Volatilization of Nitrogen‐Containing Compounds from Beef Cattle Areas

Abstract

The release of NH₃ plus steam‐distillable organic N compounds to the atmosphere from a small beef feedlot and a pasture was measured. Acid traps placed next to the feedlot and 0.8 km from the feedlot averaged 148 and 16 kg/ha per yr NH₃ plus steam‐distillable organic N compounds, respectively. The same traps averaged 21 and 3.3 kg/ha per yr, respectively, of organic N compounds that were not recovered by the 3‐min steam distillation procedure. Feedlot disturbances, such as manure mounding, increased volatilization of N compounds. Ammonia plus steam‐distillable organic N compounds trapped near a cattle pasture and cropland averaged 15 and 11 kg/ha per yr, respectively. Organic N compounds not recoverable by the 3‐min steam distillation were very low in the areas.Normally, steam distillation values represent only NH₃; however, in this case, other N‐containing compounds were distilled over and titrated as NH₃.