In the present study possibility of coupling biofilter to arrest ammonia (NH3) emission to the atmosphere from the integrated UASB and stripper (UASB + ST) system treating poultry litter leachate was studied. UASB + ST with biofilter (UASB + ST + BF) exhibited removal efficiency (RE) of NH3 in the range of 98-99% (below 28 ppm V (parts per million by volume)) with low cost agricultural residue as a bedding material. Mass transfer dynamics of TAN in the system revealed that TAN loss to atmosphere was below 1% in UASB + ST + BF where as it was in the range of 70-90% in UASB + ST. Cost estimates revealed that financial implications due to the addition of biofilter were below 10% of total capital cost. TAN retained in the bedding material of biofilter could also be utilized as soil conditioner upon saturation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.