A laboratory approach to mitigating ammonia in broiler litter material with chemical additives

Abstract

Broiler litter is a major source of ammonia (NH₃) emissions in poultry production systems, negatively impacting both animal welfare and worker health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical additives in reducing NH₃ volatilization and to identify the optimal application dosage for practical use. The research was conducted in two phases. In Phase I, four additives — aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃), clinoptilolite zeolite, sodium bisulfate (NaHSO₄), and magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) — were applied to spent broiler litter. Among them, NaHSO₄ demonstrated the highest NH₃ reduction efficiency (76.7 %). In Phase II, varying dosages of sodium bisulfate (2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 %, and 10 % w/w) were tested, with the 7.5 % application achieving the highest mitigation performance (95.0 %). Additionally, sodium bisulfate treatment improved the ammonium nitrogen content of the litter, enhancing its agronomic value as a potential organic fertilizer. The findings highlight sodium bisulfate as a promising strategy for reducing NH₃ emissions, offering both environmental and economic benefits. This approach may enhance air quality in poultry houses. It can also increase the nutrient value of litter, contributing to sustainable crop production. The laboratory-scale results offer a strong basis for future field studies. These studies are needed to validate the method under commercial production conditions.