Emissions of ammonia and methane from an anaerobic lagoon at a swine animal feeding operation were evaluated
five times over a period of two years. The plane-integrated (PI) open-path Fourier transform infrared spectrometry
(OP-FTIR) methodology was used to transect the plume at five locations. The path-integrated concentration data, along with
wind speed and direction were analyzed using an emission flux computational method known as Vertical Radial Plume
Mapping (VRPM). The VRPM algorithm utilizes a smooth basis function minimization routine of a bivariate Gaussian
function to generate species flux rate information. The PI OP-FTIR methodology measured emission flux rates from a swine
waste lagoon before and after a permeable cover installation. The PI OP-FTIR and VRPM were demonstrated to be an
effective method for the measurement of fugitive anaerobic waste lagoon emission flux rate. The flux rates measured before
and after the installation of the permeable cover indicated a reduction in ammonia emissions and no detectable trends for
methane emissions.