In situ measurement of ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from broiler houses in France

An experimental technique was developed for measuring gaseous emissions including ammonia (NH(3)), nitrous oxide (N(2)O) and methane (CH(4)) from broiler houses. This technique included the monitoring of the air flow rate and the gaseous concentrations. NH(3) was determined using acid trap while N(2)O and CH(4) were determined continuously by infrared gas analyser and sequentially by gas chromatography. Moreover, N(2)O and CH(4) emissions were monitored above the litter using closed flux chambers at the end of the experiment. No emissions of N(2)O and CH(4) were observed neither during the growth of the broiler nor above the litter at the end of the experiment. Ammonia concentration varied between 0.8 and 32 ppm in the building. Total ammonia emissions were estimated to 5.74 g N animal(-1) during this experiment. According to this result, ammonia emissions from broiler houses could be estimated to 5.3 kt of N per year in France.