Ammonia emissions from an anaerobic swine waste lagoon using a radial plume mapping and backward-Lagrangian Stochastic Models

Gas emissions from agricultural activities is a topic of increasing environmental importance. The objective of the study was to determine the variability in emissions of ammonia (NH3) from a swine waste lagoon over a year. Measurements of emissions were made during 2008-2009. Field measurements utilized scanning tunable diode lasers. The path-integrated concentration measurements and simultaneous 3-D sonic anemometer measurements were used as inputs to a radial plume mapping and backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) emissions model. Temporal variability in the emissions are related to weather conditions and farm operations. Results showed emissions of NH3 correlates with air temperature and wind speed with evidence of surface waves in the lagoon influencing the emission. The influence of topography around the lagoon berm on the calculated emissions will also be discussed.