Mapping atmospheric concentration of gas and particulate matter in livestock farms using drone-based measurements

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) represent the new frontier for gas monitoring in the atmospheric boundary layer in multiple sectors. An interesting perspective is the use of in-flight measurements to monitor pollutants emissions from livestock farms, however this application is still pioneering. A system for measuring greenhouse gases and particulate matter concentrations at ground and in-flight was developed, to provide a tool to rapidly detect and visualize emission hotspots around housing facilities, manure and feed storages. The system is based on small-sized prototypal multi-sensor system (MS). MS can be used both for ground monitoring and for installation on multirotor drones. The units are equipped with sensors for measuring air pollutants and environmental conditions. Georeferenced data collected by the MS are available in real time and can be downloaded or visualized on a graphic interface. A feasibility test was conducted on a dairy farm located in Tuscany, Central Italy, to assess the correct functioning of the system and to explore the possibilities of mapping gas and particulate concentrations.