DYNAMICS OF CO2 EMISSION AND DISPERSION FROM TWO SUGARCANE MILLS IN THE GUAYAS BASIN

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a C4 plant widely cultivated for the production of sugar, energy, and other derivatives. Sugarcane fixes a certain amount of carbon in the biomass but emits variable amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, depending on the technologies used in both field and industrial processes. This study quantified and described the spatial and temporal dispersion of CO2 emissions generated during the sugarcane harvest period by the San Carlos and Valdez sugarcane mills, in Guayas, Ecuador. Measurements of CO2 were carried out using a 3M's portable gas analyzer model Monitor 3M-EVM-7, which provides digital readings without requiring any additional procedure. Samples were taken every two weeks during the milling period (June to December). Sampling was carried out at distances of approximately 280, 500, 1000, and 3000 m from the central chimney of the factories. Locations were eventually georeferenced to allow for possible associations to infer spatial and temporal patterns and distributions. The effects associated with dispersion patterns of greenhouse gases released from the industrial chimneys as well as wind direction and speed were considered. The results show that CO2 emitted by the industrial sugarcane process did not impact surface-level measurements due to natural dispersion, although it decreased with distance. There was a high, negative, and significant correlation between CO2 concentrations and temperature; and a high, direct, and significant correlation with dew point. CO2 concentrations were inversely correlated with distances from the factory chimneys.