Ammonia of farm origin : impact on human and animal health and on the natural habitat

Abstract

Most of the gaseous ammonia emissions are fromagri cultural origin : the livestock sector contributes to 80% of this total. Ammonia is a harmful gas which caninjure the respiratory tract of animals and humans (asthma, chronic bronchitis) and can affect animal performances. The return of ammonia compounds tothe biosphere occurs through dry and wet deposition, either near the emitting source or following long transport distances (particularly with the ammonia species). Such deposition has several consequences: (1) the availability of both essential and toxic nutrients toplant growth is affected causing nutrient imbalances and increasing the sensibility to secondary factors; (2) the effects on soil and water ecosystems lead to eutrophication (nitrogen enrichment) and/or acidification with the disappearance of fauna and flora in the extreme situation.