Testing the Efficiency of a Passive Sampler for Ammonia Monitoring and Comparison with Alpha-Samplers

Ammonia (NH3) emissions from fertilizer and manure spreading pose several environmental issues, such as soil and water acidification, water eutrophication and fine particulate matter formation. Constant and diffuse monitoring of Nh3 concentrations is crucial to provide accurate emission estimation and understating of seasonal and spatial variation of NH3 concentration. Passive sampling technique represent a good solution for long term and low-cost NH3 monitoring campaigns, especially when covering large areas is necessary. Nonetheless, few studies evaluated the efficiency of passive samplers. This study aims to develop a laboratory system to assess the efficiency of a passive sampler with very simple design and to perform a field comparison with one of the most utilized passive samplers (alpha-samplers) for ammonia monitoring. The tested samplers showed capture efficiencies ranging from 49 to 89% and performed similarly to alpha-samplers in field conditions.