Objective:
Enumeration and characterization of the types/amounts of microbial bioaerosols, viable and gram-negative lipopolysaccharides, emitted during land application of anaerobically produced Class B biosolids at a field research site in North Carolina. Volatile organic compounds producing malodors and particulate matter (PM10) will also be collected and analyzed (chemically, molecularly, and biologically). Measurements of concurrent atmospheric conditions will be used to calculate emissions and transport downwind of any emitted aerosols.

Approach:
Air samples will be collected using an array of 9 stationary and 1 mobile platform equipped with three different types of bioaerosol samplers. The samplers will be operated simultaneously for specific periods of time prior to, and during land application of biosolids. Samples of the air and solids being applied will be analyzed for a suite of bacterial groups, fungi, enteric viruses, and endotoxin, simultaneously with odorous volatiles collection and analysis from the field to which the biosolids were applied.