Impact of Small Holder Dairy Farm on the Air Quality in Gunungpati District, Semarang Municipality

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the impact of small holder dairy farm on the air quality in the farm and surrounding area. The study was conducted in three farmer groups in the District of Gunungpati, including the farmer groups in the villages of Nangkasawit, Plalangan and Sumurejo. Samplings of air quality were conducted in four points (locations), i.e., inside the barn, 100 m, 200 m and 300 m from the area of farm. Parameters observed were emission of NH3 CO2, H2S and CH4. Results showed that the levels of NH3 in the barn, 100 m, 200 m and 300 m from the farm area in Nangkasawit village were 0.211, 0.107, 0.104 and 0,035 ppm, respectively. The levels of NH3 in Plalangan village were 0.289, 0.231, 0.13 and 0.108 ppm, respectively, and in Sumurejo village were 0.109, 0.110, 0.082 and 0.046 ppm, respectively. The levels of H2S in Nangkasawit, Plalangan and Sumurejo villages at the entire points of observations were <0,002 ppm, with the acceptable standard level of H2S was 0.02 ppm. In four locations of observations, the levels of CH4 in Nangkasawit village were 809, 603, 599 and 521 ppb, in Plalangan village 999, 720, 645 and 582 ppb and in Sumurejo village 932, 824, 526 and 521 ppb. The levels of CO2 in Nangkasawit village were 26.55, 28.35, 28.44 and 30.05 ppm, in Plalangan village 24.65, 25.10, 23.44, 21.05 ppm and in Sumurejo village 28.50, 27.35, 30.68, 31.50 ppm, with the standard level of CO2 should be 30.000 ppm. In conclusion, the air quality was better (lower contamination) with the farther distance of locations from the barn.