Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm

Dairy Farm Emissions in California: The Impact on Disadvantaged Communities

Thursday, April 22, 2021 | 12:00 pm
Brenna Biggs
Graduate Researcher
Event Details

Many California regulations try to decelerate climate change by mitigating emissions from various industries. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide must be fully understood to meet these strict reduction goals. Dairy farms release these GHGs enterically (i.e., from cows) and from manure management. This study aims to better understand these GHGs, as well as additional gases, at a Visalia dairy farm in California. All samples were collected using whole air sampling techniques and analyzed using gas chromatography to identify and quantify many trace gases. Samples were collected at the dairy farm during five campaigns: September 2018, March 2019, June 2019, September 2019, and January 2020 and compared to airborne and remote air samples to determine their enhancements relative to background concentrations. This research establishes previously unexplored or misrepresented sources of various gases, which is important for the success of the state’s reduction efforts, the environment, and the health of surrounding communities. California’s San Joaquin Valley, an extremely productive agricultural area, also contains many disadvantaged communities. Residents typically experience low socioeconomic status and a disproportionate amount of air pollution, which can lead to health problems. In addition to GHGs, this study also explores how direct emissions from dairy farms may affect these communities living downwind throughout the San Joaquin Valley. This study explores the contribution of trace gases from dairy farms in California to the formation of pollution and odor in these surrounding communities. Solutions for decreasing trace gas emissions from these sources at the statewide scale are also proposed.

About the Speaker

Brenna Biggs, Ph.D. is a recent Chemistry graduate from the Rowland-Blake lab at UC Irvine, interested in air pollution and environmental justice issues in California.