Charcoal anatomy and NIR spectra of Spirostachys africana, Terminalia sp. and Colophospermum mopane in different carbonization process

Abstract

In Mozambique, charcoal processes can result in several disturbances in natural forests. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of four carbonization methodologies on the anatomical characteristics and near infrared spectra of Spirostachys africana, Terminalia sp. and Colophospermum mopane, to contribute with information for an identification database for charcoal control. The carbonization was done in an electric muffle furnace with different final temperature (400/450 °C) and total time (40 min/2 h, 4 h, 6 h). The quantitative changes in anatomy of charcoal samples was not directly related to carbonization programs with respect to particular features of each species. Species are best distinguished for the NIR spectra in the region from 4000 to 5000 cm−1. In the analysis by species, charcoal produced at 450 °C—4 h were more distinct in comparison to other programs that resulted in mixed samples. Final temperature influenced more than total process time in species distinction and the use of NIR is reinforced as a potential tool to discriminate species submitted to different carbonization processes. These traits can be applied in species discrimination based on databases of wood anatomical descriptions and charcoal NIR spectra.