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Research Summaries
Contents |
Research Purpose
The objective of this multi-state and multidisciplinary project, funded by USDA-CSREES-NRI-Air Quality Program, is to continuously quantify emissions of ammonia (NH3) and particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns and 10 microns (PM2.5, PM10) from turkey barns in the Midwest for one year. The measurements are being done at a commercial facility in Iowa (for toms or male turkeys – 18 kg market weight) and at a University of Minnesota Research Farm (for hens or female turkeys – 9 kg market weight).
Activities
Monitoring of the air emissions has been ongoing since May 2007 for the Iowa site and October 2007 for the MN site. At the IA site, a part of an existing barn with mostly natural ventilation were modified into a mechanically ventilated facility while at the MN site, the mechanical ventilation system of the “grower” section was increased to handle turkeys through market weight. Both site modifications accommodate more precise airflow measurements and the remaining naturally ventilated portion of the barns is used to set the ventilation rate for the monitored sections.
The project also monitors the indoor air quality at several locations in the naturally ventilated section. State-of-the-art mobile air emissions monitoring labs are used to perform the continuous monitoring. Chemiluminescence or photoacoustic gas analyzers are used for measuring NH3 concentrations and Tapered Element Oscillation Microbalances (TEOMs) are used for real-time measurement of PM concentrations. Ventilation rate is quantified by continuously monitoring runtime of all the exhaust fans calibrated in-situ. In addition to the continuous measurements of dynamic air emissions, a mass balance of the nitrogen flow through the production system will be performed. To date, three flocks of air emissions and related data have been collected and analyzed.
What We Have Learned
There exist considerable seasonal variations in air emissions from the turkey barns. Caution needs to be taken when extrapolating broiler air emissions data for turkey applications.
Why is This Important?
Considerable progress has been made toward the collection of baseline data on air emissions from U.S. animal feeding operations. The animal species that have been covered include broilers, laying hens, and swine. More baseline data will be collected through an Air Consent Agreement reached between the U.S. EPA and the broiler, layer, swine and dairy industries. However, to date there is no project that systematically collects air emissions from U.S. turkey operations, even though turkey production plays an important part in U.S. poultry production and contribution to the national emissions inventory. Moreover, a search of literature revealed very meager data on turkey air emissions, both domestically and globally.
Outcomes of this project will include establishment of an objective and urgently needed database of NH3 and PM emission factors for commercial turkey operations typical of the U.S. turkey industry; and education of the industry, scholars and stakeholders. Ultimately, this study will contribute to the advancement of basic science and inventory on air emissions from turkey production facilities and impact the U.S. turkey and agricultural industry by helping to sustain its competitiveness and prosperity in the global economy.
For More Information
Contact Dr. Hongwei Xin, Professor, 3204 NSRIC, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011; phone: 515-294-4240, e-mail: hxin@iastate.edu
By Hongwei Xin, Hong Li, Robert Burns, Steve Hoff, Jay Harmon, and Jacek Koziel, Iowa State University Larry Jacobson and Sally Noll, University of Minnesota
This report was prepared for the 2008 annual meeting of the regional research committee, S-1032 "Animal Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable Agriculture". This report is not peer-reviewed and the author has sole responsibility for the content.
