Investigating the effects of animal-specific δ15N-NH3 values volatilized from livestock waste on regional NH3 source partitioning

Dong Liu; Zhi Quan; Yingying Wang; Kai Huang; Quanping Zhang; Linlin Song; Shaonan Huang; Yanzhi Wang; Zhifeng Xun; Deze Liu; Chang Liu; Yunting Fang; Jianping Sun

Atmospheric Environment: X (Jan 2025)

Investigating the effects of animal-specific δ15N-NH3 values volatilized from livestock waste on regional NH3 source partitioning

Dong Liu,
Zhi Quan,
Yingying Wang,
Kai Huang,
Quanping Zhang,
Linlin Song,
Shaonan Huang,
Yanzhi Wang,
Zhifeng Xun,
Deze Liu,
Chang Liu,
Yunting Fang,
Jianping Sun

Affiliations

Dong Liu: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China
Zhi Quan: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Weifang Academy of Modern Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Weifang, 261041, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China; Shenyang Agro-ecosystem Experimental Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Corresponding author. Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 72, Wenhua Road, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China.
Yingying Wang: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China
Kai Huang: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China
Quanping Zhang: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China
Linlin Song: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China
Shaonan Huang: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
Yanzhi Wang: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China
Zhifeng Xun: School of Landscape Architecture, Liaoning Agricultural Vocational and Technical College, Yingkou, 115009, China
Deze Liu: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
Chang Liu: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
Yunting Fang: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China; Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shenyang, 110016, China
Jianping Sun: Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China; Corresponding author. Shenyang Jianzhu University, NO. 25, Hunnanzhong Road, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25
p. 100314

Abstract

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The natural 15N abundance of ammonia (δ15N-NH3) emitted from livestock waste within a specific area (δ15N-NH3-LW) can be used to estimate its contribution to atmospheric NH3 through an isotope mixing model. However, the limited availability of reports on δ15N-NH3-LW hinders the accuracy of regional NH3 source partitioning. In this study, we conducted research in the suburbs of Shenyang, China, and combined our results (n = 71) with data from published literature (n = 56) to develop a δ15N-NH3 spectrum emitted from cattle, pig, sheep, and poultry waste. We also explored the national and global spatial distribution of δ15N-NH3-LW based on the proportion of NH3 emissions from these four types of livestock waste. Our results showed that the δ15N-NH3 values ranged from −59.9‰ to −7.7‰, with a mean value of −27.3‰. This value was significantly lower than that from non-agricultural sources, such as coal combustion and motor vehicle exhaust, but overlapped with values from fertilizer N volatilization. Specifically, the δ15N-NH3 values emitted from cattle, pig, sheep, and poultry waste were −32.1 ± 15.9‰, −20.7 ± 7‰, −24.3 ± 5.9‰, and −19.1 ± 4.9‰, respectively. Considering regional differences in livestock farming structures, δ15N-NH3-LW exhibited a gradual decreasing trend from Southeast to Northwest across China. For example, Fujian Province, located on the southeastern coast, exhibited the highest δ15N-NH3-LW value of −19.8‰, owing to its high proportion of poultry farming, while the Tibet Autonomous Region, in the western inland, displayed the lowest δ15N-NH3-LW value of −30.8‰, due to its high proportion of cattle farming. Globally, the δ15N-NH3-LW value was highest in Southeast Asia (−23.4‰) and lowest in East Africa (−30.4‰). Overall, our study revealed significant spatial variation in δ15N-NH3-LW at both national and global scales. To more accurately assess the regional contributions of NH3 emissions from livestock waste, it is essential to use region-specific δ15N-NH3-LW values for future NH3 source partitioning.

Published in Atmospheric Environment: X

ISSN: 2590-1621 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Science: Physics: Meteorology. Climatology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/atmospheric-environment-x

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