Ammonia - NH3

Ammonia is a colourless gas that has a strong pungent odour in high concentrations. It is a compound of nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2).

What is ammonia?

There are two types of harmful compounds of nitrogen: 

• nitrogen oxides (NOx) 
• ​ammonia (NH3)

In short, the word 'nitrogen' is often used when talking about (one of) these compounds.
After ammonia has been emitted, it remains in the atmosphere for a few hours, during which time wind can spread the gas over large distances. This allows ammonia to hang in the air for miles beyond where it was emitted. Next ammonia can precipitate on the ground, which we call deposition. As ammonia is used for various products, such as fertilisers and cleaning products, it is produced in large quantities. In addition to this production, ammonia is emitted from landfills, sewage treatment plants and birds, among other things. Ammonia is also produced when an animal eats protein, which causes it to end up in manure. 
Some of that ammonia can be reused to fertilise pastures. However, ammonia can also be released and end up in the air. This ammonia in the air is spread by the wind and can precipitate in areas where there is normally little or no nitrogen, such as drifting sands and heathlands, with all the consequences this entails.

What is the problem of ammonia?

Too much ammonia in the air is bad for people's health and reduces biodiversity.

What ammonia does in nature

Nature needs ammonia, but an excess has a negative effect on biodiversity. This is because the wind spreads ammonia over long distances, causing too much ammonia to end up in nature reserves. There, some plants, such as grasses and nettles, grow extra vigorously because of this excess, with the result that vulnerable plants are displaced. As a result, insects, birds and other animals dependent on these plants disappear. This is how biodiversity is diminished.

What ammonia does to human health

Some people can be very bothered by the strong smell of ammonia. In addition, ammonia can affect mucous membranes and respiratory organs, among other things, when inhaled. Ammonia can also strongly irritate eyes.
In addition, ammonia in the air can be converted into particulate matter. This happens when it comes into contact with nitrogen and sulphur oxides. This particulate matter is harmful to humans, so harmful that it amounts to an average loss of life expectancy of nine months. It also worsens existing cardiovascular, respiratory and pulmonary diseases. There is no safe level of particulate matter: any concentration is bad for humans.

How do satellite data help with the ammonia problem?

Satellite data can indicate the concentration of ammonia in the air. It is estimated that about 40% of nitrogen in nature reserves comes from agriculture, most of which is due to ammonia emissions. For this reason, farmers are charged with the task of drastically reducing their emissions. Since satellite data provides accurate information on average gas values in a given area, such as a meadow, it is possible to record directly whether certain measures have an effect on livestock farming. The data can also be used to explain measured levels, to monitor them, and for advancing insights into policy decisions. 

In short:

• Ammonia is a colourless gas with a strong odour.
• ​It is a compound of nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2).
• Large quantities of ammonia are produced all over the world.
• ​Because ammonia remains in the atmosphere for several hours, the gas can be spread over large distances.
• Ammonia reduces biodiversity.
• ​Ammonia can affect mucous membranes and respiratory organs and strongly irritate eyes.
• Ammonia can be converted into particulate matter. 
• ​Satellite data can be used to monitor the concentration of ammonia in the air. 

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