Elemental Compositions and Chemical Mass Closure of Fine Particulate in an Animal Feeding Operation Facility and Its Vicinity

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs) have been considered as an important contributor to ambient PM in rural areas. Investigation of the chemical compositions of PM 2.5 inside and in the vicinity of AFOs can enhance our understanding of the AFO emissions impact on ambient PM characteristics. This year-long field study was conducted on a commercial egg production farm to investigate ambient PM chemical compositions as impacted by the air emissions from the production houses. The PM 2.5 samples were collected from five sampling stations (one in-house station and four ambient locations in four wind directions). The trace elements, major ions, organic carbon (OC) and element carbon (EC) were analyzed by X-ray florescence (XRF), ion chromatography (IC), and thermo-optical analyzer, respectively. There were significant differences in elemental compositions between PM samples from in-house station (ST1) and ambient stations (ST2-ST5). The chemical mass balance analysis revealed that OC accounted for above 50% of PM 2.5 mass at in-house and ambient stations; NH 4 + , SO 4 2- , and NO 3 - accounted for about 40.0% of the total PM 2.5 mass in ambient locations and for only 12% of the total PM 2.5 mass in house. The measured PM 2.5 masses agreed with the sums of the masses of chemical compositions at all stations except for the in-house station. Knowledge gained from this study, with additional consideration of NH 3 concentrations and emissions, will lead to better understanding of PM 2.5 source and formation, fate and transport, and their atmospheric dynamics.