Author
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Zahn, James |
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Hatfield, Jerry |
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Submitted to: Southeast Animal Waste Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 2/12/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Atmospheric dispersion of livestock odors represents one of the most controversial issues in modern agriculture and has served as a major impediment in the expansion of livestock production and processing facilities in the United States. Unfortunately, little is known concerning the chemical identity and transport mechanisms of malodorous volatile organic compounds produced through biotic and abiotic processes in stored waste. The lack of progress towards the development of new odor reduction strategies and/or technologies has been associated with the lack of chemical-based methods to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate odor. To remedy these problems, a chemical-based odor measurement system has been developed to measure flux rates and gaseous concentrations of malodorous volatile organic compounds present in air samples from swine production facilities. Using this technology, we have established concentrations (ppb) and flux rates (ng/m**2/hour) for over 40 different volatile organic compounds associated with swine production facilities using two different waste management systems. A comparison of chemical data collected at 0, 25, and 100 meters from a swine waste storage basin indicates that these compounds are transported from the source with varying efficiencies with low molecular weight acids showing the highest mobility. Finally, the data suggest that the transport of several aromatic organic compounds such as 4-methyl phenol, 4-ethyl phenol, and 3-methyl indole is positively coupled to relative humidity. |
