to be updated

NH₃ and NO_x

In 2019, the category of agricultural soils emitted XX336.4 kt NH₃ or XX55.4 % of the total agricultural NH₃ emissions in Germany (xx606.7 kt NH₃). The main contributions to the total NH₃ emissions from agricultural soils are the application of manure (3.D.a.2.a), with xx196.6 kt (xx58.5 %) and the application of inorganic N-fertilizers (3.D.a.1) with xx73.5 kt (xx21.9 %).

Application of sewage sludge (3.D.a.2.b) contributes xx0.6 % or xxx1.9 kt NH₃.

The application of residues from the digestion of energy crops (3.D.a.2.c) leads to xx55.7 kt NH₃ or xx16.5 %. N excretions on pastures (3.D.a.3) have a share of xx8.7 kt NH₃ or xx2.6 %.

NH₃ emissions from application of residues from the digestion of energy crops are excluded from emission accounting by adjustment as they are not considered in the NEC and Gothenburg commitments (see Chapter 11 - Adjustments and Emissions Reduction Commitments).

In 2019, agricultural soils were the source of xx98.6 % (xx116.9 kt) of the total of NO_x emissions in the agricultural category (xx118.6 kt). The NO_x emissions from agricultural soils are mostly due to application of inorganic fertilizer (3.D.a.1) (xx50.5 %) and manure (3.D.a.2.a) (xx34.2 %). Application of residues from digested energy crops (3.D.a.2.c) contributes xx11.8 % to agricultural soil emissions, xx4.8 % are due to excretions on pastures (3.D.a.3). Emissions from application of sewage sludge (3.D.a.2.b)) contribute xx0.5 %.

All NO_x emissions from the agricultural category are excluded from emission accounting by adjustment as they are not considered in the NEC commitments (see Chapter 11 - Adjustments and Emissions Reduction Commitments).

NMVOC

In 2019, the category of agricultural soils contributed xx7.8 kt NMVOC or xx2.4 % to the total agricultural NMVOC emissions in Germany. The only emission source was cultivated crops (3.D.e). All NMVOC emissions from the agricultural category are excluded from emission accounting by adjustment as they are not considered in the NEC commitments.

TSP, PM₁₀ & PM_2.5

In 2019, agricultural soils contributed, respectively, xx28.6 % (xx17.4 kt), xx57.0 % (xx17.4 kt) and xx15.0 % (xx0.7 kt) to the total agricultural TSP, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emissions (xx61.1 kt, xx30.6 kt, xx4.5 kt, respectively). The emissions are reported in category 3.D.c (Farm-level agricultural operations including storage, handling and transport of agricultural products).

The calculation of NH₃ and NOx (NO) emissions from the application of inorganic fertilizers is described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.1, [1]. Activity Data

German statistics report the amount of fertilizers sold. Assuming that the change of fertilizers stocked is small compared with the amount of fertilizers sold, the amount of fertilizer sold is taken to be the amount of fertilizer applied.

Table 1: AD for the estimation of NH₃ and NOx emissions from application of inorganic fertilizers

Methodology

NH₃ emissions from the application of inorganic fertilizers are calculated using the Tier 2 approach according to EMEP (2016)-3D-14ff [10], distinguishing between various fertilizer types, see Table 2. For NO_x, the Tier 1 approach described in EMEP (2016) [10]-3D-11ff is applied.

Emission factors

The emission factors for NH₃ depend on fertilizer type, see EMEP (2016)-3D-15 [10]. Table 2 lists the EMEP emission factors for the fertilizers used in the inventory. In order to reflect average German conditions the emission factors for cool climate and a pH value lower than 7 was chosen.

Table 2: NH₃-EF for inorganic fertilizers

For NO_x, the simpler methodology by EMEP (2016)-3D-11ff [10] was used. The emission factor 0.040 from EMEP, 2016-3D, Table 3.1 has the units of kg N2O per kg fertilizer N and was derived from Stehfest and Bouwman (2006), [8] . The German inventory uses the emission factor 0.012 kg NO-N per kg N derived from Stehfest and Bouwman (2006). This is equivalent to an emission factor of 0.03943 kg NO_x per kg fertilizer N (obtained by multiplying 0.012 kg NO-N per kg N with the molar weight ratio 46/14 for NO2: NO). The inventory uses the unrounded emission factor.

Table 3: Emission factor for NO_x emissions from fertilizer application

Recalculations

Table REC-1: Comparison of NH₃ and NO_x emissions from fertilizer application of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2021

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

In this sub category Germany reports the NH₃ and NO_x (NO) emissions from application of manure (including application of anaerobically digested manure). For an overview see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.2, [1].

Activity data

The calculation of the amount of N in manure applied is based on the N mass flow approach (see 3.B). It is the total of N excreted by animals in the housing and the N imported with bedding material minus N losses by emissions of N species from housing and storage. Hence, the amount of total N includes the N contained in anaerobically digested manures to be applied to the field.

The frequencies of application techniques and incorporation times as well as the underlying data sources are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.4.3, [1]. The frequencies are provided e. g. in the NIR 2020 [11], Chapter 19.3.2.

Table 4: AD for the estimation of NH₃ and NO_x emissions from application of manure

Methodology

NH₃ emissions from manure application are calculated separately for each animal species in the mass flow approach by multiplying the respective TAN amount with NH₃ emission factors for the various manure application techniques. For details see [3-b-manure-management 3.B] and Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 4 to 8 and 11.3, [1]. For NO_x emissions from manure application the inventory calculates NO-N emissions (see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.2, [1] that are subsequently converted into NO_x emissions by multiplying with the molar weight ratio 46/14. The Tier 1 approach for the application of inorganic fertilizer as described in EMEP (2016)-3D-11ff [10] is used, as no specific methodology is available for manure application.

Emission factors

Table 5 shows the time series of the overall German NH₃ IEF defined as the ratio of total NH₃-N emission from manure application to the total amount of N spread with manure.

Table 5: IEF for NH₃–N from application of manure

For NO_x the same emission factor as for the application of inorganic fertilizer was used (see Table 3). Trend discussion for Key Sources

Both NH₃ and NO_x emissions from the application of animal manures are key sources. Total NO_x is calculated proportionally to the total N in the manures applied which remarkably decreased from 1990 to 1991 due to the decline in animal numbers following the German reunification (reduction of livestock numbers in Eastern Germany). Since then the amount of N in manure applied shows no significant trend (1005 +/- 30 Gg N), see Table 4 and therefore there is no trend in the NO_x emissions. For total NH₃ emissions even after 1991 there is a slight negative trend. This is due to the increasing use of application practices with lower NH₃ emission factors. For both gases, emissions are slightly decreasing since 2015. This is due to the fact that cattle and swine animal numbers are declining.

Recalculations

Table REC-2 shows the effects of recalculations on NH₃ and NO_x emissions. The overall recalculation effects are relatively small. The biggest impact has the update of the N excretions of suckler cows (recalculation No 4, see main agricultural page) and pullets (No 10). Smaller effects, and only on NH₃ emissions, derive from the modified consideration of the trailing shoe application in the inventory model GAS-EM (No 14). Other recalculations only have a minor impact and recalculations 1, 12, 13, 15 and 16 do not result in any effect on emissions from manure application. Further details on recalculations are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.5.2.

Table REC-2: Comparison of the NH₃ and NO_x emissions of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2021

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

The calculation of NH₃ and NO_x (NO) emissions from application of sewage sludge is described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.4, [1].

Activity data

N quantities from application of sewage sludge were calculated from data of the German Environment Agency and (since 2009) from data of the Federal Statistical Office (see Table 6). Hence, there was no need to use the “per capita” activity data as proposed by EMEP (2016)-3.D, Table 3-1 [10].

Table 6: AD for the estimation of NH₃ and NO_x emissions from application of sewage sludge

Methodology

A tier 1 methodology is used (EMEP, 2016, 3D, Chapter 3.3.1 [10]). NH₃ and NO_x emissions are calculated by multiplying the amounts of N in sewage sludge applied with the respective emission factors.

Emission factors

EMEP (2016)-3.D, Table 3-1 [10] provides Tier 1 emissions factors for NH₃ and NOx emissions from application of sewage sludge. However, it must be noted that the units of the NH₃ emission factor provided in EMEP (2016)-3.D, Table 3-1 [10] are incorrect. It must read 0.13 kg NH₃ per kg N applied instead of 13 kg NH₃ per capita, see EMEP (2016)-3.D, Appendix A1.2.2.1. The German inventory uses the equivalent emission factor in NH₃-N units which is 0.11 kg NH₃-N per kg N applied (cf. the derivation of the emission factor described in the appendix of EMEP (2016)-3D, page 25-26, [10]). For NO_x the same emission factor like for the application of inorganic fertilizer was used (see Table 3). Trend discussion for Key Sources

NH₃ and NO_x emissions from the application of sewage sludge are no key sources.

Recalculations

Table REC-3 shows the effects of recalculations on NH₃ and NO_x emissions. The only change compared to last year’s submission occurs for the year 2017, due to the update of the activity data (recalculation No 13, see main agricultural page. Further details on recalculations are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.5.2.

Table REC-3: Comparison of the NH₃ and NO_x emissions of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2021

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

This sub category describes Germany’s NH₃ and NO_x (NO) emissions from application of residues from digested energy crops. For details see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapters 10.2 and 11.3 [1].

Activity data

Activity data is the amount of N in residues from anaerobic digestion of energy crops when leaving storage. This amount of N is the N contained in the energy crops when being fed into the digestion process minus the N losses by emissions of N species from the storage of the residues (see 3.I). N losses from pre-storage are negligible and there are no N losses from fermenter (see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 10.2.1).

Table 7: AD for the estimation of NH₃ and NO_x emissions from application of residues from anaerobic digestion of energy crops

Methodology

The NH₃ emissions are calculated the same way as the NH₃ emissions from application of animal manure (3.D.a.2.a). The frequencies of application techniques and incorporation times as well as the underlying data sources are provided e. g. in the NIR 2020 [11], Chapter 19.3.2. The amounts of TAN in the residues applied are obtained from the calculations of emissions from the storage of the digested energy crops (3.I).

For NO_x emissions from application of residues the Tier 1 approach for the application of inorganic fertilizer as described in EMEP (2016)-3D-11 [10] is used. The inventory calculates NO emissions that are subsequently converted into NO_x emissions by multiplying with the molar weight ratio 46/30.

Emission factors

For NH₃ the emission factors for untreated cattle slurry were adopted, see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 10.2, [1]. As the NO_x method for fertilizer application is used for the calculation of NO_x emissions from the application of residues, the emission factor for fertilizer application was used (see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.1 [1])

Table 8 shows the implied emission factors for NH₃ emissions from application of residues from digested energy crops.

Table 8: IEF for NH₃-N

Trend discussion for Key Sources

The application of residues from anaerobic digestion of energy crops is a key source for NH₃. Emissions are dominated by the amounts of N in the substrates fed into the digestion process and to a lesser extent by the increased use of application techniques with lower emission factors. They have become important since about 2005 and have risen sharply until 2013. Since then, they have changed little each year and tend to decrease slightly in the last few years. The latter is mostly due to a small negative trend of the amounts of energy crops digested.

Recalculations

Table REC-4 shows the effects of recalculations on NH₃ and NO_x emissions. Differences to last year’s submission are mostly due to the update of activity data (recalculation No 12, see main agricultural page. Smaller effects, and only on NH3 emissions, derive from the modified consideration of the trailing shoe application in the inventory model GAS-EM (No 14). Further details on recalculations are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.5.2.

Table REC-4: Comparison of the NH₃ and NO_x emissions of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2021

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

The calculation of NH₃ and NO_x (NO) emissions from N excretions on pasture is described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.5 [1].

Activity data

Activity data for NH₃ emissions during grazing is the amount of TAN excreted on pasture while for NO_x emissions it is the amount of N excreted on pasture.

Table 9 shows the N excretions on pasture. The TAN excretions are derived by multiplying the N excretions with the relative TAN contents provided in 3.B, Table 2.

Table 9: N excretions on pasture

Methodology

NH₃ emissions from grazing are calculated by multiplying the respective animal population (3.B, Table 1) with corresponding N excretions and relative TAN contents (3.B, Table 2) and the fraction of N excreted on pasture (Table 9). The result is multiplied with the animal specific emission factor (Table 10). NO emissions are calculated the same way with the exception that the emission factor is related to N excreted instead of TAN.

Emission Factors

The emission factors for NH₃ are taken from EMEP (2016)-3B-29, Table 3.9 [10]. They relate to the amount of TAN excreted on pasture. Following the intention of EMEP, 2016-3D, Table 3.11 [10], the inventory uses for NOx the same emission factor as for the application of inorganic fertilizer (see Table 3). In order to obtain NO_x emissions (as NO2) the NO-N emission factor of 0.12 kg NO-N per kg N excreted is multiplied by 46/14.

Table 10: Emission factors for emissions of NH₃ and NO from grazing

Trend discussion for Key Sources

Emissions from urine and dung deposited by grazing animals are no key sources.

Recalculations

Table REC-5 shows the effects of recalculations on NH₃ and NOx emissions. Details on the agricultural recalculations can be found on the main agricultural page. By far the biggest impact has the update of the N-excretion of suckler cows (recalculation No 4, see main agricultural page. Further details on recalculations are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.5.2.

Table REC-5: Comparison of the NH₃ and NO_x emissions of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2021

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

In this category Germany reports TSP, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emissions from crop production according to EMEP (2016)-3D-11 [10]. For details see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.14 [1].

Activity data

The activity data is the total area of arable and horticultural land. This data is provided by official statistics.

Table 11: AD for the estimation of TSP, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emissions from soils

Methodology

As the Tier 2 methodology described in EMEP (2016)-3D-17 [10] cannot be used due to lack of input data, the Tier 1 methodology described in EMEP(2016)-3D-11ff [10] is used.

Emission factors

Emission factors given in EMEP (2016)-3D-12 [10] are used. The Guidebook does not indicate whether EFs have considered the condensable component (with or without).

Table 12: Emission factors for PM emissions from agricultural soils

Trend discussion for Key Sources

TSP and PM₁₀ are key sources. Emissions depend only on the areas covered. These are relatively constant, with a very slight decrease over the past 10 years.

Recalculations

Table REC-6 shows the effects of recalculations on particulate matter emissions. All differences to last year submission result from including new crop species (recalculation No 15, see main agricultural page. Further details on recalculations are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.5.2.

Table REC-6: Comparison of particle emissions (TSP, PM₁₀ & PM_2.5) of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2021

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

In this category Germany reports NMVOC emissions from crop production according to EMEP (2016)-3D-11 [10]. For details see Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 11.11, [1].

Activity data

The activity data is the total area of arable land and grassland. This data is provided by official statistics.

Table 13: AD for the estimation of NMVOC emissions from crop production

Methodology

In EMEP (2016)-3D-15ff [10] the methodology is described how the EMEP Tier 1 EF was estimated. This methodology was adopted to estimate German emissions. It is considered a Tier 2 methodology.

Emission Factors

The emission factors for wheat, rye, rape and grass (15°C) given in EMEP (2016)-3D-16, Table A3-3 [10] were used. For all grassland areas the grass (15°C) EF is used, for all other crops except rye and rape the EF of wheat is used. Table 14 shows the implied emission factors for NMVOC emissions from crop production. The implied emission factor is defined as ratio of the total NMVOC emissions from cultivated crops to the total area given by activity data.

Table 14: IEF for NMVOC emissions from crop production

2020_3D_Table_14.PNG

Recalculations

Table REC-6 shows the effects of recalculations on NMVOC emissions. All differences to last year’s submission result from including new crop species (recalculation No 15, see main agricultural page. Further details on recalculations are described in Haenel et al. (2020), Chapter 3.5.2.

Table REC-6: Comparison of NMVOC emissions of the submissions (SUB) 2020 and 2019

Planned improvements

No improvements are planned at present.

Uncertainty

Details will be described in chapter 1.7.