Odour assessment for a pig farm through dynamic olfactometry and air dispersion modelling in order to reduce the odour pollution using biotechnologies

Abstract

Odour represents one the most actual topics in terms of industrial pig farming pollution effects, mainly because of the increasing number of settlements build in traditional farming areas but also because of the overpopulation of pigsties. The odour impact assessment was requested by a big pig farm in order to comply to the request of the Environmental Agency to reduce the odour impact on nearby settlements. Odour assessment was done using dynamic olfactometry, mathematical modelling of dispersion and FIDOL factors. The initial assessment was used to elaborate and apply an odour management plan based on biotechnologies which consisted mainly in biological treatments applied to the floor of the pigsties, the slurry transportation channels and the slurry tanks with specific products designed to reduce the Ammonia level, break down her sulphurous compounds in the slurry and increase the quality of the slurry as fertilizer, with the final target of reducing the odour emissions. Results indicate a considerable decrease of odour concentrations in the closest settlements, around the farm and inside pigsties. Further measures must be taken as the concentrations are still over the limit values from most European countries.