Atmospheric emissions from animal production, such as particulate matter (PM) and ammonia, have raised concerns due to potential negative effects on human health and the environment. Vegetative environmental buffers (VEBs), composed of tolerant trees, shrubs, and tall grasses, can be used to control and reduce the transport of these emissions. We conducted a series of experiments at poultry production facilities equipped with VEBs to quantify the effectiveness of this mitigation strategy. However, direct comparison to a control facility was not possible because many variables were different, especially meteorological conditions. Therefore, we conducted additional sampling campaigns to gather specific data for modeling efforts. A sampling campaign was carried out at a poultry production facility without a buffer where PM and ammonia emissions were measured to discern dispersion as a function of distance and the diurnal and nocturnal effects on emission plumes. Several simulated emission campaigns were also conducted. The first series used LiDAR and a known quantity of emitted PM to visualize plume changes as a function of meteorological conditions and time and to measure capture efficiency of the VEB. In the second simulation campaign, the interactions of ammonia with a VEB were quantified by comparing changes in ammonia concentrations to methane concentration changes. A modified small-scale Gaussian plume air dispersion model was developed to estimate changes in ammonia and PM concentrations due to dispersion. Results showed that the VEB enhances dispersion and that the VEB was responsible for capturing 25% of the ammonia and PM. In addition, the VEB was more efficient under low turbulence (low ambient wind speeds). These results will be useful for designing more effective VEBs and other mitigation strategies for atmospheric emissions.

Assessing the effectiveness of vegetative environmental buffers in mitigating ammonia and PM emissions from animal agriculture

256th National Meeting (2018)

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