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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Soil, Water & Air Resources Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #261091

Title: Concentrations of particulate matter in large cattle feedlots in Kansas

Author
item GUO, LI - Kansas State University
item MAGHIRANG, RONALDO - Kansas State University
item RAZOTE, EDNA - Kansas State University
item Trabue, Steven
item McConnell, Laura

Submitted to: Journal of Air and Waste Management Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2011
Publication Date: 10/1/2011
Citation: Guo, L., Maghirang, R., Razote, E., Trabue, S.L., Mcconnell, L.L. 2011. Concentrations of particulate matter in large cattle feedlots in Kansas. Journal of Air and Waste Management Association. 61:1025-1035.

Interpretive Summary: Particulate matter (PM) from cattle feedlots is thought to be a significant source of odor transported into surrounding communities, but little is known about emission patterns or weather effects on PM transport. We found that both downwind and net (i.e. downwind – upwind) quantities of PM (tiny particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns) varied throughout the day (diurnally) and throughout the year (seasonally). The PM concentrations were closely related to the surface moisture content of the cattle pen and affected by humidity, temperature, and barrometric pressure. This research provides valuable air quality information needed by farmers, animal scientists, engineers, and regulatory officials and emphasizes the need for multiple-day, seasonal sampling to accurately characterize PM emission and transport.

Technical Abstract: Air quality in communities surrounding cattle feedlots is a growing public concern. Our objective was to quantify emission patterns and weather effects on particulate matter (PM) transport upwind and downwind from two large cattle feedlots (KS1, KS2) in Kansas. The concentrations of PM2.5 (particles = 2.5 microns), PM10 (particles = 10 microns), and TSP (total suspended particles) upwind and downwind of were measured with gravimetric samplers from May 2006 to October 2009 (at KS1) and from September 2007 to April 2008 (at KS2). The downwind and net (i.e., downwind – upwind) mass concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and TSP varied diurnally and seasonally, indicating the need for multiple-day, seasonal sampling. The downwind and net concentrations of all PM classes as well as the downwind PM2.5/PM10 and PM2.5/TSP ratios were influenced by the surface moisture content of the cattle pen, humidity, temperature, and barrometric pressure. Measurement of the downwind particle size distribution with a cascade impactor showed geometric mean diameters ranging from 7 to 18 µm, indicating that particles that were emitted from the feedlots were generally large in size. This study provides valuable air quality information needed by farmers, animal scientists, engineers, and regulatory officials striving to develop economically viable, environmentally benign, and socially acceptable animal management practices.