ARS | Publication request: Developing novel approaches to characterize emissions from agricultural operations

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 23, 2012
Publication Date: August 23, 2012
Citation: Huang, Q., Mcconnell, L.L., Razote, E., Schmidt, W.F., Vinyard, B.T., Torrents, A., Hapeman, C.J., Maghirang, R., Trabue, S.L. 2012. Developing novel approaches to characterize emissions from agricultural operations. [abstract].

Technical Abstract: Large-scale animal feeding operations (AFOs) are sources of both gaseous and particulate pollutants to the atmosphere. Current efforts to characterize particulate matter (PM) emissions from AFOs do not provide information on the emission sources. Raman microscopy was employed to characterize the distribution of sources present in PM10 emitted from a large cattle feedlot. Spectra from potential source materials were compiled to create a spectral library. A multivariate statistical analysis approach was developed to identify the source of particles collected on PM10 sample filters. Source characterization results from samples collected at a cattle feedlot over a typical summer two-day period indicates that materials from the cattle pen surface contributed more than 50% of the total PM10 particles captured, followed by unpaved roads at approximately 20% and then feed materials. Results indicate this approach could be used in a number of different agricultural emission characterization scenarios.