Ammonia Leakage and Safety Research: A Century of Progress, Present Risks, and Future Directions through a Bibliometric Lens

Ammonia is a vital compound in global agriculture and an emerging player in the clean energy transition. However, its toxicological profile and volatile nature pose significant environmental and human health risks. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of ammonia leakage research, focusing on its safety and health dimensions. Two hundred twenty-four publications were carefully selected and analysed for frequency, co-authorship, and keyword co-occurrence using Scopus-indexed data from 1918 to 2025. Results indicate a sharp rise in research output over the past decade, driven by growing industrial applications, environmental concerns, and technological innovation. Five thematic research clusters were identified: industrial risk and engineering safety; environmental contamination and groundwater pollution; biochemical and ecological system dynamics; biomedical and toxicological effects; and agricultural nutrient management. The analysis highlights China and the United States as global research output and influence leaders. Technological advances in sensor-based detection, predictive modelling, and bioremediation shape a multidimensional response to ammonia-related hazards. The study reveals a strong trend toward interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of computational, biomedical, and environmental science. It concludes with a call for integrated risk frameworks and proactive policy strategies to ensure safe ammonia deployment across energy, agricultural, and industrial systems.