Source: UNIV OF IDAHO submitted to NRP
PARTNERSHIP: EVALUATING RISKS FROM AGRICULTURALLY SOURCED EMISSIONS OF PARTICULATE MATTER (ERASE-PM)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1032490
Grant No.
2024-67024-42698
Cumulative Award Amt.
$800,000.00
Proposal No.
2023-09522
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 1, 2024
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2026
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[A1651]- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities: Environment
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF IDAHO
875 PERIMETER DRIVE
MOSCOW,ID 83844-9803
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project advances both foundational and applied research in order to better understand the effect of extensively managed agricultural lands and activities on particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The link between particulate matter and human health is well-documented. However, less is known about the creation and transport of PM due to agricultural activity specifically.PM concentrations in agricultural regions are challenging to quantify due to a lack of monitoring stations in rural communities. For example, corn production requires substantial application of nitrogen-based fertilizers, which increases emissions of NH3 that can lead to the formation of PM2.5. The physical process is well-understood, but there is a dearth of empirical research linking observed corn acreage to fine PM concentrations. Even fewer studies have empirically estimated the effect of other agricultural choices on coarse PM concentrations.Our work advances both foundational and applied research through the creation of novel datasets and a better understanding of PM interactions with managed systems. A better understanding of these interactions will directly inform policy--through NRCS programs for example--designed to reduce environmental externalities. Thus, the objectives of this project are to:1) Create gridded, fine-scale, daily estimates of fine and coarse PM in agricultural regions by combining information from surface- and satellite-based observations,2) Estimate the effect of agricultural land use decisions on PM concentrations,3) Investigate the effect water-related policies have on land-use change and cropping decisions likely to affect air quality4) Quantify health impacts of recent and future agricultural land-use changes.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1410499100033%
7230410117033%
6050120301034%
Knowledge Area
605 - Natural Resource and Environmental Economics; 723 - Hazards to Human Health and Safety; 141 - Air Resource Protection and Management;

Subject Of Investigation
0120 - Land; 0499 - Atmosphere, general/other; 0410 - Air;

Field Of Science
1000 - Biochemistry and biophysics; 3010 - Economics; 1170 - Epidemiology;
Goals / Objectives
Objective 1: Create gridded, fine-scale, daily estimates of fine and coarse PM in agricultural regions by combining information from surface- and satellite-based observationsObjective 2: Estimate the effect of agricultural activities on PM concentrationsObjective 3: Investigate the effect water-related policies have on land-use change and cropping decisions likely to affect air qualityObjective 4: Quantify health impacts of recent and future agricultural land-use changes
Project Methods
Our two PMcoarse products will rely on regulatory surface monitor measurements and satellite retrievals of aerosol properties. Our surface-monitor-only product will have the strength of extending back to 2006 but is limited in spatial resolution due to sparse monitoring.We will alsocombine existing datasets on agricultural land-use and practices. Specifically, we will aggregate data layers for crop type, weather, planting and harvest timing, no-till adoption, cover crop use, irrigation, and water curtailments.Established parametric and non-paramatric models will be used to establish statistically significant relatioships.

Progress 01/01/24 to 12/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this work includes policymakers and government agencies responsible for agricultural and environmental regulations, as they can use the findings to inform policies that mitigate air pollution and its health impacts. Researchers and scientists in the fields of environmental science, public health, and agricultural economics would benefit from the study's novel datasets and methodological advancements in understanding particulate matter emissions. Farmers, agricultural industry stakeholders, and conservation groups should also be engaged, as the findings may influence best practices and incentive structures for sustainable farming. Lastly, public health professionals and advocacy organizations concerned with air quality and community health will find the study valuable in addressing pollution-related health risks, particularly in rural and agricultural regions. Changes/Problems:The University of Idaho has been facing persistent staffing shortages and prolonged delays in processing contracts and subcontracts. These challenges have significantly impacted the pace of research activities and have created obstacles for both our researchers and students. Despite these setbacks, we remain committed to advancing the project and mitigating delays wherever possible. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?By the end of the next reporting cycle, we anticipate the completion of two manuscripts and the development of a new gridded particulate matter product. Additionally, we expect to deliver two presentations at scientific conferences, further disseminating our findings. Our graduate students will continue to receive funding, ensuring sustained research progress and professional development.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? After overcoming initial delays related to contracts and funding, the project successfully launched in January 2025. In this reporting period, we made significant progress by recruiting a strong research team, including two graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher, who are now actively engaged in the project. Additionally, we finalized key contracts with Regrow, securing access to critical datasets that will enhance our analysis. We anticipate receiving the dataset by April 2025, positioning us for a productive next phase of research.

Publications