1. Preparation of Fine Particulate Emissions Inventories
Chapter 8 – Ammonia Emissions from Animal Husbandry
This lesson presents the issues associated with estimating ammonia emissions from animal husbandry operations and some of the efforts that are being undertaken to address these issues.

2. What should you take from this session?
A better understanding of factors that relate to ammonia from animal operations and why they are important, or unimportant, to you
Data sources and differences in presentation
How are/were emission factors determined
Models and procedures available to estimate emissions
Variances by state, animal types, and husbandry practices

3. NH3 – Precursor to Ammonium Sulfate & Nitrate (National Emissions ~ 4
NH3 – Precursor to Ammonium Sulfate & Nitrate (National Emissions ~ 4.8 M TPY)
Almost 5 million tons a year of ammonia are emitted nationally. As the graph demonstrates, animal husbandry is the source of the majority of ammonia emissions nationally.

4. Example – Nitrogen Emissions in North Carolina Percentages of Nitrogen from NOx and Ammonia Sources (as N)
Source: Bob Wooten, NC DAQ

5. NH3 – Potential Issues w/Existing EI?
Inventories of NH3 are “new” to the industrial point source community, the air agencies and the testing community – thus not yet confirmed that many emission sources are well characterized/quantified
Some confusion on how to report – as NH3,NH4 ion, N, or mass of whole compound(s) such as ammonium sulfate (almost 10X)
Continuing studies
Just be alert and probing

6. The Agricultural/Related Sources Are:
Fertilizer Application
Animal Operations
Poultry
Cattle
Hogs/swine
Other (not agricultural)
Pets
Wild animals
Human (generally, waste treatment plant)
Plants (anaerobic decomposition, primarily)

7. State to State Variability
Many states have many farm animals of various types (e.g., California & Texas) and lots of experience quantifying emissions
Others have few or limited variety
Most states are “focused” on production of a few types of animals (e.g., NC & Iowa - swine)
Some states have relatively few animal operations and thus emissions (e.g., AK & ID) but can still be locally important
Reference WRAP Ammonia Inventory by Mansell (ENVIRON) and Chitjian (UC-R) for 2002, completed 2004?

8. A North Carolina Hog Farm w/Lagoon
Source: NC DAQ

9. EPA Mandate (by NAS study) to Update NH3 Emissions from Animal Husbandry
Ammonia emission factors continue to be lacking in quality and detail – lots of variability and few valid parametric test results applicable to real conditions
Make improvements:
Revise/refine emission factor selections and tests
Reflect EPA “2-year” studies underway (2007)
Refine information on variability of emissions due to various manure handling practices
Properly use information from National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on animal populations, by average live weight
It is important to address ammonia emissions from animal husbandry because inverse modeling suggests that ammonia emissions may be overestimated.
Inverse modeling:
involves doing a complete chemical transformation and transport modeling of an area
requires accounting for all of the ammonia through transformation and deposition processes.
results indicate that ammonia may be overestimated nationally when compared to ammonia in the ambient air
Some problems associated with the old NEI:
probable errors in the emission factor selections, especially for beef.
does not use information on variability of emissions due to different manure handling practices within a given animal industry
does not make total use of the National Agricultural Statistic Service data on different animal populations by weight
does not take temperature into account, which would greatly increase the temporal variation in ammonia emissions.
EPA Collaborates with Farmers on the First Nationwide Study of Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations
Announced 06/14/2007- Contact Information: Dave Ryan, (202) /
for information since the beginning of the first-ever nationwide study of air emissions from poultry, dairy and swine animal feeding operations (AFOs), Working together to expand our scientific understanding of air emissions from livestock operations With EPA oversight, researchers from eight universities will take part in the 2-year, $14.6 million study to measure levels of hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, ammonia, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds and other gases from livestock facilities. The research is to take place at 24 sites in nine states. EPA concluded in the late 1990's that it did not have sufficient air emissions data for AFOs, which made it difficult to determine the compliance status of AFOs with existing air emissions requirements. EPA began discussions with AFO owners in Ultimately, EPA developed an innovative and voluntary consent agreement with the AFO industry. This agreement established a framework for farmers to participate in a monitoring study. Over 2600 agreements were signed, representing approximately 14,000 swine, dairy, egg-laying and broiler chicken (meat-bird) farms (an AFO can include more than one farm). Dr. Al Heber of Purdue University, is the lead scientist for the study: "We don't know enough about what is being emitted into the atmosphere. This study will give the EPA the data it needs to make science-based decisions." As part of the consent agreement, AFOs contributed to a fund to pay for the monitoring study. EPA intends to use the data from the monitoring study to develop an improved method for estimating emissions from individual AFOs. EPA believes this innovative agreement will bring farms into compliance more quickly than could have been accomplished through traditional, case-by-case enforcement. The eight universities participating in the study are: Purdue University; University of California-Davis; Cornell University; Iowa State University; University of Minnesota; North Carolina State University; Texas A&M University; and Washington State University. More information about the study: epa.gov/agriculture/airmonitoringstudy.html

10. Testing/Measuring NH3 for Factors
General field methods
Chamber method for lagoons, etc.
Up-wind/down-wind ambient & reverse model; generally FTIR
Other “over-water” flux measurements
Variables of importance
Temp, pH, wind, fan speed/volumes, water and wind currents, non uniform flow patterns, etc. etc.
Parametric testing becomes quite difficult as well as making proper analysis of results

11. Continued Work on Ammonia from Animal Husbandry is Needed
Continue to test and develop better methods
Continue to incorporate data/info. from Effluent Guidelines project
Continue review & progress on meeting NAS recommendations (previous slide)
Continue QA improvements
EPA’s water emission effluent guidelines project has provided some new information on animal production and waste handling practices.
Information about environmental requirements specifically relating to the production of livestock in animal feeding operations (AFOs) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
About Animal Feeding Operations
Regulations for AFOs Related to Water Programs
Regulations for AFOs Related to Air Programs

12. Basis for Interim NEI Improvements
Provide improved populations, practices, and emissions data
Switch to a common process-based framework, that is transparent and allows updating periodically
Motivate relevant data updates and provide a database to store them
Educate users about data limitations and uses
Higher animal production states have begun to offer improvements and new methods
A recent EPA report provides a basis for making interim improvements to the NEI through improved data on populations, practices, and emissions. It is the beginning of a switch-over to a process-based framework that is a consistent and transparent way of estimating emissions.
Advantages: will allow for partial updating as better data become available provides motivation and a structure for making data-collection improvements provides an opportunity to educate users about data limitations and the proper use of the data.
EPA’s goal is for the higher animal production states to begin to adopt and offer improvements to the NEI using this new method.

13. Current NEI Estimation Methodology Overview
Step 1: Estimate average annual animal populations by animal group, state, and county
Step 2: Identify Manure Management Trains (MMT) used by each animal group and then estimate animal populations using each MMT
Step 3: Estimate nitrogen emissions using each type of MMT and general manure characteristics
Let’s review the six steps that comprise this new methodology for estimating ammonia emissions from animal husbandry operations.

14. Current Estimation Methodology – Overview (cont’d)
Step 4: Determine best emission factors for each component/MMT
Step 5: Estimate ammonia emissions for each animal group by MMT/county
Step 6: Estimate future ammonia emissions for years 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2030 (may change in final guidance)

15. Step 1: Population Estimates
Animals: dairy, beef, swine, and poultry
Keep age/weight groups & animal types distinct
State-level population: latest NASS
County apportionment: using latest Census of Agriculture
Privacy Issue - Where state and/or county is not disclosed, divide equally
The first step in this process is estimating average animal populations by animal group, state, and county.
This step uses 2002 NASS data for state-level populations, and the 1997 census of agricultural to apportion the state-level NASS data to the county level. However, there are some privacy issues with regard to animal populations.
For example, a county with only one large facility would create an industrial privacy issue since that facility will not want their competition to know how many animals they are raising.

16. Animal Population Data - USDA
Animal populations by state & county
Every 5 years, ending in 2 or 7
2007 is most recent
State by state variations make it a bit difficult to always and easily find the same data presented in the same way. Be careful and aware of any regional/local differences in terminology, etc.

17. USDA Census of Agriculture - Hints
Read carefully - Terminology can be confusing
Cows, Cattle, Calves, Heifers, Beef cows, Milk (milch) cows, Steers, Steer calves, Bulls, Bull calves, Heifer calves, Chickens, Layers, Broilers, Pullets, etc.
Ask your state agricultural statisticians to explain the nuances and differences, if uncertain
Census lists county level data but sometimes not due to confidentiality issues
State records may have more information such as – permits
Producer associations often have data they have compiled from members that they MAY share

18. Step 2: Manure Management Trains
15 MMT’s plus permutations (similar to “model farms” used in past approaches)
e.g., housing, waste storage, land application type
Non-feedlot outdoor confinement (e.g., pasture) is one of the trains for swine, dairy, and beef
MMT’s represent different pathways for escape of ammonia to the air
MMT “mix” varies by state
The second step is using Manure Management Trains (MMTs) for each animal group to estimate the distribution of the animal population.
Fifteen MMTs have been identified.
Some of the variables that affect the different trains include:
the way animals are housed,
waste storage methods, and
the land application methods that are used.
For example, the non-feedlot outdoor confinement is one of the trains for swine, dairy, and beef. The MMTs represent different pathways for the escape of ammonia into the air.
In applying the MMT approach to estimate the 2002 ammonia inventory, the mix of MMTs is assumed to vary by state, but not within a state.

19. Step 2: Manure Management Trains (cont’d)
Animal populations, etc., are allocated among the applicable trains
Note: Final stage in each train is usually land application
Animal population is allocated among the applicable trains.
For example, in a given state 20% of the hogs may be handled using manure management train 3, another 60% may be using manure management train 7, and the rest of them may be using manure management train 14.
Finally, it should be noted that the final stage on every train is land application.

20. Advanced Example of Manure Management Train
This graphic illustrates an advanced MMT, one of several such trains for the dairy industry.
This MMT begins with the amount of nitrogen excreted by dairy cows.
The train traces the manure through the different handling options and shows how much is handled in different ways. The train also shows the nitrogen and ammonia emissions at the various handling points.
For example, there is nitrogen loss in the flush barn and the lagoon, and ammonia loss in the dry lot. There are other trains that provide similar information for other farm industries. These trains characterize a type of industry, and the general way that manure would be handled in a facility.

21. Step 3: Nitrogen Excreted
Determine typical animal weights (within a type and weight range)
Nitrogen per 1000 kg of live weight from NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook
Local agriculture experts could help improve this (feed is very important)
Land Grant University Researchers / Extension Agents
The third step involves using each type of MMT to estimate the amount of nitrogen excreted from the animals.
This step involves examining typical animal weights and data on the amount of nitrogen per thousand kilos of live weight. The data on the nitrogen amounts can be obtained from NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook.
Another useful source of information is land grant university researchers and local agricultural extension agents. It is important to include experts in the agricultural industry in the inventory development efforts.

22. Step 4: Emission Factors
Select the emission factor for each stage of each manure management train
Some are based on lbs/animal, some are percent air release of input ammonia
Both kinds also determine ammonia transferred to next stage
Some factors based on actual air testing
Air emissions can never be higher than original manure nitrogen content
Using stage-specific emission factors allows for applying temporal profiles and process-related variability later
Step four involves identifying or developing the emission factors for each component of each MMT. Some of these factors are in pounds per animal, and some are percent air release of the input ammonia.
These factors are used to determine the amount of ammonia that goes to the next stage of the manure train process.
Under this approach, the air emissions could never be higher than the original manure content. Also, using this approach sets the stage for applying temporal profiles and process-related variables such as moisture and rainfall.

23. Hint: Be Careful of Terms and Custom!
Emission factors are based on using inventory or head count numbers
Do not confuse with numbers produced or sold (river/lake analogy) – animals living at any one time vs. number slaughtered in a given year
Cattle in feed lots may not be counted as part of state herd statistics in some state data
New PM guidance for animal husbandry in CA in WRAP fugitives manual
Scrounge through all possible sources for factors, including EPA studies underway, recent conferences, individual researchers (e.g., WRAP reports), etc. Current status does not always result in one single source of best emission factors and supporting data for any given source and parameters
The WRAP Inventory Improvement work done, mentioned previously, by Mansell and Chitjian should be a prime source of information and review for the Western states, especially those who are members of the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP)

24. Step 5: Apply for Target Year
Track ammonia release through each MMT for each animal type, then calculate air releases and transfer to next stage
Assume no air emission controls
Add control assumptions later, and determine downstream consequences
Sum emissions by animal type and county
Preserve databases with full detail for transparency and later revisions
The next step involves applying this methodology to estimate annual ammonia emissions from each animal group by MMT.
This includes:
tracking the ammonia release through each MMT for each animal type and county, and
calculating ammonia releases to the air and transfers to the next stage.
This whole process assumes no air emission controls at this time, but control assumptions could be added later. Emissions are summed up to animal type and county, but the database is preserved with full detail for transparency so that changes and improvements can more easily be made.

25. Step 6: Future Years Projections
2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2030?? TBD by EPA-later
USDA and Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute – data source
Account for past observed cyclical populations
State-by-state population pattern changes
The last step involves estimating ammonia emissions for future years. Major point is to use open and repeatable procedures so they can be updated and revised as time passes and information improves.

26. Comparison of 1999 and 2002 Ammonia NEIs (for illustration)
Animal
Group0
1999 NEI
2002 NEI
Population
Emission
Factor
lb/head /yr
Emissions
Tons/year
Cattle and Calves Composite
100,126,106
50.5
2,476,333
100,939,728
23.90
1,205,493
Hogs and Pigs Composite
63,095,955
20.3
640,100
59,978,850
14.32
429,468
Poultry and Chickens Composite
1,754,482,225
0.394
345,325
2,201,945,253
0.60
664,238
Total
1,917,704,286
N/A
3,461,758
2,362,863,831
2,299,199
A comparison of the 1999 NEI version 3 with the 2002 NEI version 1 shows significant differences in the ammonia emissions. These differences reflect errors and changes in data, including revisions to emission factors, not real world. This shows the importance of researching and reflecting the latest and most realistic emission factors.
As shown on this chart, about half of the emissions from all animals come from calves and cattle.
Also, total ammonia emissions from animal husbandry operations decreased significantly from 3.4 million in 1999 to 2.3 million in 2002.

27. Ongoing - Additional NEI Improvements
Plans to incorporate emission estimates for sheep, ducks, goats, and horses, but of little relative consequence
Determine most recent manure production and excretion rate data by animal type and weight
Develop ways to better address spatial, seasonal, and regional differences in emissions
Other improvements that are being made to the NEI for animal husbandry operations:
incorporating emission estimates for sheep, ducks, goats, and horses
examining additional data sources to provide recently data on manure production and excretion rates by animal type and weight.
examining ways to better address special, seasonal, and regional differences in emissions

28. ERTAC - Agricultural Ammonia Studies (Timeframe: Mid 2009)
Eastern Regional Technical Advisory Committee – (ERTAC) to improve process-based emissions model – begun in 2005 by ISSRC/Environ - with RPO funding at UC-Davis
Improvements include
Newer science
2007 Census of Ag data
Remaining shortcomings...
Lots of national defaults and not much local data
To do…
Identify variables model is most sensitive to
Compare model results to measurement studies
Purpose of Eastern Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ERTAC) is to coordinate emissions inventories needed for air quality modeling, and provide a technical- (not policy-) driven process for developing and improving emissions inventories. These inventories will focus on the Eastern US for Work is continuing and beginning to have results, so monitor closely.
Mark Janssen summarized work recently -

29. CMU Model
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) developed a recommended model (Version 3.6) for estimating ammonia emissions from
agricultural activities (including fertilizer application), and soils
wastewater treatment
wildfires
domestic and wild animals
transportation sources
industrial activities
others
to download the CMU model and get details on recent model improvements
Carnegie Mellon University has prepared a model for estimating ammonia emissions from agricultural activities, humans, wastewater treatment, wildfires, domestic and wild animals, transportation sources, industrial activities, and soils.
The Carnegie Mellon model (Version 3 is latest) includes an improved methodology for fertilizer application when compared to the methodology used in previous versions of the NEI.
EPA is evaluating the methodologies used for other source categories in the Carnegie Mellon model.
Version 3 of the CMU Ammonia Model has been completely rewritten in order to add several new features. Among these new features are:
the model now has a graphical user interface in the form of a windows application that makes it much easier to run; the user no longer has to edit ASCII text files to change run parameters the user can choose which states and sources to include in the model run The model now permits the use of monthly resolution for all sources, for both activity levels and emission factors. This will enable the model to take advantage of new work currently underway at CMU to estimate emission factors for dairy cattle that are county and month specific
there are now several different choices for output, including NIF 3.0 formatted output, GIS ready output, and summary tables that permit easy viewing of the results. The default emission factor dataset included with the model has been updated but one should review before final use.

30. CMU Model (cont’d) Activity Data in CMU v3.6 is year 2002
CMU Model allows update of activity and emission factor data
Pechan recently developed activity inputs for 2007 for Livestock and Crop Fertilizer using the same data sources as CMU v3.6
Livestock
USDA, 2007 Census of Agriculture
Crop Fertilizer
Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, Commercial Fertilizers 2007

31. Use recent existing “accepted” information and proportionally update/adjust by animal counts where it makes sense – Don’t reinvent the wheel! Try to assure that haze SIP data are consistent.
Evaluate the results of the WRAP studies and related data and make specific refinements where they make the most priority sense.
Denali – AK tourist pix

32. Questions?
Comments?
Discussion?
Myrtle Beach Sun rise.jhs