Comparison of seasonal phenol andp-cresol emissions from ground-level area sources in a dairy operation in central Texas

Abstract

Although there are more than 200 odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phenol and p-cresol are two prominent odor-causing VOCs found downwind from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The VOC emissions from cattle and dairy production are difficult to quantify accurately because of their low concentrations, spatial variability, and limitations of available instruments. To quantify VOCs, a protocol following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method TO-14A has been established based on the isolation flux chamber method and a portable gas chromatograph (GC) coupled with a purge-and-trap system. The general objective of this research was to quantify phenol and p-cresol emission rates (ERs) from different ground-level area sources (GLASs) in a free-stall dairy during summer and winter seasons using this protocol. Two-week-long sampling campaigns were conducted in a dairy operation in central Texas. Twenty-nine air samples were collected during winter and 37 samples were collected during summer from six specifically delineated GLASs (barn, loafing pen, lagoon, settling basin, silage pile, and walkway) at the free-stall dairy. Thirteen VOCs were identified during the sampling period and the GC was calibrated for phenol and p-cresol, the primary odorous VOCs identified. The overall calculated ERs for phenol and p-cresol were 2656 AE 728 and 763 AE 212 mg hd À1 day À1 , respectively, during winter. Overall phenol and p-cresol ERs were calculated to be 1183 AE 361 and 551 AE 214 mg hd À1 day À1 , respectively, during summer. In general, overall phenol and p-cresol ERs during winter were about 2.3 and 1.4 times, respectively, higher than those during summer.Implications: Concentrated animal feeding operations contribute a considerable amount of VOCs to the atmosphere. The phenol and p-cresol are two VOCs recognized as potential odor-causing compounds emitted from livestock operation. To develop effective strategies for mitigating livestock odorous VOC emissions, relative emissions from different GLAS in a livestock operation under different climate conditions should be quantified. It is also important to obtain direct estimates of VOC emissions from different GLAS in CAFOs to compile emission inventories. This research determined phenol and p-cresol emissions from different GLAS in a free-stall dairy and also identified areas in a dairy operations that have the highest phenol and p-cresol emissions.

Modelling aerosol molecular markers in a 3D air quality model: Focus on anthropogenic organic markers

“…For the phenolic compounds (phenol, cresol and guaiacol), only emissions from biomass burning have been updated. Although emissions from other sectors, notably livestock (Borhan et al, 2012;Cai et al, 2011;Hobbs et al, 2004), have been reported in literature, no data suitable for a robust estimation of the emissions have been provided.…”

Effect of slurry treatment approaches on the reduction of major odorant emissions at a hog barn facility in South Korea

“…Similar to our observations, ammonia, sulfide, phenol, and p-cresol compounds have been commonly identified as one of the dominant odorants in a slurry and air sample of hog barn facilities. [6,29] In our recent study, the emission characteristics of major odorants in ambient air samples were measured from field sites such as each selected site from the same hog confinement facilities. When the results are compared in terms of OI, certain odorants (sulfur compounds, VFAs, phenols, and indoles) tend to occur most dominantly at most sites.…”

Forming 4-Methylcatechol as the Dominant Bioavailable Metabolite of Intraruminal Rutin Inhibits p-Cresol Production in Dairy Cows

“…It has been considered as a uremic toxin due to the correlation between serum p-cresol sulfate and endothelial damage in kidney disease [43]. In addition, p-cresol is widely considered as a prominent volatile organic compound responsible for the odor of concentrated cattle and dairy operations [44]. Therefore, decreased p-cresol in rumen fluid and decreased p-cresol sulfate in plasma and urine should be considered as beneficial effects of rutin consumption.…”