Real-time monitoring of CH4 and N2O emissions from livestock using mid-infrared external cavity quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy

•Real-time simultaneous measurements of CH4 and N2O emissions from livestock using laser absorption spectroscopy based on a room-temperature mid-IR external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL).•Concentrations of CH4 and N2O up to 10 times and 1.5 times higher than their levels in the atmosphere were observed.•Demonstration of TDLAS technique for in-situ, real-time, interference-free metrology of livestock-emitted GHGs, which would be helpful for worldwide network observation to prepare GHG emissions inventory and explore the changing trajectory and driving factors of such GHG emissions. The largest share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to livestock originates from methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) which have a far higher influence on global warming, it is therefore necessary to accurately monitor CH4 and N2O emissions to provide theoretical and practical basis for further estimating and regulating GHG emissions from livestock and improving livestock production performance. For the purpose of sensing CH4 and N2O emissions during livestock living process in real time, an optical sensor based on continuous-wave (CW) external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) operating at room temperature was developed. CH4 and N2O absorption lines, located around 8 μm, of the ν4 and ν1 fundamental vibrational bands, respectively, were chosen for direct absorption spectroscopy, which allows for sensitive, selective and simultaneous measurement of CH4 and N2O concentrations. Use of a Herriot multi-pass cell with an effective path-length of 100 m, 1σ (SNR = 1) limits of detection of 26.8 ppbv, 20.3 ppbv and 0.01 % for CH4, N2O and H2O vapor were achieved, respectively. Field measurement of CH4 and N2O emissions from horses has been carried out in a stable over two weeks at the Vernaelde farm in Couderkerque Branche city, France. Concentrations of CH4 and N2O up to 10 times and 1.5 times higher than their levels in the local ambient air (∼ 2.12 ppmv and ∼ 427 ppbv) were observed, respectively.