxygen and water to produce carbon dioxide and NH3. The urea is broken down by the urease enzyme (produced by microorganisms in manure), creating carbon dioxide(CO2) and ammonia. This process can be modeled by the formula:

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Although most emissions occur in agricultural sectors, other sources and factors of higher ammonia pollution include:


 * Warmer climates
 * Waste
 * Industrial Processes
 * Catalytic converters in vehicles
 * Denitrification units in power stations

Atmospheric effects of ammonia
The ammonia released can react with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) to form salts and particulates.The ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate formed can be built up and remain in the atmosphere for up to a week. Ammonia reacts with acid pollutants in the air as well to form ammonium (NH4+), which lasts much longer than NH3. Excess ammonia released into the atmosphere also leads to nitrification and denitrification, factoring into greenhouse gas emissions.

The formation of SO42-, a particulate matter, depends on the abundance of NH3. In normal atmospheric conditions, the reaction between NH3 and H2SO4 is preferred over the reaction of other precursor gases like HNO3 and HCl. This forms the particulate (NH4)2SO4, which is nonvolatile. Once the particulate is formed, the NH4+ salt can be transported for longer distances with a lifespan up to 15 days.

Harmful effects to humans
The particulate matter formed by the compounds of ammonia sulfate and ammonium nitrate can damage the human respiratory, the cardiovascular system, as well as cause chronic pulmonary disease. The World Health Organization stated that any exposure to particulate matter is dangerous for an individual's health. The particles in the pollutants can travel into one's respiratory system and become potentially toxic to the individual. In European countries, including Germany and Russia, over 40% of the deaths were attributed to the emissions from agriculture.

Harmful effects to vegetation
The ammonia emissions can be toxic to certain plants and cause excess enrichment of nitrogen in certain ecosystems. This results in an overabundance of plants that have higher nitrogen assimilation rates and hurts plants like moss and lichen that are sensitive to NH3. Lichen species struggle in NH3 abundant areas because NH3 neutralizes the pH of the bark trees the lichen species feeds on to survive.

Plants are affected by excess ammonia through direct toxicity. Ammonia is absorbed through the stomata of the plant, increasing nitrogen intake, which can have detrimental effects on terrestrial plants. The uptake of ammonia may exceed the detoxification capacity of the plant, through nitrogen accumulation.

Refined manure storage
Livestock manure is stored in forms of liquid, slurry and solids. Animal waste contains organic nitrogen that mineralizes slowly, which suggests that NH3 volatilization of these feces are low in buildings. However, long-term storage of organic nitrogen compounds are degraded anaerobically (absence of oxygen), causing an increase in NH4+ concentration in the manure. NH3 emissions can be reduced depending on the storage and flooring of the waste storage.

Methods to reduce NH3 emissions include:
 * Adding a lid or roof to the manure storage container
 * Using a storage bag
 * Utilizing a floating cover for the manure storage
 * Replacing lagoons with covered tanks to reduce the NH3 emissions

Improved manure usage
The emissions of ammonia can be reduced from manure through techniques that can bury the manure and minimize the exposed area of the slurry when used on soil. Methods include:
 * "Band-spreading" slurry on with trailing shoe methods
 * Utilizing slurry injections
 * Diluting slurry in low pressure irrigation systems
 * Incorporation solid manure and slurry into the soil

Corrected animal feedstock
Animals used for labor and grazing require additional energy, leading to higher protein intakes in their diets. Animals like dairy cows and camels discharge higher nitrogen concentrations than other animals due to their higher diet quantity and higher protein intake.
 * Using lower protein diets for livestock can influence the emissions of ammonia
 * One of the most cost effective ways to reduce ammonia emissions
 * Using supplements in food to lower pH levels