Vegetative Environmental Buffers to Mitigate Odor and Aerosol Pollutants Emitted from Poultry Production Sites

Joe Colletti, Steven Hoff, Janette Thompson and John Tyndall Iowa State University Abstract In Iowa at a commercial poultry facility, we are assessing the ability of a multi-row vegetative environmental buffer (VEB) to mitigate odor, ammonia, and particulates. In 2004 and 2005 Eastern redcedar (Juniperius virginiana), hybrid willow (Salix X) and limber pine (Pinus flexilis) were planted in rows parallel to a pullet facility. Monitoring of microclimate conditions and ammonia, odor, and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) in perpendicular transects from the facility exhaust fans through the VEB is providing detailed data on flow, dispersion, capture, and throughput of the emissions. Tree species health is also being monitored. The expected impact is adoption of VEB systems as air quality best management practices to mitigate the air pollutant risks and to sustain the poultry industry, communities, and the environment.