Atmospheric emissions come back to land and water after traveling some distance.
This is called atmospheric deposition. Therefore, the nitrogen load to the Neuse estuary from agricultural emissions is equivalent to the nitrogen load to the estuary from point sources. Currently planned research and monitoring will not adequately assess atmospheric deposition of agricultural emissions from even one livestock operation. At least 5 times as much land would be needed for spraytields if ammonia volatilization in hog waste treatment is eliminated. Hog waste must be converted into a useable product which can be economically transported.