Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities

Williams, Ben; Hayes, Enda T; Nasir, Zaheer; Rolph, Catherine; Jackson, Simon; Khera, Shagun; Bennett, Alan; Gladding, Toni; Drew, Gillian; Tyrrel, Sean

The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities Thumbnail


Authors

Profile Image

Dr Ben Williams Ben3.Williams@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Research Fellow in Air Quality Management

Profile Image

Enda Hayes Enda.Hayes@uwe.ac.uk
Prof in Air Quality & Carbon Management/School Director (Research & Enterprise)

Zaheer Nasir

Catherine Rolph

Simon Jackson

Shagun Khera

Alan Bennett

Toni Gladding

Gillian Drew

Sean Tyrrel



Contributors

D. Almorza
Editor

C.A. Brebbia
Editor

Abstract

© 2017 WIT Press. Bioaerosols are ubiquitous organic particles that comprise viruses, bacteria and coarser fractions of organic matter. Known to adversely affect human health, the impact of bioaerosols on a population often manifests as outbreaks of illnesses such as Legionnaires Disease and Q fever, although the concentrations and environmental conditions in which these impacts occur are not well understood. Bioaerosol concentrations vary from source to source, but specific human activities such as water treatment, intensive agriculture and composting facilitate the generation of bioaerosol concentrations many times higher than natural background levels. Bioaerosols are not considered 'traditional' pollutants in the same way as PM10, PM2.5, and gases such as NO2, and consequently dispersion models do not include a bespoke method for their assessment. As identified in previous studies, priority areas for improving the robustness of these dispersion models include: 1) the development of bespoke monitoring studies designed to generate accurate modelling input data; 2) the publication of a robust emissions inventory; 3) a code of practice to provide guidelines for consistent bioaerosol modelling practices; and 4) a greater understanding of background bioaerosol emissions. The aim of this research project, funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC), is to address these key areas through a better understanding of the generation, concentration and potential dispersion of bioaerosols from intensive agricultural and biowaste facilities, using case studies developed at specific locations within the UK. The objective is to further refine existing bioaerosol monitoring and modelling guidelines to provide a more robust framework for regulating authorities and site operators. This contribution outlines the gaps that hinder robust dispersion modelling, and describes the on-site bioaerosol data collection methods used in the study, explaining how they might be used to close these gaps. Examples of bioaerosol dispersion modelled using ADMS 5 are presented and discussed.

Citation

Williams, B., Hayes, E. T., Nasir, Z., Rolph, C., Jackson, S., Khera, S., …Tyrrel, S. (2017). The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 211, 51-59. https://doi.org/10.2495/AIR170051

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 3, 2017
Publication Date Apr 25, 2017
Deposit Date Sep 11, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment
Print ISSN 1746-448X
Electronic ISSN 1743-3541
Publisher WIT Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 211
Pages 51-59
DOI https://doi.org/10.2495/AIR170051
Keywords bioaerosols, ADMS, dispersion modelling, composting
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/888911
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.2495/air170051

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations