Local dust emission factors for agricultural tilling operations

Dust emission factors for regional- and local-scale simulations of particulate matter with diameters less than or equal to 10 μm (PM ₁₀) dispersion from agricultural operations are not generally available. This article presents a modification of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency AP-42 approach to better calculate aerosol emission factors of PM₁₀ for agricultural tilling operations. For the modification, we added the variables soil moisture, operation type, and crop type based on experimental and literature data to estimate local emission factors. Field experiments to measure the PM₁₀ emissions from rolling, disking, listing, planting, and harvesting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were conducted. Data from these field experiments plus literature data were used to isolate the effects of soil moisture and operation type on the emissions. Literature data were then used to add different crop and operation types.