Modeling the H₂S concentrations affected by shelterbelts downwind from a swine facility

Odor from swine facilities can be a nuisance to the nearby residences and communities. Shelterbelts have been shown to positively impact the downwind air quality, but the impacts are dependent on wind speed and direction, and shelterbelt configuration. The objective of this research was to develop an empirical model of shelterbelt-induced hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) concentration reductions as a function of horizontal distance beyond a swine facility, based on data from a field study. The field study measured H₂S concentrations at a swine facility at four discrete distances beyond the barn (55, 246, 510, and 805 m), two measurement heights (1.5 and 5 m), and with four shelterbelt configurations (no shelterbelt, 1-row, 2-row and 3-row). Data from this study were sorted using a data selection criteria process, resulting in eight potential regression models. Each regression model was compared to a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model, using correlation and line of regression analyses. The selected model was incorporated into the South Dakota Odor Footprint Tool, which is a livestock siting tool. The modeled effects of shelterbelts on typical swine facilities are presented.