Progress 01/01/08 to 07/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project evaluated PM2.5 and PM10 levels in broiler houses using tapered element oscillating microbalances (TEOMs) and laser based particulate sensing (DusTraks). The project collected internal and ambient PM data from multiple 42 and 50 day broiler grow outs across 3+ years. The project showed connections between PM levels and activity in the house, as assessed by machine vision. PM levels were highest during active light periods of the lighting program and lowest during dark periods. Poultry houses use dark periods to maximize production. To manage overall PM emissions at the poultry complex level, lighting programs should be staggered across the complex to reduce overall complex PM emissions. The project fed PM samples for chemical concentration and arsenic speciation analysis that is ongoing at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The project developed an online undergraduate / graduate air pollution online course that active and available for domestic and international students. PARTICIPANTS: Robert Alphin, Murray Johnston, William Ritter, and Eric Benson were faculty members and Daniel Hougentogler was a research technician/associate who worked on the project. Priyanka Ashok Jain, Courtney Hugo, and Shannon Carter where graduate student who worked on this project. Erik Herman, Allison Rogers and James McGurk were undergraduate students that worked on this project. Birds and feed were supplied by and processed by Mountaire Farms. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the graduate educational course were international and domestic masters and/or doctoral students in environmental science, agricultural engineering, animal science, and similar. Target audience for the extension fact sheets were Delmarva poultry growers and integrators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Project was no cost extended 1 year. Project changed from using monitoring industry houses to raising birds with industry cooperation at University owned houses.
Impacts
Monitoring PM2.5 and PM10 was conducted in house across multiple flocks during both 42 day and 50 day broiler growouts at two locations. The project partially met the sampling goals of the project. Overall flock numbers were reduced because required industry participation that was not feasible due to changes in economic and political conditions. At one site in particular, PM2.5 and PM10 levels consistently exceeded the primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 of 150 mg/m3 and 15 mg/m3 for a 24-h average. In addition, average and peak levels are less than similar results presented by some other researchers. This resulted in significant instrumentation problems during the sampling at this location. PM2.5 and PM10 levels were significantly correlated with lighting in the poultry house. Image analysis was used to selectively quantify bird activity and bird activity increased as expected during light periods. PM levels are not managed across a facility and lighting programs are often programmed to be the same across all houses in a facility. Staggered lighting programs may be able to reduce overall PM emissions across a facility. Additional value adds from the project included documenting presence of hormones and evaluation of arsenic speciation in particulate matter. Selected particulate samples were sent for estradiol hormone analysis, which showed levels greater than 8 ng/m3. Additional particulate samples were analyzed for heavy metal, metalloid, and arsenic speciation. Initial results have shown detectable arsenic levels bound to particulate samples. The project met the educational goal of developing an online air pollution course. Distance education compatible materials were developed and recorded for a graduate level Bioresources Engineering course on agricultural air quality. This course was recorded in Spring 2010 and key modules included: a. Air Pollution Regulations b. Meteorology c. Climate Change d. Atmospheric Chemistry e. Air Quality Modeling f. Air Pollution and the Dairy Industry g. Air Pollution and the Swine Industry h. Air Pollution and the Poultry Industry i. Air Pollution and the Beef Industry j. Grain Handling Facilities k. Wind Erosion l. Biomass Burning. The project did not meet the extension client goals, however, two extension fact sheets were developed. The first fact sheet, titled "Economics of Reducing Ammonia Emissions in Poultry Houses", helps to explain to growers why managing ammonia is important in terms of performance. The second fact sheet, titled "Terms of a Nutrient Management Plan: Linear Approach vs. Narrative Rate Approach and Realistic Yield Goals" looks at how Delaware`s changes in implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) can impact growers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The original planned rotational sampling plan was not feasible due to changes in economic and political conditions, leading industrial cooperators to withdraw from the project. For this reason, data was collected from the University of Delaware Jones Hamilton Environmental Poultry and Demonstration House located in Georgetown, DE. The Jones-Hamilton House is 12.1 m wide and 34.7 m long, divided into two rooms 17.3 m long and 12.1 m wide. Each room houses 3000 broiler chickens and is treated as a separate house. For particulate monitoring,three Dustrak Model 8520 (1 with PM2.5 and 2 with PM10) were used to collect aerosol data. A TEOM 1405DT was used to collect simultaneous PM2.5 and PM10 data.There has been considerable difficulty with the 1405DF.Results show PM2.5 and PM10 levels within the test house have consistently exceeded the primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 of 150 mg/m3 and 15 mg/m3 for a 24-h average. In addition, average and peak levels are less than similar results presented by some other researchers. Distance education compatible materials were developed and recorded for a graduate level Bioresources Engineering course on agricultural air quality. This course was recorded in Spring 2010 and key modules included: a. Air Pollution Regulations b. Meteorology c. Climate Change d. Atmospheric Chemistry e. Air Quality Modeling f. Air Pollution and the Dairy Industry g. Air Pollution and the Swine Industry h. Air Pollution and the Poultry Industry i. Air Pollution and the Beef Industry j. Grain Handling Facilities k. Wind Erosion l. Biomass Burning Two extension fact sheets were developed.The first fact sheet, titled "Economics of Reducing Ammonia Emissions in Poultry Houses", helps to explain to growers why managing ammonia is important in terms of performance.The second fact sheet, titled "Terms of a Nutrient Management Plan: Linear Approach vs. Narrative Rate Approach and Realistic Yield Goals" looks at how Delaware `s changes in implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) can impact growers. In particular, the fact sheet concentrates on linear and narrative approaches PARTICIPANTS: Priyanka Ashok Jain and Courtney Hugo where graduate student who worked on this project. Erik Herman, Allison Rogers and James McGurk were undergraduate students that worked on this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project was extended for one year.
Impacts
A graduate level Bioresources Engineering course on agricultural air quality was developed and recorded for distance education.The key modules included: a. Air Pollution Regulations b. Meteorology c. Climate Change d. Atmospheric Chemistry e. Air Quality Modeling f. Air Pollution and the Dairy Industry g. Air Pollution and the Swine Industry h. Air Pollution and the Poultry Industry i. Air Pollution and the Beef Industry j. Grain Handling Facilities k. Wind Erosion l. Biomass Burning Two extension fact sheets were developed.The first fact sheet, titled "Economics of Reducing Ammonia Emissions in Poultry Houses", helps to explain to growers why managing ammonia is important in terms of performance.The second fact sheet, titled "Terms of a Nutrient Management Plan: Linear Approach vs. Narrative Rate Approach and Realistic Yield Goals" looks at how Delaware `s changes in implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) can impact growers. In particular, the fact sheet concentrates on linear and narrative approaches
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project has had repeated equipment failure of the TEOM(1405). Older models have been used successfully in poultry houses.Some data was collected from flocks with the TEOM the first and last quarters of 2009.DustTraks were also used to collect data and will be correlated against the TEOM data. With the data collected there appears to be limited correlation between bird activity and measured dust levels. Development of a graduate level agricultural air pollution course was in progress the third and fourth quarters of 2009.The course will be taught spring semester 2010.Modules on regulations,air quality modeling,climate change and atmospheric chemisty were developed. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The project has collected a limited amount of data to date so there are no outcomes or impacts to report at this time.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project was initiated in January 2008.Particle collection and measurement equipment was purchased and calibrated against air quality monitoring equipment used by the State of Delaware for ambient air quality monitoring.A technican was hired for the project in November. Some P-10 and P-2.5 data were collected from a flock in the research broiler house at the University of Delaware Research and Education Center at Georgetown in late fall. Some of the particulate samples collected are being analyzed for metal and organic compounds on anther project.The investigators have had alot of technical problems with the TECOM equipment purchased.Numerous parts have had to be replaced. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Poultry industry EPA and state air quality engineers, scientists and regulators PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Limited data has been collected so no project outcomes and impact have been achieved.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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