Misting; A Viable Conservation Management Practice for Reducing PM10 Generated by Disking

The purpose of this award is for the grantee to quantify the particulate matter (PM10) reduction of a fine water mist apparatus attached to an agricultural disk and to validate the previously established emission factors for disking.A dust control unit (DCU) will be mounted on a 12-foot disk. The methodology for monitoring the PM emissions will follow the accepted protocol established by the Protocol Subcommittee of the Air District. The PM10 emissions will be monitored before and after the passage of the disk and before and after the DCU is in operation. Also monitored will be the temperatures of the soil, ambient air, and the PM-laden air; wind speed and direction; soil moisture, texture, structure, and organic matter. When the PM10 emissions are proved to be significantly reduced (>10%), the DCU will be listed as a Conservation Management Practice (CMP) by the SJVAPCD and available for use by farmers in their required CMP Plans.