Influence of feedyards on bioaerosols of two small towns on the Southern High Plains

Purdy, Charles W.; Rice, William C.; Clark, R Nolan; Straus, David C.

Influence of feedyards on bioaerosols of two small towns on the Southern High Plains

2010

Purdy, Charles W. | Rice, William C. | Clark, R Nolan | Straus, David C.

Aerosol particulates and bioaerosols were compared between two small cities located in the Southern High Plains. Aerosol particulate generators in rural communities have not been well studied. City A had more than 35 feedyards located in and near it, while City B had one feedyard located beyond the air sampling area. Two sites were located in each of the two cities, and one farm was located downwind of each city. The sites were monitored non-concurrently in the fall. Aerosol particulates were monitored by using PM2.5 and PM10 gravimetric monitors; two cyclones air samplers, two laser aerosol monitors, six biological cascade impactors, and a weather station. There were significantly (P<0.0001) higher mean concentrations of PM2.5 particulates for City A (16.48 +/- 1.3 μg/m3 of air) compared to City B (7.22 +/- 0.7 μg/m3 of air). The cyclone monitor and laser aerosol monitor data indicated higher total concentration of particulates in City B than City A. City A had a significantly (P< 0.0001) higher concentration of total microbes 55.7 +/- 3.9 μg/m3] of air compared to City B, 33.9 +/- 2.2 [mu]g/m3] of air. The maximum windspeed was higher and lasted for a longer duration in City B than in City A. It was concluded that the feedyards probably increased the concentration of PM2.5 particulates in and around City A. These data may have far reaching implications for cities considering having feedyards located in or around their vicinity.

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