ENVIRONMENT ▶▶▶
Plant-based additives to mitigate effects of harmful gases
The planet’s high global emissions and greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations are due to human activities. With agriculture being the third largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2
reduction is a concern for us all. ), ammonia (NH3
Each enclosure in the trial oper- ates as an inde- pendent unit with its own air-conditioning system powered by a control computer to maintain the re- quired micro- climatic values in each separate compartment.
W ) and methane (CH4 ), emission BY MANU DE LAET AND SANDRA CHAMUSCO, DELACON
e have all heard already about the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions and how they can contribute to climate change. We therefore need to be aware of the importance and
urgency of reducing this threat to our planet’s unique eco- system and biodiversity. However, we should not think that responsibility for reducing environmental impacts lies only with governments and large industries. It’s all too easy to overlook our own responsibilities. Through our daily choices and actions as individuals, in both our personal and profes- sional lives, we have the potential to have an effect globally. It may seem strange, but if many of us start to act locally, our
actions will become part of a chain reaction with a much broader impact eventually, hopefully, a global one.
Impact of ammonia Aerial ammonia (NH3
) is considered a threat as it affects the
immediate surroundings of the emission source. When re- leased to the atmosphere, it is converted to ammonium and ammonium salts, contributing to the acidification of soils and water. Ammonia emissions from livestock mainly originate from the animal’s manure, impacting the animals and work- ers indoors to start with and subsequently the atmosphere, when released or ventilated from the animal housing or generated by the manure storage used as field fertiliser. Scientifically speaking, ammonia is formed from the break- down of urea which occurs in large amounts in the animal’s manure. An enzyme called urease is the mediator of this pro- cess and faecal bacteria its primary source. Urea breaks down into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Ammonia can remain sta- ble in the liquid fraction of the manure under certain condi- tions, like low pH and temperature. However, its volatilization (emission) can occur easily and frequently. When the aerial concentration of ammonia increases indoors, both animals and workers are affected. Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent smell, potentially toxic, corrosive, and is an irritant. This substance easily binds with dust particles in the air and can rapidly spread to and accumulate in the respiratory tract causing cilia loss and impairing mucosal cleaning. Frequent exposure to ammonia causes irritation and damages the res- piratory tract mucosa, increasing susceptibility to disease and diminishing animal performance and welfare.
At the source There are known strategies to mitigate ammonia formation and emissions. These range from building and slurry pit de- sign, ventilation, air-washing systems and slurry manage- ment, to nutritional manipulations and additives provided via the feed, such as phytogenics that can have an important and beneficial effect in this context. Acting at farm level – at the emission source – is an excellent option, helping to reduce
40 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 8, 2021
PHOTO: DELACON
PHOTO: DELACON
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