Ammonia emissions from agriculture and their contribution to fine particulate matter: A review of implications for human health

Air quality monitoring in dairy farms: Description of air quality dynamics in a tunnel-ventilated housing barn and milking parlor of a commercial dairy farm

This study aimed to describe air quality dynamics in a commercial dairy farm focusing on 2 locations: a tunnel-ventilated barn (TVB) and a milking parlor (MKP). Assessed air quality components included carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), particulate matter 2.5 µg/m3 (PM2.5), total volatile organic compounds (VOC), and temperature-humidity index (THI), which were continuously monitored from August 16 to December 22, 2023, using a multiple air quality sensor platform. Descriptive analysis revealed significant hourly variability in the air quality dynamics during the study period. Mixed-effects models revealed no significant differences in the overall CO and THI measurements between the barn and milking parlor. However, the location significantly influenced overall concentrations of other air components including CO2, CH4, PM2.5, VOC, and NH3. Overall comparisons between TVB and MKP showed that the TVB had a higher overall CO2 concentration mean during the observation period compared with the MKP (LSM ± SEM; 640 ± 9.02 vs. 612 ± 9.01 ppm), while the MKP recorded highest CH4 levels (11.03 ± 0.52 vs. 8.87 ± 0.52 ppm). In the TVB, the NH3 levels ranged from 0.401 to 44.9 ppm, whereas no NH3 was detected in the MKP. The MKP recorded higher overall PM2.5 compared with the TVB (5.51 ± 0.31vs. 3.21 ± 0.31µg/m3). The VOC levels exhibited higher overall means in the TVB compared with the MKP (153 ± 2.18 vs. 144 ± 2.16 ppm) but were characterized by substantial variability in both locations. Temporal trends suggested that the monitored air components might be influenced by farm activities such as feeding, cleaning, and milking as identifiable peaks we observed at specific hours of the day. We identified hourly pattern dynamics of CO, CO2, CH4, NH3, PM2.5, VOC, and THI within the TVB and the MKP. Understanding these dynamics provides the opportunity to develop mitigation strategies for enhancing air quality within dairy facilities.

Drip fertigation with slurry as a promising tool to reduce nitrogen losses under organic maize

The European Union (EU) actively promotes the adoption of organic farming, in which crop N requirements are satisfied via organic fertilizers, such as slurry. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a key crop for both feed and food production with high N uptake. In this short-term study, we tested fertigation with microfiltered slurry liquid faction for maize fertilization as viable strategy to enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) under organic farming while reducing N losses, via ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), and nitrate leaching (NO3-). We compared three strategies (i) slurry application through surface broadcast of the liquid fraction before sowing as reference fertilization ("Ante" treatment, or "A"), (ii) slurry application through both pre-sowing broadcast of the liquid fraction and fertigation as side-dressing with the microfiltered liquid fraction ("Ante + Post" treatment, or "A + P"), and (iii) slurry microfiltered liquid fraction application as side dressing via fertigation ("Post" treatment, or "P"). Compared to "A", cumulative N losses were reduced by 38% under "A + P" and 58% under "P". Furthermore, NH3 volatilization decreased by 43% and 71% under "A + P" and "P", respectively. These treatments also reduced N2O emissions by 30% and 37%. Nitrate leaching was reduced by 56% in the "P" treatment. Overall, the "P" strategy was the most effective in reducing N losses, while "A + P" tended to increase grain production (12.6 Mg ha-1) and NUE (38.1 kg grain kg-1 N supply) compared to "P" (11.0 Mg ha-1 and 35.5 kg grain kg-1 N supply). These results were primarily attributed to the improved synchronization between N supply and maize N requirements, emphasizing the risk associated with slurry application before sowing. Although conducted over a short experimental period, our study suggests that drip fertigation with slurries can overcome the potential yield losses of organic systems for crops with high N demand such as maize, while reducing N losses, fulfilling the environmental principles of organic farming and current requirements from EU policies.

Nasopharyngeal microbiota is influenced by agricultural air pollution in individuals with and without COPD

Respiratory health in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is influenced by environmental factors such as air pollution, yet the role of the airway microbiota in this relationship remains unclear. We investigated the association between exposure to air pollution from livestock farms and the nasopharyngeal microbiota in individuals with COPD compared to healthy control subjects. The study included nasopharyngeal swabs from 186 currently non-smoking participants in the Netherlands, including 65 individuals with COPD and 121 without from a regional rural cohort. Additionally, 116 individuals from a population-wide cohort were included as national controls. Samples were taken at three time points over 12 weeks. The nasopharyngeal microbiota was studied using 16 S rRNA gene-based sequencing for all baseline samples and a random selection of 6-weeks and 12-weeks samples. Dispersion models were used to determine the average concentrations of livestock-related PM10, endotoxin, and ammonia at the participants' home addresses. Individuals with COPD had a higher absolute abundance of anaerobic bacteria, such as Peptoniphilus, Anaerococcus, Finegoldia magna, and Prevotella. Importantly, residential exposure to ammonia was identified as the most important driver of the microbial community composition, explaining 6.6% of the variation in nasopharyngeal microbiota in individuals with COPD. Higher ammonia concentrations were associated with decreased levels of key commensals and increased abundance of anaerobic bacteria. Furthermore, individuals living in areas with high livestock density exhibited greater microbial diversity compared to the broader national population. The study highlights the influence of residential exposure to livestock-related air pollution, particularly ammonia, on nasopharyngeal microbiota composition in individuals with COPD. Our findings suggest that environmental factors significantly impact microbial communities and underscore the potential role of anaerobic bacteria in COPD pathology. Future research should further investigate the mechanisms by which environmental air pollutants affect microbial communities and explore potential interventions to mitigate their effects on respiratory health.

Acidification of animal slurry in housing and during storage to reduce NH3 and GHG emissions-recent advancements and future perspectives

Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions are an environmental issue associated with animal manure management. Concrete, practical, and economic solutions are needed for farmers and other stakeholders around the globe to solve this issue. Decreasing slurry pH with the help of acids or other compounds is a well-documented technique to reduce ammonia and methane emissions from slurry. However, the effect of manure acidification on N2O emissions is still not clear. Recently, acidifying agents other than the previously used mineral acids have been tested such as e.g. organic acids, bio-waste materials, and microbial inoculations. However, the effectiveness of these acidifying agents in reducing the slurry pH and mitigation of gaseous emissions further needs to be reviewed. Also, the effectiveness of acidification in combination with other manure treatments such as composting, solid-liquid separation, and anaerobic digestion requires consideration in whole-system solutions. Here, recent studies have been compiled and reviewed to determine the applicability of acidification options for slurry management to deepen our understanding of the environmental impact of slurry acidification. The literature review revealed that temperature fluctuations have a substantial impact on the acidified slurry's performance during storage. A viable substitute for conventional mineral acids could be organic acids and biomaterials like sugars whey, and microbes. Furthermore, apple pulp, sugar beet molasses, and grass silage are examples of bio-waste products that exhibit promise as acidifying agents. However, to gain a better understanding of the viability and usefulness of the recently evaluated acidifying compounds, more research is still required.

Driving forces of agricultural ammonia emissions in semi-arid areas of China: A spatial econometric approach

Ammonia emissions contribute to PM2.5 formation, posing significant threats to public health, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and causing various ecological issues, such as soil and water acidification. This study investigates ammonia emissions in the semi-arid region of central Gansu Province, China, by establishing a county-level agricultural ammonia emission inventory for 2014-2020 using the emission factor method. A spatial econometric model, integrated with the STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology) model, is employed to identify key drivers of emissions. This approach is crucial because it accounts for the spatial dependencies of emissions across regions and incorporates socio-economic factors, providing a more comprehensive understanding of emission patterns. Results indicate that livestock and poultry farming (58.76 %) and nitrogen fertilizer application (37.73 %) are major contributors to ammonia emissions. Regional agricultural ammonia emissions are concentrated in the east, river basins, and parts of the southwest. The study also reveals positive spatial clustering and spillover effects of ammonia emissions. In the central region of Gansu Province, a 1 % increase in per capita GDP, population, agricultural structure, and rural electricity consumption leads to changes in agricultural ammonia emissions of 0.059 %, -1.181 %, -0.109 %, and 0.133 %, respectively. Rural electricity consumption, population dynamics, and agricultural structure improvements influence not only locally but also across neighboring regions. The findings emphasize the need for targeted, collaborative regional strategies to mitigate emissions and underscore the importance of considering spatial interactions in emission reduction policies.

Sensitive gas spectroscopy method for real-time determination of urease activity via ammonia production

In this study we propose the use of a laser-based photoacoustic spectrometer as a new method to investigate the kinetics of ammonia (NH3) emission from the hydrolysis of urea (H2N-CO-NH2) in the presence of urease. Experiments explored the effects of varying the amounts of water and urease on nitrogen (N) loss from urea aqueous solutions. A linear increase in N-NH3 loss and the maximum emission rate (rNH3) was observed with increasing certified urease concentrations. Specifically, the addition of 10 units of urease resulted in an N loss of 8.1%, with a sensitivity of approximately 0.8% per unit of urease, and reached 12.8 μmol min-1 with a sensitivity of 1.1 μmol min-1 per unit of urease for rNH3. These relationships enabled the estimation of urease quantities in commercial soy flour extracts. Variations in water and urease proportions revealed that maximum NH3 emissions occurred within the first 2-5 h, with the highest N-NH3 loss value attaining (9 ± 1)% for samples containing 2.0 mL soy flour extracts and additional water. For urease concentration assays, N-NH3 loss and rNH3 were (14.4 ± 0.1)% and (25.3 ± 0.1) μmol min-1, respectively, with 4.0 mL of soy flour extract. The results underscored the dominant influence of urease compared to that of water in urea hydrolysis. The PA spectrometer demonstrated sufficient sensitivity for detecting NH3, rendering it a promising tool for studying urease activity in urea decomposition. Future work could explore this system under crop field conditions to elucidate the roles of urease and water in the cycling of nutrients within agroecosystems.

Association Between Residential Greenness and Risk of Stroke by Ecoregions: The REGARDS Study

BACKGROUND

Living in areas with more greenness has been associated with beneficial health outcomes. However, few studies have examined associations of greenness with incidence of stroke, and it is unclear how these associations may vary with the type of vegetation and surrounding ecology. This study evaluated associations between greenness and incidence of stroke by the major ecological regions in the United States.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We assessed the incidence of stroke in 27 369 participants from the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study, a prospective cohort recruited across the contiguous United States. Greenness was estimated by the normalized difference vegetation index and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) at multiple buffers around home addresses. Participants were assigned to ecoregions using their baseline residence. We estimated the association between residential greenness and incidence of stroke using covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Models were stratified by ecoregions to assess how associations varied by areas with unique vegetation and ecology. We observed 1581 incident cases of stroke during the study period. In the full study population, there was suggestive evidence of a protective association between greenness and stroke incidence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.989 [95% CI, 0.946-1.033]) for a 0.1 increase in normalized difference vegetation index within 250 m. Similar results were obtained using enhanced vegetation index and larger radii. In our analysis by ecoregions, we found greenness was associated with lower stroke risk in the Eastern Temperate Forests region (HR, 0.946 [95% CI, 0.898-0.997]), but higher risk in the Great Plains (HR, 1.442 [95% CI, 1.124-1.849]) and Mediterranean California regions (HR, 1.327 [95% CI, 1.058-1.664]).

CONCLUSIONS

Vegetation may lower the risk of stroke; however, benefits may be limited to certain contexts of the natural environment.

CyanoHABs and CAPs: assessing community-based monitoring of PM2.5 with regional sources of pollution in rural, northeastern North Carolina

Underserved rural communities in northeastern North Carolina (NC), surrounding the Albemarle Sound, have faced degraded environmental quality from various sources of air and water pollution. However, access to local air quality data is regionally scarce due to a lack of state-run monitoring stations, which has motivated local community science efforts. In January 2022, we co-developed a community-led study to investigate the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sources of regional air pollution, with a specific focus on previously identified emissions from cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs). Using low-cost PurpleAir air quality sensors to quantify PM2.5 mass, satellite-derived indicators of CyanoHABs, and other publicly available atmospheric and meteorological data, we assessed environmental drivers of PM2.5 mass in the airshed of the Albemarle Sound estuary during 2022-2023. We found that bias-corrected PurpleAir PM2.5 mass concentrations aligned with composite data from the three nearest federal reference equivalent measurements within 1 μg m-3 on average, and that the temporal variation in PM2.5 was most closely associated with changes in criteria air pollutants. Ultimately, satellite-based indicators of CyanoHABs (Microcystis spp. equivalent cell counts and bloom spatial extent) were not strongly associated with ambient/episodic increases in PurpleAir PM2.5 mass during our study period. For the first time, we provide local PM2.5 measurements to rural communities in northeastern NC with an assessment of environmental drivers of PM2.5 pollution events. Additional compositional analyses of PM2.5 are warranted to further inform respiratory risk assessments for this region of NC. Despite the lack of correlation between CyanoHABs and PM2.5 observed, this work serves to inform future studies that seek to employ widely available and low-cost approaches to monitor both CyanoHAB aerosol emissions and general air quality in rural coastal regions at high spatial and temporal resolutions.

Eco-Friendly Ammonia Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Madhuca indica Leaves Charcoal and Optimization of Parameters by RSM-BBD: A Sustainable Zero-Waste Approach

Ammonia separation from industrial effluents is a big concern for aquatic, plant, and human lives. Adsorption is best suited for separating ammonia from effluents due to its high effectiveness. In this paper, the activated Madhuca indica leaves charcoal (AMLC) adsorbent was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) to know the characteristics of the adsorbent before and after adsorption. Further, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis were performed on the AMLC adsorbent, and a very high surface area of 964.252 m2/g was observed. The AMLC was utilized for adsorption experiments, and the adsorption parameters were optimized using response surface methodology-Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). The optimized parameters reported using RSM-BBD are a contact time of 123.19 min, an adsorbent dosage of 29.1 g/L, a pH of 10.33, an initial ammonia concentration of 312.28 mg/L, and a shaker speed of 82.70 rpm that gives the maximum ammonia removal efficiency of 100%. The adsorption equilibrium studies were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin isotherms, with the Langmuir isotherm being the best fit for the data. The adsorption kinetics were modeled with pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), and intraparticle diffusion (IPD) models, indicating that PSO best describes the rate of kinetics. In addition, adsorption thermodynamics is also studied. The change in enthalpy (ΔH) was positive, suggesting that the adsorption is an endothermic process. The negative energy of entropy (ΔS) indicated complex formation with the AMLC adsorbent. In contrast, the positive change in Gibb's free energy showed that adsorption was not spontaneous. The present study supports UN SDG Goal 6 by providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions to water treatment. It also promotes biomass use and reduces chemical usage toward an eco-friendly water purification process.

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak, Malaysia: Status, challenges and future for migratory shorebirds population in the East-Asian Australian Flyway

Birds are an excellent bio-indicator of biodiversity changes. Migratory shorebirds in particular cover a large distances traversing different types of habitats, from the tundra region in the most northern part of the world, to tropical and temperate areas in the southern most area. Kuala Gula, a sanctuary for more than 200 bird species is part of an Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) along the East-Asian Australian Flyway. Despite its importance, the area including its coastline is continuously pressured by anthropogenic activity. As such, there is a need to critically review Kuala Gula's environmental status to highlight its potential, along with understanding the issues and threats particularly to the migratory shorebirds population in the long run. This is important not just to maintain Kuala Gula's relevance as part of the important IBA in the Southeast Asia, but also to ascertain its qualification to meet its recognition's goal. Throughout this review, we found that there are several issues that need to be addressed urgently, particularly ones related to pollution activity. Furthermore, the studies done so far are not coordinated well enough and lack continuity. As such, certain important information is still lacking making the protection and conservation of the area a big challenge. It is concluded that, the stability and sustainability of Kuala Gula's habitats and its coastline is at stake, and there is a hope that this review will help related stakeholders to understand the current issues, and work together effectively to conserve the area.

Mitigation of ammonia and methane emissions with manure amendments during storage of cattle slurry

This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of manure amendments in abating ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) emissions during storage. Two experiments were carried out. Experiment 1 was conducted using 20 L of slurry for 98 days. Treatments were: aluminium sulphate (alum), lactogypsum, zeolite, actiglene, ammonium thiosulphate, biochar, dairy processing waste, Digest-IT and control (without amendment). Experiment 2 was conducted using 660 L of slurry in underground storage tanks for 77 days. Treatments were: sulphuric acid, gypsum, biochar and control (without amendment). NH3 measurements for experiment 1 and experiment 2 were conducted using the photoacoustic gas monitor and dynamic chamber techniques, respectively. CH4 was measured using the static chamber technique in both experiments. The effect of amendments on slurry composition was determined at the end of the experiments. Experiment 1 showed a significant reduction in NH3 emissions in the alum (82%), lactogypsum (46%) and zeolite (32%) treatments relative to the control (100.3% total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN)). CH4 was reduced significantly in the alum (87%), ammonium thiosulphate (64%) and lactogypsum (67%) relative to the control (291.9 g m-2). Experiment 2 showed a significant reduction (32%) in NH3 emissions in the sulphuric acid relative to the control (4.4% TAN). CH4 was reduced significantly in the sulphuric acid (46%), gypsum (39%) and biochar (15%) treatments relative to the control (291.9 g m-2). In general, amendments altered slurry composition such as dry matter, volatile solids, carbon and nitrogen contents at the end of storage. Lactogypsum, alum and sulphuric acid were effective in abating both NH3 and CH4 emissions and can contribute to improving air quality.

Co-exposure to ammonia and lipopolysaccharide-induced impaired energy metabolism via the miR-1599/HK2 axis and triggered autophagy, ER stress, and apoptosis in chicken cardiomyocytes

Ammonia (NH3) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), common pollutants in poultry farming environments, pose significant health risks by disrupting cellular processes. Although previous studies have demonstrated the individual effect of NH3 or LPS on human and animal health, the mechanisms underlying their combined impact on chicken heart tissue remain poorly understood. In this study, we established a chicken cardiotoxicity model to investigate the effects of NH3 and/or LPS exposure on energy metabolism, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Our findings indicated that exposure to NH3 or/and LPS reduced ATPase activity and ATP content, led to the downregulation of HK2, PK, PDHX, and SDH, and upregulation of AMPK, resulting in impaired energy metabolism in chicken cardiomyocytes. Additionally, we found the gga-miR-1599/HK2 axis as a key regulator involved in NH3 or/and LPS-induced energy metabolism impairment. The impairment in energy metabolism activated the AMPK/mTOR pathway, which subsequently triggered autophagy, evidenced by the upregulation of Beclin, LC3-I, and LC3-II. Furthermore, decreased mTOR expression induced ER stress, as indicated by the upregulation of key markers such as ATF6, GRP78, IRE1, and PERK. ER stress, in turn, increased CHOP expression, which downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated Bim, resulting in elevated levels of Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3, ultimately triggering apoptosis. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of NH3 and LPS co-exposure on poultry heart tissue and identifies potential molecular targets for mitigating these adverse effects.

Polyphenolic and Immunometric Profiling of Wheat Varieties: Impact of Organic and Conventional Farming on Allergenic and Bioactive Compounds

This study investigates the impact of organic and conventional farming on the allergenic and bioactive properties of wheat. The primary aim was to assess the immunometric parameters and polyphenolic composition in four varieties of winter and four varieties of spring wheat cultivated under both farming systems. Immunometric assays focused on gluten content, the allergenic QQQPP peptide, and the panallergenic profilin Tri a 12. While gluten levels (15-20 g/kg) showed no clear dependence on farming type, organic wheat exhibited a mild yet significant increase in QQQPP-dependent immunoreactivity in five samples (>20 µg/g). However, all organic wheat samples demonstrated a notable reduction in profilin content (<0.6 µg/g), suggesting that the type of wheat cultivation could influence allergenic risk for individuals with wheat-related allergies. Polyphenolic profiling revealed that kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid were the predominant compounds, with organic wheat displaying slightly higher polyphenol levels on average. Despite these differences, the variations were insufficient to determine a superior cultivation method. These findings highlight the potential allergenic and nutritional implications of organic versus conventional wheat farming.

Increasing soil nitrous acid emissions driven by climate and fertilization change aggravate global ozone pollution

Soil microbial nitrous acid (HONO) production is an important source of atmospheric reactive nitrogen that affects air quality and climate. However, long-term global soil HONO emissions driven by climate change and fertilizer use have not been quantified. Here, we derive the global soil HONO emissions over the past four decades and evaluate their impacts on ozone (O3) and vegetation. Results show that climate change and the increased fertilizer use enhanced soil HONO emissions from 9.4 Tg N in 1980 to 11.5 Tg N in 2016. Chemistry-climate model simulations show that soil HONO emissions increased global surface O3 mixing ratios by 2.5% (up to 29%) and vegetation risk to O3, with increasing impact during 1980s-2016 in low-anthropogenic-emission regions. With future decreasing anthropogenic emissions, the soil HONO impact on air quality and vegetation is expected to increase. We thus recommend consideration of soil HONO emissions in strategies for mitigating global air pollution.

Impact of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on the particulate matter pollution and associated reduction in human mortalities in Indian cities

The study of particulates in cities holds significant importance in the evaluation of atmospheric conditions, comprehension of health ramifications and provision of valuable insights for the development of efficient pollution abatement measures and policies. Governments worldwide are currently enacting rigorous regulations aimed at mitigating particulate matter (PM), as it seriously affects air quality, public health, ecosystem, and visibility over a region. In this context, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 to reduce the PM10 emissions to 20-30 % by 2024-25, as compared to that of 2017-18, by enforcing city-specific policies and mitigation strategies. Here, we assess the changes in PM10 over 28 Indian cities using the measurements collected by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the period of 2018-2022. The concentration of PM with a diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10) is comparatively high, about 80-120 μg/m3, in the cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and Central India (CI). Conversely, the levels of PM10 are lower (about 40 μg/m3) in the Peninsular regions (e.g. Hubballi). Most cities considered (20 out of 28) show a decline in PM10 concentration (about 15-60 %) in 2022 as compared to that in 2018. This reduction resulted in a total of 62,219 excess mortalities avoided in 20 Indian cities in 2021 compared to 2018. Nevertheless, there are 8 cities where the levels of PM10 are greater than that in 2018 (e.g. Kolkata and Durgapur). Thus, this study finds that the implementation of NCAP has been successful in decreasing PM10 levels in India and improving public health by reducing fatalities. Therefore, it is recommended to enforce stringent rules to achieve the goals set by NCAP.

Application of Zeolite-Based Materials for Chemical Sensing of VOCs

Considerable levels of pollution produced by urbanization and industrial development have established a need for monitoring the presence of harmful compounds and the assessment of environmental risks to provide a basis for timely reaction and the prevention of disastrous consequences. Chemical sensors offer a reasonable solution; however, the desired properties, such as high sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reliability, ease of fabrication, and cost-effectiveness, are not always easily met. To this end, the incorporation of zeolites in sensor materials has attracted considerable attention. Such hybrid sensor materials exhibit excellent performances due to the unique properties of zeolites, which have been successfully utilized in gas-sensing applications. In this review, we discuss recent findings in the area of the application of zeolites as sensor materials, focusing on the detection of volatile organic compounds and highlighting the role of zeolite frameworks and the proposed mechanisms in the sensing process. Finally, we consider possible future directions for the development of zeolite-based sensor technology, including the application of hierarchical materials, nanosized zeolites, and 2D material-zeolite heterostructures that would fulfill industrial and environmental demands.

Ensemble stacking of machine learning models for air quality prediction for Hyderabad city in India

Hyderabad, one of the rapidly developing cities in India, is facing with severe air pollution due to rapid urbanization, industrial operations, and climatic factors. To alleviate the negative impact on human health and the environment, accurate monitoring and forecasting of air quality are essential. This research utilized various machine learning models, such as XGBoost, LarsCV, Bayesian Ridge, AdaBoost, and ensemble stacking methods, to forecast the air quality index (AQI) using data from August 2016 to October 2023, which included 18 different air pollutants, including meteorological parameters. The ensemble stacking method showed excellent performance, attaining high training (R2 = 0.994) and validation (R2 = 0.999) accuracy with low error metrics (mean absolute error [MAE] = 0.496, mean square error [MSE] = 0.429, root-mean-square error [RMSE] = 0.655). These results highlight the efficacy of ensemble stacking for AQI prediction, providing crucial information for policymakers to formulate strategies to reduce air pollution's effects on public health and environmental sustainability.

Influence of Astragalus extract on Gut Microbiome Regulation and Ammonia Emission Mitigation in Laying Hens

Astragalus extract plays a dual role in gut microbiome regulation and ammonia (NH3) emission mitigation in laying hens. This study explored its effects through feeding experiments, with a focus on gut microbial metabolic pathways and NH3 reduction mechanisms. To achieve this, both in vitro fermentation experiments and in vivo feeding trials were conducted. In the in vitro study, cecal contents from laying hens were incubated with different concentrations of AE and Yucca extract (YE) to evaluate NH3 production, while in the feeding trial, 58-week-old Lohmann Pink laying hens were allocated into three groups (control, 0.1% YE, and 0.1% AE) and housed in controlled-environment respiration chambers for 21 days. Measurements included NH3 emissions, serum biochemical indices, immune parameters, gut physicochemical properties, and 16S rRNA-based microbiota analysis. Results showed that Astragalus extract reduced NH3 emissions by 29.3%, achieved by lowering urease and uricase activities and promoting the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen. Additionally, it significantly enhanced gut immune function by increasing intestinal immunoglobulin levels. Microbial community analysis revealed an increased relative abundance of Bacteroides, Muribaculaceae, and Faecalibacterium, which are negatively correlated with NH3 emissions. These microbial shifts improved ammonium nitrogen utilization via the upregulation of CTP synthase and GMP synthase activities, contributing to higher NH3 reduction efficiency. This study highlights Astragalus extract as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to regulate gut microbiota, optimize nitrogen metabolism, and mitigate NH3 emissions in laying hens.

Response of epithelial cell lines from the rainbow trout gut and gill to ammonia

Rainbow trout epithelial cell lines from the gill, RTgill-W1, and gut, RTgutGC, were exposed to NH4Cl at 18-21 °C in L15 (basal medium) with fetal bovine serum and were found to undergo cytoplasmic vacuolization and cell death, depending on NH4Cl concentration and exposure time. Vacuolization arose within 24 h of cultures being exposed to 10-100 mM NH4Cl, and vacuoles disappeared over 24 h after NH4Cl-exposed cultures were returned to just L15/FBS. RTgill-W1 appeared more sensitive to vacuolization, with one indicator being the maximal proportion of vacuolated cells in a culture, which approached 100% in 50 mM NH4Cl for 72 h. RTgill-W1 also were more sensitive to NH4Cl-induced cell killing. For 7-d exposures, the inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) for the 50% loss of cell viability as evaluated with Alamar Blue were 30 mM NH4Cl for RTgill-W1 and 80 mM for RTgutGC. In a wound-healing assay, RTgutGC cells in 0.1 and 1 mM NH4Cl were able to migrate and cover a 500-μm gap in 5 d, like the control, but in 50 mM NH4Cl healing was blocked. In 10 mM NH4Cl, repair was slowed but by 14 d the gap was covered with cells and many of these were vacuolated. Overall, the results provide a foundation for using these two cell lines to study the physiology and toxicology of ammonia in fish.

Integration of electrocoagulation and solar energy for sustainable wastewater treatment: a thermodynamic and life cycle assessment study

This study presents an innovative approach to sustainable wastewater treatment by integrating electrocoagulation (EC) with solar energy and biogas. The research evaluates the performance of an EC reactor in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency under varying current densities, demonstrating enhanced COD removal rates with increased current densities, achieving up to 95.3% at 1500 A/m2. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is employed to compare the environmental impacts of different energy sources for powering the EC system. The findings indicate that biogas derived from domestic waste offers a lower environmental impact compared to natural gas, coal, hydro, solar, and wind. The study further explores the potential of solar energy in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul, where high solar radiation could be harnessed. However, the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels is affected by temperature, with an observed efficiency decrease of approximately 0.5% per degree Celsius increase in temperature. Effective cooling strategies are thus essential for optimizing PV performance. The integration of EC with solar energy, powered by biogas, not only enhances wastewater treatment efficiency but also contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. This combined approach presents a viable solution for both domestic and industrial wastewater treatment, especially in remote or off-grid areas.

Diffuse soil pollution from agriculture: Impacts and remediation

Agricultural activities are essential for sustaining the global population, yet they exert considerable pressure on the environment. A major challenge we face today is agricultural pollution, much of which is diffuse in nature, lacking a clear point of origin for chemical discharge. Modern agricultural practices, which often depend on substantial applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water, are key contributors to this form of pollution. These activities lead to downstream contamination through mechanisms such as surface runoff, leaching, soil erosion, wind dispersal, and sedimentation. The environmental and human health consequences of diffuse pollution are profound and cannot be ignored. Accurate assessment of the risks posed by agricultural pollutants is crucial for ensuring the production of safe, high-quality food while safeguarding the environment. This requires systematic monitoring and evaluation of agricultural practices, including soil testing and nutrient management. Furthermore, the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) are critical in reducing the levels of agricultural pollution. Such measures are essential for mitigating the negative impacts on ecosystems and public health. Therefore, the adoption of preventive strategies aimed at minimizing pollution and its associated risks is highly recommended to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and human well-being.

Identifying NH3 emission mitigation techniques from farm to field using a Bayesian network

This study addresses the challenge of reducing ammonia (NH3) emissions from agriculture by evaluating various mitigation techniques. The research utilized a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) to integrate quantitative data on NH3 volatilization reduction with qualitative stakeholder perceptions, aiming to identify the best available techniques (BATs) that balance environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors for farmers in the Veneto region of Italy. The BBN framework established probabilistic dependencies between variables related to livestock, crop type, manure storage, fertilization management, and pedo-climatic conditions. Stakeholder opinions were quantified through a value elicitation process and combined with the BBN to create an integrated Influence Diagram (ID). Results indicated that effective NH3 reduction requires a comprehensive approach across the entire agri-livestock supply chain. Based on the results obtained, no single technique clearly emerged as the primary focus, rather various areas would require improvement across the agri-livestock supply chain. However, if prioritizing techniques were necessary, efforts should concentrate on stable management of infirmary animals (HCInf), overcrowding reduction by decreasing the number of animals on densely populated farms (OC-Animal), and optimization of protein in animal ration (FDProt). These measures should be combined with effective manure application through slurry injection (INJSlu) in the field. Stakeholders showed reluctance towards more expensive or innovative methods, indicating that socio-cultural perceptions and economic feasibility can heavily influence the adoption of new technologies although they proved to be among the most environmentally effective. The primary insight from applying the BBNs was that selecting effective techniques necessitates a multi-perspective approach to foster consensus among stakeholders throughout the agri-livestock supply chain.

Ammonia Exposure-Induced Immunological Damage in Chicken Lymphoid Organs via TLR-7/MYD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Ammonia (NH3) is a hazardous gas that pollutes the environment and causes irritation. Its harmful effects on chickens, including its impact on their immune system, have previously been observed. However, the mechanism by which NH3 exposure causes immune system disorders in chickens remains unclear. The bursa of Fabricius (BF) and thymus are the two main lymphoid organs responsible for the proliferation, differentiation, and selection of B- and T-lymphocytes, both critical for the innate immune response of the host. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of NH3-induced immune dysregulation in broiler chickens. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed swollen mitochondria and breakage of the large crista lining, membrane deformation, chromatin condensation, increased vacuolation, and blood vessel spasms in the NH3-exposed BF and thymus tissues. Immunofluorescent analysis showed clustering of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, indicating an active immune response to NH3 exposure. Furthermore, NH3 exposure enhanced the mRNA expressions of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), along with their proteins, and led to activation of the TLR-7/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome in chicken thymus tissues. Both mRNA and protein levels of key inflammation-related genes and proteins were upregulated in the NH3-treated group, highlighting a robust inflammatory response due to NH3 exposure. The specific findings of significant structural damage to key lymphoid organs and activation of inflammatory pathways in broiler chickens upon NH3 exposure can provide guidance for future, targeted therapies to improve poultry health.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Gas Sensing

With the continuous acceleration of industrialization, gas sensors are evolving to become portable, wearable and environmentally friendly. However, traditional gas sensors rely on external power supply, which severely limits their applications in various industries. As an innovative and environmentally adaptable power generation technology, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can be integrated with gas sensors to leverage the benefits of both technologies for efficient and environmentally friendly self-powered gas sensing. This paper delves into the basic principles and current research frontiers of the TENG-based self-powered gas sensor, focusing particularly on innovative applications in environmental safety monitoring, healthcare, as well as emerging fields such as food safety assurance and smart agriculture. It emphasizes the significant advantages of TENG-based self-powered gas sensor systems in promoting environmental sustainability, achieving efficient sensing at room temperature, and driving technological innovations in wearable devices. It also objectively analyzes the technical challenges, including issues related to performance enhancement, theoretical refinement, and application expansion, and provides targeted strategies and future research directions aimed at paving the way for continuous progress and widespread applications in the field of self-powered gas sensors.

Understanding the spatial patterns of atmospheric ammonia trends in South Asia

Ammonia (NH3) is the most abundant alkaline gas in the atmosphere, mainly emitted by agricultural activities. NH3 readily reacts with other atmospheric acidic pollutants, such as the oxidation products of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), to create fine particulate matter, which has far-reaching effects on human health and ecosystems. Here, we investigated long-term atmospheric NH3 trends in South Asia (SA) using satellite observations from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). We analyzed 15 years (2008-2022) of IASI-NH3 retrievals against climate, biophysical, and chemical variables using an ensemble of multivariate statistical methods to identify the major factors driving the observed patterns in the region. Trend analysis of IASI-NH3 data reveals a significant rise in atmospheric NH3 over 51 % of SA plains, but a downward trend over 31 % of the region. Spatial correlation analysis reveals that biophysical factors, representing cropland expansion and agriculture intensification, have the highest positive correlation over 56 % of SA plains experiencing positive NH3 trends. However, our results reveal that the chemical conversion of NH3 to ammonium compounds, driven by the positive trends in NOₓ and SO2 pollution, is driving the apparently declining trend of NH3 in the other regions. Our results provide important insights into the NH3 trends detected by satellite data and can better inform the policy design aimed at reducing NH3 emissions and improving air quality for developing regions of the world.

A bottom-up agricultural emissions inventory and its analysis via CMAQ and IASI-NH3

The global increase in population has led to higher emissions from livestock and synthetic fertilizers. This study investigates the impact of agricultural ammonia emissions on NH3 concentrations and provides insights into PM2.5 levels and their components in agriculturally intensified areas. We developed a bottom-up emission inventory focused on fertilizer application over croplands and livestock, instead of relying on the EMEP database. This approach utilized an improved spatial and temporal distribution of these emissions. We compared annual total NH3 emissions from livestock and fertilizer, estimated at 598.5 kt and 187.2 kt in the EMEP inventory (Base case), and 245.2 kt and 536 kt in the bottom-up inventory (Scenario case). Using the CMAQ modelling framework, we estimated atmospheric concentrations for both cases and evaluated the model results by comparing them with IASI-NH3 satellite retrievals. This comparison revealed significant differences in column concentrations between the Base and Scenario cases, with the Scenario case showing substantial improvement. Over a period of seven months, which contributed 80 % of the annual agricultural emissions for the Scenario case, the domain averages of NH3 were 3.02 × 1015, 4.15 × 1015, and 4.17 × 1015 molecules/cm2 for the Base and Scenario cases and IASI-NH3, respectively. The Scenario case closely matched IASI measurements, indicating a more accurate representation of NH3 emissions and concentrations. This enhanced reliability underscores the effectiveness of the bottom-up inventory approach. Additionally, using the CMAQ model, we found that in the IASI hotspots, the averages were 1.67 μg/m3 for sulfate, 0.57 μg/m3 for nitrate, and 0.62 μg/m3 for ammonium, with a total PM2.5 mean of 10.45 μg/m3.

Successful NH3 abatement policies and regulations in German agriculture

Anthropogenic ammonia (NH3) emissions, of which about 95 % are from agriculture, have led to environmental pollution, resulting in tremendous damage to human health and ecosystems. Thus, the NEC Directive 2016/2284/EU sets national reduction targets for NH3 emissions in individual EU countries. To implement the NEC Directive for NH3 emission targets, Germany amended the Fertilizer Application Ordinance in 2017 and 2020 (DüV_amended) and set the air pollution control regulation, Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA_Luft). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the DüV_amended on NH3 mitigation from applying livestock manure, digestates, synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers, and TA_Luft on housing and storage. This study showed that Germany reached the first national NH3 reduction target in 2020, as set by the NEC directive. The German DüV_amended, a significant policy change, has profoundly impacted NH3 emission mitigation from agriculture after 2017 by implementing measures aimed directly at NH3 reduction, reducing N surpluses, and improving N use efficiency. The reduction in NH3 emissions from synthetic N fertilizers between 2016 and 2022 contributed about 51 % to the decrease from the agricultural sector over the same period. Among the synthetic fertilizers, NH3 reduction from urea between 2016 and 2022 accounted for around 83 % of the total reduction from synthetic N, indicating that the NH3 emissions from urea fertilizer by reducing urea application and mandating urea to be incorporated immediately or to be stabilized with urease inhibitors played a crucial role in the sharp decrease in NH3 emissions over the last years in Germany. Achieving a high yield by lowering the synthetic N rate in this study strongly suggests that optimal reduction in N rate does not necessarily result in yield losses but rather in a pivotal relationship between the agronomic and environmental performance and indicates that the DüV_amended was an effective measure that can reduce the NH3 emissions. Over 80 % of Germany's annual agricultural NH3 emissions in 2021 and 2022 originated from livestock and digestates from energy crops. Mandatory close to the soil band application of slurry and digestates on cultivated cropland since 2020 reduced NH3 emissions. In addition, banning of broadcast application of slurry to grassland and manure incorporation within one hour on uncultivated soils will become mandatory in 2025 to comply with NEC 2030´s target of 29 % NH3 reduction relative to 2005. The recent German air pollution control regulation (TA_Luft) enforces abatement measures such as air purifiers in large poultry and pig housings and covered storage of slurry and digestate storages of large farms. The results of the German NH3 abatement strategy for synthetic N fertilizers may help reduce NH3 emissions worldwide, especially for countries consuming high amounts of urea fertilizers.

Flexible ammonium ion-selective electrode based on inkjet-printed graphene solid contact

Miniaturization and mass-production of potentiometric sensor systems is paving the way towards distributed environmental sensing, on-body measurements and industrial process monitoring. Inkjet printing is gaining popularity as a highly adaptable and scalable production technique. Presented here is a scalable and low-cost route for flexible solid-contact ammonium ion-selective electrode fabrication by inkjet printing. Utilization of inkjet-printed melamine-intercalated graphene nanosheets as the solid-contact material significantly improved charge transport, while evading the detrimental water-layer formation. External polarization was investigated as a means of improving the inter-electrode reproducibility: the standard deviations of E0 values were reduced after electrode polarization, the linear region of the response was extended to the range 10-1-10-6 M of NH4Cl and LODs reduced to 0.88 ± 0.17 μM. Finally, we have shown that the electrodes are adequate for measurements in a complex real sample: ammonium concentration was determined in landfill leachate water, with less than 4 % deviation from the reference method.

Optical Fiber HMS Ammonia Sensor with Cellular-like N-CQDs/MgxZn1-xO at Room Temperature

This paper presents an optical fiber hollow malposition structure (HMS) elaborated with cellular-like N-CQDs/MgxZn1-xO for detecting ammonia (NH3) at room temperature. The gas detection was realized by combining the HMS to excite the surface evanescent field on the outer surface of the hollow core fiber (HCF) and the surface-coated cellular-like N-CQDs/MgxZn1-xO material for improving sensitivity. Experimental results demonstrate that the sensor coated with N-CQDs/Mg0.2Zn0.8O exhibits the highest sensitivity, reaching 8.9 pm/ppm, which is 11.6 times higher than that with Mg0.2Zn0.8O. Additionally, the NH3 sensor can determine a minimum concentration of 1 ppm and has response and recovery times of 6.2 and 7.1 s, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that N-CQDs reduces the bandgap of the composite material and increase the carrier concentration on its surface, thereby enhancing gas adsorption capacity. The intrinsic characteristics of the proposed sensor including small size, high sensitivity, and good stability reveal its promising prospects in detecting low concentrations of NH3.

Spatial and temporal changes of air quality in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2022 and model prediction

This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of air quality in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2022. The Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a seasonal pattern, with higher values in winter due to temperature inversions and heating emissions, and lower values in summer aided by favorable dispersion conditions. The AQI improved significantly, decreasing by approximately 39.4 % from 6.44 to 3.90. Coastal cities exhibited better air quality than inland areas, influenced by industrial activities and geographical features. For instance, Zibo's geography restricts pollutant dispersion, resulting in poor air quality. CO levels remained stable, while O3 increased seasonally due to photochemical reactions in summer, with correlation coefficients indicating a strong positive correlation with temperature (r = 0.65). Winter saw elevated NO2 levels linked to heating and vehicular emissions, with an observed increase in correlation with AQI (r = 0.78). PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were higher in colder months due to heating and atmospheric dust, showing a significant decrease of 45 % and 40 %, respectively, over the study period. Predictive modeling forecasts continued air quality improvements, contingent on sustained policy enforcement and technological advancements. This approach provides a comprehensive framework for future air quality management and improvement.

Resistive Gas Sensors Based on 2D TMDs and MXenes

ConspectusGas sensors are used in various applications to sense toxic gases, mainly for enhanced safety. Resistive sensors are particularly popular owing to their ability to detect trace amounts of gases, high stability, fast response times, and affordability. Semiconducting metal oxides are commonly employed in the fabrication of resistive gas sensors. However, these sensors often require high working temperatures, bringing about increased energy consumption and reduced selectivity. Furthermore, they do not have enough flexibility, and their performance is significantly decreased under bending, stretching, or twisting. To address these challenges, alternative materials capable of operating at lower temperatures with high flexibility are needed. Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as MXenes and transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) offer high surface area and conductivity owing to their unique 2D structure, making them promising candidates for realization of resistive gas sensors. Nevertheless, their sensing performance in pristine form is typically weak and unacceptable, particularly in terms of response, selectivity, and recovery time (trec). To overcome these drawbacks, several strategies can be employed to enhance their sensing properties. Noble-metal decoration such as (Au, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ag) is a highly promising method, in which the catalytic effects of noble metals as well as formation of potential barriers with MXenes or TMDs eventually contribute to boosted response. Additionally, bimetallic noble metals such as Pt-Pd and Au/Pd with their synergistic properties can further improve sensor performance. Ion implantation is another feasible approach, involving doping of sensing materials with the desired concentration of dopants through control over the energy and dosage of the irradiation ions as well as creation of structural defects such as oxygen vacancies through high-energy ion-beam irradiation, contributing to enhanced sensing capabilities. The formation of core-shell structures is also effective, creating numerous interfaces between core and shell materials that optimize the sensing characteristics. However, the shell thickness needs to be carefully optimized to achieve the best sensing output. To reduce energy consumption, sensors can operate in a self-heating condition where an external voltage is applied to the electrodes, significantly lowering the power requirements. This enables sensors to function in energy-constrained environments, such as remote or low-energy areas. An important advantage of 2D MXenes and TMDs is their high mechanical flexibility. Unlike semiconducting metal oxides that lack mechanical flexibility, MXenes and TMDs can maintain their sensing performance even when integrated onto flexible substrates and subjected to bending, tilting, or stretching. This flexibility makes them ideal for fabricating flexible and portable gas sensors that rigid sensors cannot achieve.

Optimized Ammonia-Sensing Electrode with CeO2/rGO Nano-Composite Coating Synthesized by Focused Laser Ablation in Liquid

This study investigated the synthesis of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and composites with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for the enhanced electrochemical sensing of ammonia. CeO2 NPs were prepared by the focused laser ablation in liquid (LAL) method, which enabled the production of high-purity, spherical nanoparticles with a uniform dispersion and sizes under 50 nm in a short time. The effects of varying irradiation fluence and time on the nanoparticle size, production yield, and dispersion were systematically studied. The synthesized CeO2 NPs were doped with rGO to form CeO2/rGO composites, which were drop casted to modify the glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). The CeO2/rGO-GCE electrodes exhibited superior electrochemical properties compared with single-component electrodes, which demonstrated the significant potential for ammonia detection, especially at a 4 J/cm2 fluence. The CeO2/rGO composites showed uniformly dispersed CeO2 NPs between the rGO sheets, which enhanced the conductivity, as confirmed by SEM, EDS mapping, and XRD analysis. Cyclic voltammetry data demonstrated superior electrochemical activity of the CeO2/rGO composite electrodes, with the 2rGO/1CeO2 ratio showing the highest current response and sensitivity. The CV response to varying ammonia concentrations exhibited a linear relationship, indicating the electrode's capability for accurate quantification. These findings highlight the effectiveness of focused laser ablation in enhancing nanoparticle synthesis and the promising synergistic effects of CeO2 and rGO in developing high-performance electrochemical sensors.

EAACI guidelines on environmental science for allergy and asthma: The impact of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants on asthma-related outcomes and recommendations for mitigation measures

The EAACI Guidelines on the impact of short-term exposure to outdoor pollutants on asthma-related outcomes provide recommendations for prevention, patient care and mitigation in a framework supporting rational decisions for healthcare professionals and patients to individualize and improve asthma management and for policymakers and regulators as an evidence-informed reference to help setting legally binding standards and goals for outdoor air quality at international, national and local levels. The Guideline was developed using the GRADE approach and evaluated outdoor pollutants referenced in the current Air Quality Guideline of the World Health Organization as single or mixed pollutants and outdoor pesticides. Short-term exposure to all pollutants evaluated increases the risk of asthma-related adverse outcomes, especially hospital admissions and emergency department visits (moderate certainty of evidence at specific lag days). There is limited evidence for the impact of traffic-related air pollution and outdoor pesticides exposure as well as for the interventions to reduce emissions. Due to the quality of evidence, conditional recommendations were formulated for all pollutants and for the interventions reducing outdoor air pollution. Asthma management counselled by the current EAACI guidelines can improve asthma-related outcomes but global measures for clean air are needed to achieve significant impact.

Chemical characterization of volatile organic compounds emitted by animal manure

Animal manure is considered a valuable organic fertilizer due to its important nutrient content enhancing soil fertility and plant growth in agriculture. Besides its beneficial role as fertilizer, animal manure represents a significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), playing a significant role in atmospheric chemistry. Understanding the composition of VOCs Understanding VOCs from animal manure is crucial for assessing their environmental impact, as they can cause air pollution, odors, and harm to human health and ecosystems. Laboratory studies enhance field measurements by providing a precise inventory of manure emissions, addressing gaps in existing literature. Both approaches complement each other in advancing our understanding of manure emissions. In this context, we conducted an experimental study involving various animal manures (cow, horse, sheep, and goat) taken from a farm in Grignon (near Paris, France). We employed atmospheric simulation chambers within a controlled laboratory environment. The analysis of VOCs involved the combination of Proton Transfer Reaction-Quadrupole ion guide-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-QiTOF-MS) and Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Using PTR-QiTOF-MS, 368 compounds were detected and quantified within the manure samples. The complementary analysis by TD-GC-MS enhanced our identification of VOCs. Our findings revealed various chemical groups of VOCs, including oxygenated compounds (e.g., ethanol, cresol, acetaldehyde, etc.), nitrogenated compounds (ammonia, trimethylamine, etc.), sulfur compounds (methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, etc.), aromatic compounds (phenols and indoles), terpenes (isoprene, D-limonene, etc.) and halogenated compounds. Cow manure exhibited the highest VOC emission fluxes, followed by goat, sheep, and horse manures. Notably, oxygenated VOCs were dominant contributors to total VOC emission fluxes in all samples. Statistical analysis highlighted the distinct nature of cow manure emissions, characterized by oxygenated compounds and nitrogenated compounds. In addition, goat manure was isolated from the other samples with high emissions of compounds having both oxygen and nitrogen atoms in their molecular formulas (e.g., CH3NO2). The experimental dataset obtained in this study provides an inventory reference for both VOCs and their emission fluxes in animal manures. Furthermore, it highlights odorant compounds and VOCs that serve as atmospheric aerosol precursor. Future studies can explore the effectiveness of various manure treatment methods to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Advanced Materials for NH3 Capture: Interaction Sites and Transport Pathways

Ammonia (NH3) is a carbon-free, hydrogen-rich chemical related to global food safety, clean energy, and environmental protection. As an essential technology for meeting the requirements raised by such issues, NH3 capture has been intensively explored by researchers in both fundamental and applied fields. The four typical methods used are (1) solvent absorption by ionic liquids and their derivatives, (2) adsorption by porous solids, (3) ab-adsorption by porous liquids, and (4) membrane separation. Rooted in the development of advanced materials for NH3 capture, we conducted a coherent review of the design of different materials, mainly in the past 5 years, their interactions with NH3 molecules and construction of transport pathways, as well as the structure-property relationship, with specific examples discussed. Finally, the challenges in current research and future worthwhile directions for NH3 capture materials are proposed.

A critical review on characterization, human health risk assessment and mitigation of malodorous gaseous emission during the composting process

Composting has emerged as a suitable method to convert or transform organic waste including manure, green waste, and food waste into valuable products with several advantages, such as high efficiency, cost feasibility, and being environmentally friendly. However, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mainly malodorous gases, are the major concern and challenges to overcome in facilitating composting. Ammonia (NH3) and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and methyl mercaptan (CH4S), primarily contributed to the malodorous gases emission during the entire composting process due to their low olfactory threshold. These compounds are mainly emitted at the thermophilic phase, accounting for over 70% of total gas emissions during the whole process, whereas methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are commonly detected during the mesophilic and cooling phases. Therefore, the human health risk assessment of malodorous gases using various indexes such as ECi (maximum exposure concentration for an individual volatile compound EC), HR (non-carcinogenic risk), and CR (carcinogenic risk) has been evaluated and discussed. Also, several strategies such as maintaining optimal operating conditions, and adding bulking agents and additives (e.g., biochar and zeolite) to reduce malodorous emissions have been pointed out and highlighted. Biochar has specific adsorption properties such as high surface area and high porosity and contains various functional groups that can adsorb up to 60%-70% of malodorous gases emitted from composting. Notably, biofiltration emerged as a resilient and cost-effective technique, achieving up to 90% reduction in malodorous gases at the end-of-pipe. This study offers a comprehensive insight into the characterization of malodorous emissions during composting. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to address these issues on a larger scale and provides a promising outlook for future research.

Atmospheric reduced nitrogen: Sources, transformations, effects, and management

Human activities have increased atmospheric emissions and deposition of oxidized and reduced forms of nitrogen, but emission control programs have largely focused on oxidized nitrogen. As a result, in many regions of the world emissions of oxidized nitrogen are decreasing while emissions of reduced nitrogen are increasing. Emissions of reduced nitrogen largely originate from livestock waste and fertilizer application, with contributions from transportation sources in urban areas. Observations suggest a discrepancy between trends in emissions and deposition of reduced nitrogen in the U.S., likely due to an underestimate in emissions. In the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with oxides of sulfur and nitrogen to form fine particulate matter that impairs health and visibility and affects climate forcings. Recent reductions in emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides have limited partitioning with ammonia, decreasing long-range transport. Continuing research is needed to improve understanding of how shifting emissions alter formation of secondary particulates and patterns of transport and deposition of reactive nitrogen. Satellite remote sensing has potential for monitoring atmospheric concentrations and emissions of ammonia, but there remains a need to maintain and strengthen ground-based measurements and continue development of chemical transport models. Elevated nitrogen deposition has decreased plant and soil microbial biodiversity and altered the biogeochemical function of terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems. Further study is needed on differential effects of oxidized versus reduced nitrogen and pathways and timescales of ecosystem recovery from elevated nitrogen deposition. Decreases in deposition of reduced nitrogen could alleviate exceedances of critical loads for terrestrial and freshwater indicators in many U.S. areas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should consider using critical loads as a basis for setting standards to protect public welfare and ecosystems. The U.S. and other countries might look to European experience for approaches to control emissions of reduced nitrogen from agricultural and transportation sectors.Implications: In this Critical Review we synthesize research on effects, air emissions, environmental transformations, and management of reduced forms of nitrogen. Emissions of reduced nitrogen affect human health, the structure and function of ecosystems, and climatic forcings. While emissions of oxidized forms of nitrogen are regulated in the U.S., controls on reduced forms are largely absent. Decreases in emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides coupled with increases in ammonia are shifting the gas-particle partitioning of ammonia and decreasing long-range atmospheric transport of reduced nitrogen. Effort is needed to understand, monitor, and manage emissions of reduced nitrogen in a changing environment.

Resistive gas sensors for the detection of NH3gas based on 2D WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2: a review

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with a two-dimensional (2D) structure and semiconducting features are highly favorable for the production of NH3gas sensors. Among the TMD family, WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2exhibit high conductivity and a high surface area, along with high availability, reasons for which they are favored in gas-sensing studies. In this review, we have discussed the structure, synthesis, and NH3sensing characteristics of pristine, decorated, doped, and composite-based WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2gas sensors. Both experimental and theoretical studies are considered. Furthermore, both room temperature and higher temperature gas sensors are discussed. We also emphasized the gas-sensing mechanism. Thus, this review provides a reference for researchers working in the field of 2D TMD gas sensors.

Emerging Parameters Justifying a Revised Quality Concept for Cow Milk

Milk has become a staple food product globally. Traditionally, milk quality assessment has been primarily focused on hygiene and composition to ensure its safety for consumption and processing. However, in recent years, the concept of milk quality has expanded to encompass a broader range of factors. Consumers now also consider animal welfare, environmental impact, and the presence of additional beneficial components in milk when assessing its quality. This shifting consumer demand has led to increased attention on the overall production and sourcing practices of milk. Reflecting on this trend, this review critically explores such novel quality parameters, offering insights into how such practices meet the modern consumer's holistic expectations. The multifaceted aspects of milk quality are examined, revealing the intertwined relationship between milk safety, compositional integrity, and the additional health benefits provided by milk's bioactive properties. By embracing sustainable farming practices, dairy farmers and processors are encouraged not only to fulfill but to anticipate consumer standards for premium milk quality. This comprehensive approach to milk quality underscores the necessity of adapting dairy production to address the evolving nutritional landscape and consumption patterns.

Progress Made in Non-Metallic-Doped Materials for Electrocatalytic Reduction in Ammonia Production

The electrocatalytic production of ammonia has garnered considerable interest as a potentially sustainable technology for ammonia synthesis. Recently, non-metallic-doped materials have emerged as promising electrochemical catalysts for this purpose. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest research on non-metallic-doped materials for electrocatalytic ammonia production. Researchers have engineered a variety of materials, doped with non-metals such as nitrogen (N), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), into different forms and structures to enhance their electrocatalytic activity and selectivity. A comparison among different non-metallic dopants reveals their distinct effects on the electrocatalytic performance for ammonia production. For instance, N-doping has shown enhanced activity owing to the introduction of nitrogen vacancies (NVs) and improved charge transfer kinetics. B-doping has demonstrated improved selectivity and stability, which is attributed to the formation of active sites and the suppression of competing reactions. P-doping has exhibited increased ammonia generation rates and Faradaic efficiencies, likely due to the modification of the electronic structure and surface properties. S-doping has shown potential for enhancing electrocatalytic performance, although further investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. These comparisons provide valuable insights for researchers to conduct in-depth studies focusing on specific non-metallic dopants, exploring their unique properties, and optimizing their performance for electrocatalytic ammonia production. However, we consider it a priority to provide insight into the recent progress made in non-metal-doped materials and their potential for enabling long-term and efficient electrochemical ammonia production. Additionally, this paper discusses the synthetic procedures used to produce non-metal-doped materials and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each method. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the electrochemical performance of these materials, including their Faradaic efficiencies, ammonia yield rate, and selectivity. It examines the challenges and prospects of developing non-metallic-doped materials for electrocatalytic ammonia production and suggests future research directions.

Inorganic PM2.5 reduction in Kanto, Japan: The role of ammonia and its emission sources control strategies

Ammonia (NH3) is attracting attention as a carbon-free energy source and a significant precursor to inorganic PM2.5 (hereafter PM2.5), aside from NOx and SOx. Since the emission of NH3 has often been overlooked compared to NOx and SOx, this study aims to reveal the role of NH3 and its emission control on PM2.5 in Kanto, Japan. With the aid of gas ratio (GR) quantitatively defining the stoichiometry between the three precursors to PM2.5, and the aid of atmospheric modeling software ADMER-PRO, coupled with thermodynamics calculations, the spatiotemporal distribution along with PM2.5 reduction under different NH3 emission cutoff strategies in Kanto had been revealed for the first time. The cutoff of NH3 emission could effectively reduce the PM2.5 concentration, with sources originated from agriculture, human/pet activities, and vehicle sources, overall giving a 93.32% PM2.5 reduction. Different cutoff strategies lead to distinct reduction efficiencies of the overall and local PM2.5 concentrations, with GR as a crucial factor. The regions with GR ∼1, are sensitive to the NH3 concentration for forming PM2.5, at which the NH3 reduction strategies should be applied with high priority. On the other hand, installing a new NH3 emission source should be avoided in the region with GR < 1, suppressing the so-yielded PM2.5 pollution. The future PM2.5 pollution control related to the NH3 emission control strategies based on GR, which is stoichiometry-based and applicable to regions other than Kanto, has been discussed.

Mitigating air pollution benefits multiple sustainable development goals in China

Achieving the United nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a significant challenge, necessitating urgent and prioritized strategies. Among the various challenges, air pollution continues to pose one of the most substantial threats to the SDGs due to its widespread adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. However, the connections between air pollution and the SDGs have often been overlooked. This study reveals that out of the 169 SDG targets, 71 are adversely impacted by air pollution, while only 6 show potential positive effects. In China, two major atmospheric nitrogen pollutants, ammonia and nitrogen oxides, resulted in an economic loss of 400 billion United States Dollar (USD) in 2020, which could be reduced by 33% and 34% by 2030, respectively. It would enhance the progress towards SDGs in China by 14%, directly contributing to the achievement of SDGs 1 to 6 and 11 to 15. This improvement is estimated to yield overall benefits totaling 119 billion USD, exceeded the total implementation cost of 82 billion USD with ammonia as the preferential mitigation target. This study underscores the importance of robust scientific evidence in integrated policies aimed at aligning improvements in environmental quality with the priorities of sustainable development.

Environmental pollutants and exosomes: A new paradigm in environmental health and disease

This study investigates the intricate interplay between environmental pollutants and exosomes, shedding light on a novel paradigm in environmental health and disease. Cellular stress, induced by environmental toxicants or disease, significantly impacts the production and composition of exosomes, crucial mediators of intercellular communication. The heat shock response (HSR) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, activated during cellular stress, profoundly influence exosome generation, cargo sorting, and function, shaping intercellular communication and stress responses. Environmental pollutants, particularly lipophilic ones, directly interact with exosome lipid bilayers, potentially affecting membrane stability, release, and cellular uptake. The study reveals that exposure to environmental contaminants induces significant changes in exosomal proteins, miRNAs, and lipids, impacting cellular function and health. Understanding the impact of environmental pollutants on exosomal cargo holds promise for biomarkers of exposure, enabling non-invasive sample collection and real-time insights into ongoing cellular responses. This research explores the potential of exosomal biomarkers for early detection of health effects, assessing treatment efficacy, and population-wide screening. Overcoming challenges requires advanced isolation techniques, standardized protocols, and machine learning for data analysis. Integration with omics technologies enhances comprehensive molecular analysis, offering a holistic understanding of the complex regulatory network influenced by environmental pollutants. The study underscores the capability of exosomes in circulation as promising biomarkers for assessing environmental exposure and systemic health effects, contributing to advancements in environmental health research and disease prevention.

Ammonia oxidation by in-situ chloride electrolysis in etching wastewater of semiconductor manufacturing using RuSnOx/Ti electrode: Effect of plating mode and metal ratio

The indirect chloride-mediated ammonia oxidation encounters challenges in maintaining the effectiveness of metal oxide anodes when treating wastewaters with complex compositions. This study aims to develop a highly stable anode with RuO2-SnO2 coatings for treating an etching effluent from semiconductor manufacturing, which majorly contains NH3 and organic compounds. The RuSnOx/Ti electrode was synthesized using wet impregnation and calcination processes. The metal oxide configuration on Ti plate substrate was tuned by varying the step-dipping process in RuCl3 and SnCl4 baths. A 10-day continuous-flow electrolysis was conducted for studying the ammonia removal and chlorine yield under variable conditions, including detention, pH, current density, and initial ammonia and chloride concentrations. In the RuSnOx coatings, the configuration comprising RuO2 nanorods as the surface layer and an intermediate layer of SnO2 crystallites (by plating Ru3+ for three times to cover one Sn4+ layer, denoted as the Ru3Sn/Ti electrode) exhibited the best durability for acid washing, along with relatively high Faradaic efficiency and low energy consumption. To further improve the treatability of real wastewater (NH3-N = 634 mg L-1, chemical oxygen demand (COD) = 6700 mg L-1, Cl- = 2000 mg L-1, pH 11), the duel-cell electrolyzers were constructed in series under a current density of 30 mA cm-2 and 45 min detention. Ultimately, removals of NH3 and COD reached 95.8% and 76.3%, respectively, with successful limitation of chloramine formation.

Life cycle assessment for evaluation of novel solvents and technologies: A case study of flavonoids extraction from Ginkgo biloba leaves

Innovative solvents such as deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and process intensification technologies assisted by ultrasound have been demonstrated to be promising pathways for enhancing solid-liquid extraction. Nevertheless, quantitative and systematic knowledge of their environmental impact is still limited. In this work, a case study of flavonoids extraction from Ginkgo biloba leaves was evaluated by using life cycle assessment (LCA) for comparison of three extraction scenarios. The first used DES as extractant (DESE), and the other two adopted ethanol, including heat reflux extraction (HRE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Among eight key midpoints investigated, all these from UAE were 10.0 %-80.0 % lower than from DESE and HRE except water consumption. The UAE was the eco-friendliest option due to its higher extraction yield, shorter duration and lower solvent consumption. The DESE exhibited the lowest water consumption, the highest freshwater ecotoxicity and human carcinogenic toxicity, while HRE had the highest impacts for the other 6 midpoints. Moreover, solvent production was the key contributor for all the categories. The standardized sensitivity analysis showed that the overall environmental footprint can be further decreased by 15.4 % for DESE pathways via substituting choline chloride/glycerine with choline chloride/ethylene glycol. Furthermore, all pathways using DESs had higher standardized impacts than those employing ethanol from sugarcane or wood. Replacing ethanol from maize with other feedstocks can significantly lessen the overall impacts, among which the UAE using ethanol from sugarcane demonstrated the least environmental impacts. The promotion of DESs as "green and sustainable" alternative to traditional solvents requires careful consideration.

Conditioner application improves bedding quality and bacterial composition with potential beneficial impacts for dairy cow's health

Recycled manure solids (RMS) is used as bedding material in cow housing but can be at risk for pathogens development. Cows spend several hours per day lying down, contributing to the transfer of potential mastitis pathogens from the bedding to the udder. The effect of a bacterial conditioner (Manure Pro, MP) application was studied on RMS-bedding and milk qualities and on animal health. MP product was applied on bedding once a week for 3 months. Bedding and teat skin samples were collected from Control and MP groups at D01, D51, and D90 and analyzed through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. MP application modified bacterial profiles and diversity. Control bedding was significantly associated with potential mastitis pathogens, while no taxa of potential health risk were significantly detected in MP beddings. Functional prediction identified enrichment of metabolic pathways of agronomic interest in MP beddings. Significant associations with potential mastitis pathogens were mainly observed in Control teat skin samples. Finally, significantly better hygiene and lower Somatic Cell Counts in milk were observed for cows from MP group, while no group impact was observed on milk quality and microbiota. No dissemination of MP strains was observed from bedding to teats or milk.

IMPORTANCE

The use of Manure Pro (MP) conditioner improved recycled manure solids-bedding quality and this higher sanitary condition had further impacts on dairy cows' health with less potential mastitis pathogens significantly associated with bedding and teat skin samples of animals from MP group. The animals also presented an improved inflammation status, while milk quality was not modified. The use of MP conditioner on bedding may be of interest in controlling the risk of mastitis onset for dairy cows and further associated costs.

Air, land, and water pollutants and public health expenditures: Empirical data from selected EU countries in the transport sector

The increase in economic activity, particularly in transport, leads to a significant increase in emissions of pollutants, such as ammonia, arsenic and cadmium, at the European Union (EU) level. This can seriously impact human health and, consequently, public health spending. Based on data from 15 European Union countries from 1992 to 2020, a panel co-integration approach is used to study these pollutants' short- and long-term co-movements and per capita health expenditure. The results show a long-term relationship between ammonia, arsenic and cadmium emissions and per capita health spending, as they are panel-cointegrated. Ammonia and cadmium emissions exert a statistically significant positive effect on health expenditure in the short run, and arsenic emissions have a statistically significant positive impact in the long run. The forecast assessment of reductions in health spending resulting from policies to reduce emissions of air, land and water pollutants, such as ammonia, arsenic and cadmium, from the transport sector supports investments in its policies that reduce pressure on health spending. The reduction in annual healthcare expenditure is greater when these reductions are made sooner and more severely. Indeed, varying the reduction in emissions for each pollutant by 10% and 100%, respectively, from the first year for all countries over a 3-year period results in an average annual reduction in health spending of 2.05% and 51.02%, respectively. However, if we wait until the third year, the annual reduction is only 0.77% and 17.63% respectively.

Zeolite application mitigates NH3 and N2O emissions from pig slurry-applied field and improves nitrogen use efficiency in Italian ryegrass-maize crop rotation system for forage production

The present study aimed to assess the efficiency of zeolite in mitigating the nitrogen (N) losses through ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from pig slurry (PS) applied to Italian ryegrass (IRG)-maize fields under a crop rotation system and the consequent effect on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for forage production. PS was applied at rates of 150 and 200 kg N ha-1 for the IRG and maize growing seasons, respectively, with or without zeolite. Soil mineral N content and NH3 and N2O emissions were measured periodically throughout the year-round cultivation of IRG and maize. Forage yield and nutritional composition were also analyzed at the harvest time of each crop. The PS with/without zeolite application effects were interpreted by comparison with those obtained for the negative control (no-N fertilization). Soil ammonium (NH4+) content in the PS-applied plots sharply increased within the first week, then progressively decreased in both the IRG and maize growing seasons. Soil NH4+ contents in the zeolite-amended plots were higher compared to the treatment without zeolite except for the first 1 or 2 weeks after PS application when soil nitrate (NO3-) contents significantly decreased. The increase in soil NH4+ content as affected by zeolite application was more distinct in the maize growing season than in the IRG growing season. NH3 emission was predominant at the early 2 weeks after PS application. Zeolite application reduced the cumulative emission of NH3 from PS by 16.7% and 24.4% and that of N2O by 15.6% and 31.5% in the IRG growing and maize growing seasons, respectively. NUE for dry matter (DM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) production significantly improved in annual yield basis of the IRG-maize cropping. Zeolite application in PS-applied field may represent effective management in mitigating N losses through odorous NH3 and greenhouse gas (N2O) emissions, thereby improving NUE forage production.

Gelato: a new hybrid deep learning-based Informer model for multivariate air pollution prediction

The increase in air pollutants and its adverse effects on human health and the environment has raised significant concerns. This implies the necessity of predicting air pollutant levels. Numerous studies have aimed to provide new models for more accurate prediction of air pollutants such as CO2, O3, and PM2.5. Most of the models used in the literature are deep learning models with Transformers being the best for time series prediction. However, there is still a need to enhance accuracy in air pollution prediction using Transformers. Alongside the need for increased accuracy, there is a significant demand for predicting a broader spectrum of air pollutants. To encounter this challenge, this paper proposes a new hybrid deep learning-based Informer model called "Gelato" for multivariate air pollution prediction. Gelato takes a leap forward by taking several air pollutants into consideration simultaneously. Besides introducing new changes to the Informer structure as the base model, Gelato utilizes Particle Swarm Optimization for hyperparameter optimization. Moreover, XGBoost is used at the final stage to achieve minimal errors. Applying the proposed model on a dataset containing eight important air pollutants, including CO2, O3, NO, NO2, SO2, PM10, NH3, and PM2.5, the Gelato performance is assessed. Comparing the results of Gelato with other models shows Gelato's superiority over them, proving it is a high-confidence model for multivariate air pollution prediction.

Model Adaptation and Validation for Estimating Methane and Ammonia Emissions from Fattening Pig Houses: Effect of Manure Management System

This paper describes a model for the prediction of methane and ammonia emissions from fattening pig houses. This model was validated with continuous and discrete measurements using a reference method from two manure management systems (MMS): long storage (LS) in deep pits and short storage (SS) by daily flushing of a shallow pit with sloped walls and partial manure dilution. The average calculated methane and ammonia emissions corresponded well with the measured values. Based on the calculated and measured results, the average calculated CH4 emission (18.5 and 4.3 kg yr-1 per pig place) was in between the means from the continuous data from sensors (15.9 and 5.6 kg yr-1 per pig place) and the means from the discrete measurements using the reference method (22.0 and 3.1 kg yr-1 per pig place) for the LS and SS systems, respectively. The average calculated NH3 emission (2.6 and 1.4 kg yr-1 per pig place) corresponded well with the continuous data (2.6 and 1.2 kg yr-1 per pig place) and the discrete measurements using the reference method (2.7 and 1.0 kg yr-1 per pig place) from LS and SS, respectively. This model was able to predict the reduction potential for methane and ammonia emissions by the application of mitigation options. Furthermore, this model can be utilized as a predictive tool, enabling timely actions to be taken based on the emission prediction. The upgraded model with robust calculation rules, extensive validations, and a simplified interface can be a useful tool to assess the current situation and the impact of mitigation measures at the farm level.