Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

HOSTED BY Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Atmospheric Pollution Research

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/apr

Dispersion modeling and air quality measurements to evaluate the odor

impact of a wastewater treatment plant in İzmir
Faruk Dinçer∗, Fatih Kemal Dinçer, Deniz Sarı, Özcan Ceylan, Özgen Ercan
TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Environment and Cleaner Production Institute, Barış Mah. Dr. Zeki Acar Cad. No:1 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WTP) are potential sources of offensive odors that can create annoyance
Wastewater treatment plants in the communities. Therefore, odors have been rated as the primary concern of the public relative to the
Odor implementation of wastewater treatment facilities. In this study, dispersion modeling and air quality measure-
Air quality ments were used to quantify the potential odor impact around a Wastewater Treatment Plant in İzmir. AERMOD
Dispersion modeling
atmospheric dispersion model was used to predict odor levels in OU/m3 around the treatment plant. Odor
measurement results of the wastewater treatment plant units that are considered as area odor sources were used
for odor modeling. Air quality measurements of H2S and NH3, which are two main odorous compounds emitted
from wastewater treatment plants, were also conducted by using passive sampling methodology in the sur-
roundings of the plant to evaluate the odor impact of the plant. Both odor emission and air quality measurements
were conducted in the period of July–august 2018 for evaluation of odor impact, and consequent application of
dispersion model. The air quality measurements of the pollutants which exceed the odor threshold values do not
create annoying odor impact on residential areas. The dispersion modeling demonstrates that the odor con-
centrations exceeding 10 OU/m3 concentration levels that can be measured olfactometrically also do not create
an odor impact on local residents.

Credit author statement Muezzinoglu, 2007).

Faruk Dinçer; Ideas; formulation of overarching research goals and
aims, development of Methodology Fatih Kemal Dinçer; Conducting
odor and air quality measurements, Deniz Sarı;; Application of
AERMOD model, results of odor pollution maps Özcan Ceylan;
Reviewing and editing of the manuscript Özgen Ercan; Evaluating air
quality measurement results.
1. Introduction
Odor emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) are be-
coming an important source of environmental nuisance. In the last
decades, public complaints over odors originating from wastewater
collection, transfer and treatment operations has increased. It is un-
derstood that odorous gases cause air pollution, affect the quality of life
and may cause health symptoms such as loss of appetite, insomnia and
the development of irrational attitude (Brennan, 1993; Gostelow et al.,
2001). Assessment of the odor levels together with air quality levels of
odorous pollutants are necessary for odor control projects (Dincer and
Odor measurements are performed with sensory measurements that
employ the human nose as detector. In this method, panelists test the
odorous air at predetermined dilutions. These panelists are selected to
have an average sensing capacity in accordance with the
EN13725:2003 standard method (CEN, 2003). The strength of odor
perception as perceived by the panelists is measured, and the results are
used as the odor concentration of the stimulant in OU/m3 by using this
standard method (Dincer and Muezzinoglu, 2007).
Gaussian atmospheric dispersion models like the industrial source
complex model (McIntyre, 2000; Henshaw et al., 2006), AERMOD
(Latos et al., 2011; Baawain et al., 2017; Huang and Guo, 2019) and the
CALPUFF model (Yu et al., 2009; Ranzato et al., 2012; Badach et al.,
2018) have been implemented for the evaluation of odor impacts in
different cases. Dispersion modeling can effectively be used to predict
the dispersion of odors by using suitable odor emission data and to
present a link with complaints and, secondly, to estimate the maximum
odor emissions which can be allowed from a location in order to pro-
hibit odor complaints (McIntyre, 2000).
The main odorous compounds released into the atmosphere from

Peer review under responsibility of Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control.
∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: faruk.dincer@tubitak.gov.tr (F. Dinçer).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2020.05.018
Received 7 February 2020; Received in revised form 15 May 2020; Accepted 16 May 2020
1309-1042/ © 2020 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Please cite this article as: Faruk Dinçer, et al., Atmospheric Pollution Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2020.05.018
F. Dinçer, et al.
WTPs include sulfur-containing substances such as hydrogen sulfide,
dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and mercaptanes together with
ammonia, amines, indole and skatole that are nitrogen containing
substances (Easter et al., 2005; Nicell and Henshaw, 2007). Odor
emissions may also contain many other odorants such as organic acids,
aldehydes and ketones that are known as volatile organic compounds
(Dincer and Muezzinoglu, 2007). All of these odorants are the products
of anaerobic decay. Due to this decay wastewater become septic and
has a strong potential to become odorous.
Among many odorous chemicals emitted from WTPs, sulfur origi-
nated compounds are commonly thought to be the main odorous sub-
stances that create annoyance from WTPs (Bylinski et al., 2019). This
case is due to the low olfactory threshold concentrations of these
compounds as compared to other compounds (e.g., hydrogen sulfide,
0.47 ppb (EA, 2007); dimethyl sulfide, 3 ppb; dimethyl disulfide,
2.2 ppb; methyl mercaptane, 0.07 ppb and ethyl mercaptane,
0.0087 ppb as compared to toluene, 330 ppb and acetonitrile,
13,000 ppb (Nagata, 2003)). In many cases, a significant odorous
compound may be dominant and can let a marker of the overall odor
concentration. H2S is usually known as the dominant odorant asso-
ciated with WTPs due to presence in higher concentrations than other
odorants together with common measurement applications in sewage
treatment works (Gostelow and Parsons, 2000).
This work presents a methodology to evaluate the odor impacts of a
WTP by using odor and air quality measurements together with the use
of dispersion modeling. In order to achieve the goals of the study; (1)
odor emission measurements of the WTP units were done, (2) the
AERMOD dispersion model was used to evaluate odor impacts of the
WTP and (3) air quality measurements of H2S and NH3 were conducted
around the WTP domain.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Description of the WTP
Izmir WTP, which is serving 3.6 million population, has been op-
erating since 2001 and treats 7 m3/s mixed domestic and pretreated
industrial wastewater (Dincer and Muezzinoglu, 2007). All treatment
units of the WTP are open to the atmosphere and extended aeration
with using surface aerators is the treatment method. Odor samples were
collected from fine screen, aerated grit chamber, primary sedimentation
tank, sludge storage tank, aeration tank, final sedimentation tank and
sludge cake storage area of the WTP. Sampling was conducted on July
06, 2018, which coincides with the mid of the hot and arid season in
this Mediterranean region. The ambient air temperature during sam-
pling was 36 °C. Samples were collected between 09:30 a.m. and 13:00
p.m. The flow diagram of the WTP is given in Fig. 1 together with the
odor sampling points.
2.2. Odor measurements
Three samples were collected from each sampling point from the
headspaces of the WTP units by using a specific sampling hood, which
has a surface area of 1 m2, located onto the surface of the sampling
locations. The recommendations described in the European Standard
EN 13725 (CEN, 2003) were followed both in the design of this sam-
pling hood and the sampling procedure. Air samples were taken by
using a special sampling device working with lung principle into 5-L
Nalophan bags. These bags are made for single use as well as im-
permeable to pollutants and absolutely odorant taste-free. Samples
were analyzed within 30 h after sampling.
Dynamic olfactometry was used for the measurement of odor con-
centrations of the samples that measures the odor concentration in
terms of dilutions required to reduce an odorous compound until its
threshold concentration. These measurements were conducted inside a
clean and odor-free laboratory with trained panelists. The panelists had
2
Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx
average sensing capability and were selected in accordance with the
EN13725:2003 standard (CEN, 2003), which is the method followed
throughout. Each sample was diluted in the olfactometer (Odournet
TO8, Kiel, Germany) by presenting to the panelists three times, which
differs from each other by a dilution factor of two. This method utilizes
a “yes/no” technique and determines the number of times a sample
must be diluted until the threshold of detection by 50% of the panelists
is obtained.
2.3. Model description
AERMOD is a steady-state plume dispersion model designed for
short-range simulations (up to 50 km) in meteorological conditions that
are assumed to be constant during the modeling period of 1hr and
horizontally homogenous (USEPA, 2004). AERMOD is suitable over flat
and complex terrains, within urban and rural areas affected by multiple
surface/elevated emission sources including point, area and volume
sources (Fileni et al., 2018).
Temperature, wind direction together with wind speed are the
surface meteorological parameters that AERMOD employs. Some other
parameters are also required such as friction velocity, the height of the
convectively boundary layer, surface roughness length (z0) and vertical
potential temperature gradient. Surface roughness, Bowen ratio and
albedo, that are known as surface characteristics are also needed in
order to set up similarity profiles of the relevant boundary layer para-
meters. The modeling chain is formed with a main module (AERMOD)
and two pre-processors (AERMET and AERMAP). AERMAP pre-pro-
cessor is a tool for generating receptor grids and characterizes the ter-
rain features. The main goal of AERMET is to calculate boundary layer
parameters employed by the meteorological interface, internal to
AERMOD, to create vertical profiles of the meteorological variables.
AERMOD, which is the recommended regulatory model by the
USEPA, is one of the most commonly used Gaussian models all over the
world (Sarr et al., 2010). AERMOD is used and recommended for esti-
mating odor dispersions because of its very good performance espe-
cially in the near field (Chang et al., 2009; Melo et al., 2012; Huang and
Guo, 2019).
The advantages of AERMOD are; (1) prediction effects of odor
emissions at grid receptors with a high temporal resolution or a discrete
receptor, (2) considered topographic features according to simple and
complex terrain, (3) evaluated surface and upper air meteorological
conditions together and (4) suited for predicting dispersion in the near-
field from sources. The disadvantages of the model are using meteor-
ological data obtained from only a station and increasing uncertainty
with distance from the source.
In this study, AERMET meteorological model and AERMOD were
applied for seven different 10 × 10 km areas with the WTP being at the
center with 50 × 50 m gridding. Elevation data of the study area were
obtained from NASA's Radar Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission
(SRTM) 90 m Digital Elevation Data” file on the Consortium for Spatial
Information (CGIAR-CSI) website.
2.4. Meteorological data
Wind direction and velocity, temperature, cloudiness, cloud height,
pressure, relative humidity data are the meteorological data that were
gathered for one year period from the study area using two meteor-
ological stations (the base year of 2017). Pressure, measurement alti-
tude, temperature, wind direction and wind speed values for radio-
sonde data from İzmir meteorological station belonging to the same
period were also used. The wind roses of İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport
and Çiğli Airport Meteorological Stations, which are the closest stations
to the studied facilities, were given in Fig. 2. AERMET results were used
as input for the AERMOD dispersion model.
F. Dinçer, et al.
Fig. 1. Flow diagram and odor sampling points of WTP.
2.5. Air quality measurements
H2S and NH3 were measured using diffusive samplers. Diffusive
samplers, which are able to sample gaseous pollutants from the atmo-
sphere controlled by physical processes such as molecular diffusion
through a static air layer or penetration through a membrane, are
known as passive samplers (Berlin et al., 1987).
Measurements were conducted for 1 month at eleven sampling
points including, urban, suburban, rural and industrial sampling loca-
tions (Fig. 3) in the period of July–August 2018 (between 06.07.2018
and 08.08.2018). Absorbent solutions were used to collect the related
pollutants; zinc acetate for H2S and sulfuric acid for NH3. H2S passive
samplers made up of from black acrylic tubes (71 mm in length and
3
Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx
11.0 mm internal diameter) fitted with black thermoplastic rubber caps
and NH3 passive samplers made up of fluorinated ethylene polymer
tubes (35.5 mm in length and 11.0 mm internal diameter) fitted with
yellow and white thermoplastic rubber caps were purchased commer-
cially and used as received.
All passive samplers used in the study were obtained from Gradko
Environmental Ltd. (UK). The analyses were done using UV/visible
spectrophotometry for H2S and ion chromatography for NH3. Limit of
detection and overall method uncertainty values were provided in the
analysis reports as 0.031 ± 17.4% μg for H2S and 0.11 ± 9.6% μg
NH4+ for NH3.
F. Dinçer, et al.
Fig. 2. The wind roses of İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (a) and Çiğli Airport (b) meteorological stations.
3. Results and discussions
3.1. Odor measurement results
The results of olfactometric measurements (odor concentrations and
odor emission rates) are presented in Table 1. Odor concentrations of
the samples varied between 131 and 16384 OU/m3 with a geometric
mean value of 2553 OU/m3.
The odor emission rate, which is defined as odor units per time (qod,
OU/h or OU/sec), has been widely used not only for atmospheric dis-
persion calculations but also for the regulations. For active odor
sources, which have an outward and usually forced airflow, like aera-
tion tanks, biofilters and etc., the odor emission rate is the result of the
odor concentration (Cou, OU/m3) and the volumetric flow rate (Qair,
m3/h). For passive sources like WTPs units, lagoons and etc., odor
emission is enabled by natural flow of ambient air, and is often quan-
tified by the area-related odor emission rate, given as OU (m2/h). The
odor emission rate is then calculated by multiplying the total area of the
odor source and the areal odor emission rate.
In Turkey, odor emission is regulated by “Regulation on Control of
Odor Emissions (Official Gazette, 19.07.2013, No:28712)”. Any facility
having odor emission should measure its odor emissions if there is a
complaint about the facility. There are limit values for odor con-
centrations of odor sources (either point or area sources). These limit
values are 1,000 OU/m3 and 10,000 OU/m3. If a source has an odor
concentration below 1,000 OU/m3, no further action is necessary for
that source and facility. If a source has an odor concentration between
1,000 OU/m3 - 10,000 OU/m3, the facility must be done odor control or
additional odor control measures and must report the measurement
results to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. If a source has
an odor concentration above 10,000 OU/m3, after administrative pen-
alty application, the facility must have to do odor control or additional
odor control measures and must have report the measurement results to
the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
The odor concentrations determined at the fine screen, aerated grit
chamber and sludge storage tank were above the limit value of 10,000
OU/m3. Primary sedimentation tank and sludge cake storage area re-
sults varied between 1,000 OU/m3 - 10,000 OU/m3. Therefore, based
on upper information, odor control measures should have to be taken at
these sources.
4
Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx
3.2. Modeling results
AERMOD model was used to implement a study of the odor pollu-
tion distribution that may be originated due to the odor emissions from
the İzmir WTP to the community living in the surrounding area. Odor
emission rates that were given in Table 1 were used for model calcu-
lations.
The maximum odor concentration values obtained by running the
model according to the grid system coordinates in the model study area
determined for İzmir WWTP are given in Table 2. Odor pollution maps
showing diurnal and annual maximum values calculated for each grid
peak within the study area are given in Fig. 4. The maximum values
remain within the WTP site.
Olfactometric measurements cannot be made on samples below 10
OU m−3 odor concentrations. For these situations either field studies
based on semiqualitative statistical evaluations around the odor sources
or atmospheric dispersion models are used to prepare odor maps in field
investigations around odorous facilities (VDI, 1993). In this study,
model results discussions are made for the 10 OU/m3 ambient odor
concentration levels which above the limit of human perception (Elbir
et al., 2007).
As it can be seen from Fig. 4, daily maximum odor concentrations do
not create an odor impact on local residents, but annoying odor impact
can be seen on industrial locations, while annual maximum odor con-
centrations do not create an odor impact both on local residents and
industrial locations.
3.3. Air quality measurement results
The measured values of H2S and NH3 at all sampling points between
July–August 2018 period are given in Table 3. H2S concentrations
varied between 0.08 and 52.05 μg/m3, while NH3 concentrations varied
between 13.73 and 286.33 μg/m3.
Maximum H2S concentration (52.05 μg/m3) was measured at SP-1
point which is the entrance of the İzmir WTP. Maximum NH3 con-
centration (286.33 μg/m3) was measured at SP-11 which is the sludge
storage of the WTP.
The lowest odor threshold concentration value for hydrogen sulfide
is given by EA (2007) as 0.71 μg/m3. The hydrogen sulfur odor in the
ambient air can be recognized if its concentration reaches above this
value. The hydrogen sulfur concentrations obtained in this study were
F. Dinçer, et al. Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

Fig. 3. Location of H2S and NH3 sampling points.

Table 1 Table 2
Odor concentrations and odor emission rates of sampling points. Odor concentration levels from İzmir WTP.
Sampling Point Odor concentration Odor emission rate Time Period Coordinates Concentration (OU/m3)
(OU/m3) (OU/(m2/sec))
X Y
Fine screen 16384 1049
Aerated grit chamber 12040 771 Daily 500258 4258470 11534
Primary sedimentation tank 3866 247 Annual 500258 4258470 1551
Sludge storage tank 13004 832
Aeration tank 199 12.7
Final sedimentation tank 131 8.38 odor threshold concentration value.
Sludge cake storage area 2734 175
H2S concentrations of SP-1 to SP-6 sampling points are above the
odor threshold concentration value. SP-1 and SP-2 are located in the
evaluated based on the threshold concentration value. WTP site, where SP-3 is very near to the WTP. These three sampling
The lowest odor threshold concentration value for ammonia is given points are affected by the WTP. SP-4 and SP-5 are located near an in-
by Ruth (1986) as 26.6 μg/m3. The ammonia odor in the ambient air dustrial organized district, while SP-6 is located at a wastewater
can be recognized if its concentration reaches above this value. Am- pumping station. These three sampling points are affected by these
monia concentrations measured in this study are evaluated based on sources.

5
F. Dinçer, et al. Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

Fig. 4. Odor pollution maps of İzmir WTP.

Table 3 (2012). Reche et al. (2012) reported NH3 concentrations of Barcelona

Air quality measurement results of H2S and NH3. city with a mean value of 10.6 μg/m3 during July 2011 and 3.9 μg/m3
Sampling Coordinates Measurement results (μg/m3) during January 2011. The NH3 concentrations of rural sampling points
Point (06.07.2018–08.08.2018 period) are also higher than previous studies. Meng et al., 2011 reported NH3
concentrations with a mean value of 4.5 μg/m3 in rural areas of China.
N E H2S NH3

SP-1 38° 28.619 27° 00.572 52.05 66.26

SP-2 38° 28.722 27° 00.525 21.39 66.09 4. Conclusions
SP-3 38° 28.637 27° 00.829 10.23 24.91
SP-4 38° 28.335 27° 02.056 4.22 23.18 Odor emissions from the İzmir WTP have a potential for complaints
SP-5 38° 28.411 27° 03.440 2.02 15.67
in the neighborhood. The minimization and reduction of unpleasant
SP-6 38° 29.651 27° 01.492 1.02 14.23
SP-7 38° 29.621 26° 59.692 0.08 15.07 odor emissions from the WTPs are the new interests worldwide. This
SP-8 38° 29.646 27° 00.591 0.17 13.73 study focused on assessment/management of odor emissions, the ap-
SP-9 38° 31.063 27° 01.877 0.44 15.67 plication of air dispersion modeling by using AERMOD and air quality
SP-10 38° 29.344 27° 03.148 0.53 14.77
measurements of two odorous gases emitted from İzmir WTP.
SP-11 38° 29.118 27° 00.280 0.60 286.33
Utilization of AERMOD dispersion model from different sources with
varied concentration levels revealed important information related to
In this study based on H2S findings, urban (SP-10), suburban (SP-9) odor emissions from the WTP. Based on these odor emission values odor
and rural (SP-7, SP-8) sampling points are not affected by the İzmir modeling studies demonstrate that the odor concentrations exceeding
WTP. H2S concentrations found at that sampling points are much lower 10 OU/m3 concentration levels that can be measured olfactometrically
than the concentrations reported by Kourtidis et al. (2008). Kourtidis do not create an odor impact on local residents. Air quality measure-
et al. (2008) reported H2S concentrations for the city of Thessaloniki in ments of H2S and NH3 which do not exceed the odor threshold values
an urban sampling point with a mean value of 12 μg/m3 during the do not create annoying odor impact on residential areas also.
summer months of 2008. Although the modeling and air quality measurement results showed
NH3 concentrations of SP-1, SP-2 and SP-11 are above the odor that residential areas are not affected by İzmir WTP, the odor con-
threshold concentration value. These three sampling locations are lo- centrations of WTP units are above the limit values and need to be
cated in the WTP site so are affected by the WTP. The NH3 con- purified by using odor treatment applications in order to meet the
centrations of the other sampling point are below the odor threshold Regulations and for better air quality for WTP's staff. Seasonal odor
value. measurements together with modeling applications should be done
NH3 concentrations found at urban and suburban sampling loca- afterwards.
tions are higher than the concentrations reported by Reche et al.

6
F. Dinçer, et al.
References
Baawain, M., Al-Mamun, A., Omidvarborna, H., Al-Jabri, A., 2017. Assessment of hy-
drogen sulfide emission from a sewage treatment plant using AERMOD. Environ
Monit Assess 189, 263.
Badach, J., Kolasinska, P., Paciorek, M., Wojnowski, W., Dymerski, T., Gebicki, J.,
Dymnicka, M., Namiesnik, J., 2018. A case study of odour nuisance evaluation in the
context of integrated urban planning. J Environ. Manage 213, 417–424.
Berlin, R., Brown, R.H., Saunders, K.J. (Eds.), 1987. Diffusive Sampling: an Alternative
Approach to Workplace Air Monitoring. Royal Society of Chemistry, London, UK.
Brennan, B., 1993. Odour nuisance. Water Waste Treat 36, 30–33.
Byliński, H., Barczak, R.J., Gębicki, J., Namieśnik, J., 2019. Monitoring of odors emitted
from stabilized dewatered sludge subjected to aging using proton transfer re-
action–mass spectrometry. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 26, 5500–5513.
Chang, W.S., Chen, S.S., Chang, J.H., Chang, T.C., 2009. Odor load investigation for a
pharmaceutical plant by open path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR)/environ-
mental protection agency regulatory dispersion model (AERMOD). Environ. Forensics
10, 82–91.
Comite Europe en de Normalisation (CEN), 2003. Air Quality – Determination of Odor
Concentration by Dynamic Olfactometry. European Standard EN 13725, Brussels 74
pages.
Dincer, F., Muezzinoglu, A., 2007. Odor determination at wastewater collection systems;
olfactometry versus H2S analyses. CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water 35 (6), 565–570.
Easter, C., Quigley, C., Burrowes, P., Witherspoon, J., Apgar, D., 2005. Odor and air
emissions control using biotechnology for both collection and wastewater treatment
systems. Chem. Eng. J 113 (2–3), 93–104.
Environment Agency (EA), 2007. Review of odour character and thresholds. Report No:
SC030170/SR2. ISBN: 978-1-84432-719-5, Bristol, UK.
Elbir, T., Dincer, F., Muezzinoglu, A., 2007. Evaluation of measured and predicted odor
concentrations around a meat packaging and rendering plant. Environ. Eng. Sci. 24
(3), 313–320.
Fileni, L., Matteucci, G., Passerini, G., Rizza, U., 2018. Analysis of air pollutant emissions
in a wastewater treatment plant using dispersion models. In: In: Casares, J., Passerini,
G., Barnes, J., Longhurst, J., Perillo, G. (Eds.), WIT Transactions on Ecology and
Environment, Air Pollution XXVI, vol. 230. pp. 219–230. https://doi.org/10.2495/
AIR180211. Southhampton.
Gostelow, P., Parsons, S.A., 2000. Sewage treatment works odour measurement. Water
Sci. Technol 41 (6), 33–40.
Gostelow, P., Parsons, S.A., Stuetz, M., 2001. Odour measurements for sewage treatment
works. Water Res. 35, 579–597.
Henshaw, P., Nicell, J.A., Sikdar, A., 2006. Parameters for the assessment of odor impacts
Atmospheric Pollution Research xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx
on communities. Atmos. Environ 40 (6), 1016–1029.
Huang, D., Guo, D., 2019. Dispersion modeling of odour, gases and respirable dust using
AERMOD for poultry and dairy barns in the Canadian Prairies. Sci. Total Environ 690,
620–628.
Kourtidis, K., Kelesis, A., Petrakakis, M., 2008. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in urban ambient
air. Atmos. Environ 42, 7476–7482.
Latos, M., Karageorgos, P., Kalogerakis, N., Lazaridis, M., 2011. Dispersion of odorous
gaseous compounds emitted from wastewater treatment plants. Water Air Soil Pollut
215, 667–677.
McIntyre, A., 2000. Application of dispersion modeling to odour assessment: a practical
tool or a complex trap. Water Sci. Technol 41 (6), 81–88.
Melo, A., Santos, J., Mavroidis, I., Junior, N., 2012. Modelling of odour dispersion around
a pig farm building complex using AERMOD and CALPUFF. Comparison with wind
tunnel results. Build. Environ 56, 8–20.
Meng, Z.-Y., Lin, W.L., Jiang, X.M., Yan, P., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y.M., Yu, X.L., Jia, X.F.,
2011. Characteristics of atmospheric ammonia over Beijing, China. Atmos. Chem.
Phys. 11, 3041–3070.
Nagata, Y., 2003. Measurement of odor threshold by triangle odor bag method. Odor
Meas. Rev 118–127.
Nicell, J., Henshaw, P., 2007. Odor impact assessments based on dose-response re-
lationships and spatial analyses of population response. Water Pract 1 (2), 1–14.
Ranzato, L., Barausse, A., Mantovani, A., Pittarello, A., Benzo, M., Palmeri, L., 2012. A
comparison of methods for the assessment of odor impacts on air quality: field in-
spection (VDI 3940) and the air dispersion model CALPUFF. Atmos. Environ 61,
570–579.
Reche, C., Viana, M., Pandolfi, M., Alastuey, A., Moreno, T., Amato, F., Ripoll, A., Querol,
X., 2012. Urban NH3 levels and sources in a Mediterranean environment. Atmos.
Environ 57, 153–164.
Ruth, J.H., 1986. Odor thresholds and irritation levels of several chemical substances: a
review. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J 47, A142–A151.
Sarr, J.H., Goïta, K., Desmarais, C., 2010. Analysis of air pollution from swine production
by using air dispersion model and GIS in Quebec. J. Environ. Qual 39 (6), 1975–1983.
US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 2004. AERMOD: Description of the Model
Formulation. EPA-454/R-03–004. US Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI), 1993. Determination of Odorants in Ambient Air by
Field Inspections. VDI-Kommission Reinhaltung der Luft (KRdL), Düsseldorf,
Germany.
Yu, Z., Guo, H., Xing, Y., Lague, C., 2009. Setting acceptable odour criteria using steady-
state and annual hourly weather data. Biosyst. Eng 103 (3), 329–337.