Air quality measurements in four sheep barns part II: pollutant gas emissions

Pollutant gas emissions from animal barns affect indoor air quality, the health and well-being of farmers, and the surrounding environment. This study was carried out in four sheep barns (SB) in Bursa, an important region for animal husbandry operations. Concentrations of NH3, CO2, H2S, and CH4 were measured in four sheep barns by monitoring throughout 24 h in 1 year. Pollutant gas emissions from barns were also calculated and modeled. The average pollutant gas emissions obtained in this study were 5 kg day(-1) barn(-1) for NH3, and 18 kg day(-1) barn(-1) for CH4. The average NH3 and CH4 emissions from each barn were 2.1 and 2.7 kg day(-1) barn(-1) for SB1; 9.4 and 12.9 kg day(-1) barn(-1) for SB2; 4.0 and 3.6 kg day(-1) barn(-1) for SB3; and 4.5 21 kg day(-1) barn(-1) for SB4, respectively. There are statistically significant differences between daytime and nighttime for pollutant gas emissions. Pollutant gas emissions in the monitored barns are generally higher in summer than in other seasons. Models for estimating NH3, and CH4 emissions were developed using measured temperature and relative humidity values in the barns. These models can only be used in the Bursa region. The results of this study were compared with other studies under similar conditions in the literature.

Automated summary

This study investigated the pollutant gas emissions from four sheep barns in Bursa, Turkey. The results showed that the average NH3 and CH4 emissions were higher in summer, with NH3 emissions at 5 kg day(-1) barn(-1) and CH4 emissions at 18 kg day(-1) barn(-1). Models were developed based on temperature and relative humidity values in the barns for estimating NH3 and CH4 emissions, which are applicable specifically to the Bursa region.