Ballynahone Bog - Atmospheric ammonia concentration survey: Impacts of a new poultry farm

Abstract

Intensive poultry farming are recognised as large emission sources of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) gas. In the summer of 2014, a poultry farm was constructed on the south-western edge of Ballynahone National Park, an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI/SAC) and a Ramsar site. The sensitivity of peatland ecosystems to nitrogen deposition and the prevailing south-westerly wind in the area has led to concern that Ballynahone Bog may be adversely affected by NH3 emissions arising from the poultry livestock installation. A local-scale transect downwind of the poultry housing across the reserve and three other monitoring locations within the reserve were set up to help identify the effects of the poultry housing on NH3 emissions to the atmosphere. Monthly ammonia measurements were made before and after population of the new poultry housing. This report summarises the measurement period September 2014 – January 2018