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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #308829

Title: On-line measurements of emissions and atmospheric fate of compounds from agricultural waste management

Author
item Silva, Philip - Phil
item Lovanh, Nanh
item Loughrin, John

Submitted to: American Chemical Society SE/SW Regional Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/9/2014
Publication Date: 10/16/2014
Citation: Silva, P.J., Lovanh, N.C., Loughrin, J.H. 2014. On-line measurements of emissions and atmospheric fate of compounds from agricultural waste management. American Chemical Society SE/SW Regional Meeting. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Agricultural emissions impact air quality on a local and regional basis. Research on the emissions and reduction of greenhouse gases from agriculture has become commonplace due to concerns about climate but other chemical compounds also impact air quality. These include compounds that are photochemically reactive and produce secondary gaseous and particulate pollutants downwind that are different from those emitted at the original source. To fully characterize the impact of agricultural emissions on air quality one needs methods of analysis with rapid time response to detect atmospheric changes due to both chemistry and meteorology. Using continuous sampling gas chromatography and ion chromatography methods, we can characterize the emissions and fate of several reactive compound classes including ammonia, amines and reduced sulfur compounds. During a study at a dairy, we find that among amines, trimethylamine partitions into the particulate phase close to the source while butylamine remains in the gas phase. At a swine facility that composts manure under the house, sulfur emissions show transient spikes of emissions correlated to when the compost is turned. This presentation will focus on conducted measurements directly at facility sources, downwind at a receptor site in a national park, and in the ambient atmosphere and the necessity of online measurements for determining the impact of emissions.