Particulate matter is an important environmental
problem for which abatement measures are being developed to reduce the
emissions for a number of sources categories, including animal farming. A
part of this policy the government supports reduction measures for the
intensive animal farms, among others exhaust air filters. In the framework
of the reconstruction policy LOGs (Agricultural Development Regions) are
selected in which the concentration of farms and the implementation of
exhaust air filters are combined.
To monitor the effect of the measures the Ministry of VROM and the provinces
of Noord-Brabant en Gelderland have initiated research to follow the
developments in the LOG by measuring concentrations. The National Institute
for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has set up a limited monitoring
network for ammonia (NH3) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2,5) in the LOG
De Rips in Noord-Brabant consisting of three monitorsites. The first
evaluation focuses on the applicability of the developed research setup.
The impact of NH3-emissions in the LOG is clearly discernible in the
concentrations measured on the down-wind site (average approximately 60% of
the up-wind concentration) applying a wind directional analysis. A simple
wind rose also indicates clearly observable contributions of the emissions
in the LOG. For PM10 and PM2,5 the wind directional analysis approach is
necessary, in the wind rose the contribution from the LOG is obscured by a
contribution from the southeast (probably large scale) and other sources of
PM.
The results support the expectation that the developments in the LOG can be
monitored and carry the decision to continue the project and setup the
monitoring network in the LOG in the Gelderse Vallei in Gelderland, using an
identical setup.
To allow the interpretation of the observed concentrations the activities in
the LOG need to be registered. A protocol is currently being developed in
collaboration with the provinces and the involved authorities
(municipalities, local trade organizations and individual
businesses.
