Pre-harvest Sugarcane Burning Research Articles

Reframing the wicked problem of pre-harvest burning: A case study of Thailand's sugarcane

Pre-harvest sugarcane burning persists in many countries though there are policies prohibiting the practice. As problems related to sugarcane harvesting are complex, a thorough understanding of the problems for policy formulation is required. The objective of this study was to reanalyze or reframe problems of sugarcane harvesting and pre-harvest sugarcane burning. Concepts of wicked problems, practical reasoning and policy reframing were applied. The study used a participatory modeling approach to illustrate the case of Thailand. Wickedness was shown by complexity and uncertainties of factors intertwining with values related to adoption of harvesting methods; green mechanical, green manual and burnt manual. As timeliness of harvest was the top priority, the burnt method was considered more efficient. It was easier, faster, cheaper and more suitable under unfavorable circumstances for the green methods. The policy to reduce burnt-harvested sugarcane was not so effective and also led to the undesired ‘green but unclean’ method. To frame harvesting problems based on emissions of fine particulates (PM2.5) from sugarcane burning was not a good choice. Incomplete problem sense-making and poor problem frame were indicated. Most farmers were unable to associate sugarcane burning with environmental problems of PM2.5 (and also global warming/climate change) and livelihood impacts. Nevertheless, a larger concern over climate variations was perceived by a majority of farmers. Farmers who adapted relied primarily on green harvesting and the use of residues as trash blankets. Through policy reframing, inefficient green harvesting was seen as a better frame. The new frame enabled farmers linking agricultural practices to sustainability of environment, productivity and livelihoods in the context of climate change. Using participatory modeling for reframing policy problems in general and wicked problems in particular was shown to be powerful and contributing to originality.

Urban PM2.5 concentrations in a small Colombian city and the impact associated with particle emissions generated by small-scale lime production

The stricter guidelines for fine particles PM2.5 recently published by the World Health Organization also motivate smaller cities to assess the exposure levels. In this study, PM2.5 was assessed in the municipality of Vijes, an important lime production center in the Cauca River Valley, Colombia. The main objective was to determine PM2.5 concentration levels in the urban background of the city and to estimate the contribution from industrial sources located west of the urbanized area. The assessment of PM2.5 concentrations in a city without fixed air quality monitors, meteorological stations, and information on emission sources, was designed to be expedient and possible to perform with a very restricted budget. Four low-cost optical sensors and one low-cost meteorological station were installed during two separate campaigns, each three to four months long. The PM2.5 measurements were analyzed with the support of meteorological data and dispersion modeling. Mean levels of PM2.5 in the urban background were found to be below the Colombian limit value of 25 µg m–3, in the range of 14 to 19 µg m–3, and with lower levels in the city center. The monitor located in the westernmost urban area, closest to the industrial plants, registered a high 24-h mean level close to the national limit value. The industrial contribution to long-term PM2.5 concentrations in the urban background of Vijes was estimated to be within a maximum of 6 µg m–3, i.e., a minor fraction of the monitored PM2.5 mean levels in the urban background. The dominating part of the PM2.5 concentrations could be attributed to other anthropogenic sources within or east of Vijes, as well as originating from the regional background concentration characterizing the Cauca River Valley to the east of Vijes, where pre-harvest sugar cane burning is common.

Socio Economic Impact Assessment of Pre-harvest Sugarcane Burning: Empirical Data Around Wonji/Shoa and Matahara Sugar Factories

In Ethiopia, the area of sugarcane is rising rapidly in response to increased sugar demand for human consumption. Despite considerable diversity in production systems and contexts, sugarcane is particularly high impact crop with significant positive and negative environmental and socio economic influences. Depending on a systematic review of scientific evidence combined with data that was collected through household interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation and field notes of the researcher as well as secondary data from various sources to complement the primary data, the present study assess the socio economic and environmental impacts resulting from pre-harvest burning of cane in Wonji/Shoa and Metahara sugarcane estates. The results of study Show that the pre-harvest burning of cane harvesting practices have negative impacts on local economy in terms of human health (both local communities and sugarcane workers) resulting from smokes and dust particles. Moreover, the pre-harvest burning sugarcane practices have negative environmental effects as demonstrated by clearing of vegetation cover, depletion of water resources and soil degradation. On the other hand, sugarcane trash resources can be used for animals' feed and alternative energy sources like sugarcane briquette charcoal. Our findings then will help to guide sugar industries and policy makers with new insights/strategies in understanding the situated environmental and social impacts associated with alternative sugarcane harvesting system by using green harvesting technologies (either manual or mechanical) and at the same time opening job opportunity to the local communities by utilization of trash as animals feed, energy source and compost. Finally, recommendations have been provided in order to address the socio-economic and environmental effects on local communities and sugarcane workers and air quality management. Keywords: Pre-harvest sugarcane burning, Wonji/Shoa, Metahara, impact DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-19-04 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Pre-harvest sugarcane burning: A statistical analysis of the environmental impacts of a regulatory change in the energy sector

We evaluate the efficiency of a regulatory change in sugarcane production (Law N°11.241/2002) that gradually banish the pre-harvest burning in the sugarcane production sector in the São Paulo state in Brazil, analyzing the occurrences of fires detected by satellite. To estimate the spatio-temporal dynamics of fire occurrence we use a structural representation in a log-Gaussian Cox process, decomposing the intensity function in components of trend, seasonality, cycles, covariates and spatial effects. The results have provided evidence that the trend component reflects the consistent reduction in fire occurrences, suggesting the efficiency of the mitigation actions implemented in the São Paulo state, and indicating a permanent advance in the environmental sustainability of this form of renewable energy production. • We analyze the efficiency of Law N°11.241/2002 in the sugarcane production sector. • The law gradually banishes the pre-harvest burning in sugarcane production. • Statistical analysis of permanent trend in number of fires in São Paulo, Brazil. • Results suggest the law's efficiency in control of the number of observed fires.

Particulate pollutants in the Brazilian city of São Paulo: 1-year investigation for the chemical composition and source apportionment

Abstract. São Paulo in Brazil has relatively relaxed regulations for ambient air pollution standards and often experiences high air pollution levels due to emissions of particulate pollutants from local sources and long-range transport of air masses impacted by biomass burning. In order to evaluate the sources of particulate air pollution and related health risks, a year-round sampling was done at the University of São Paulo campus (20 m a.g.l.), a green area near an important expressway. The sampling was performed for PM2. 5 ( ≤ 2. 5 µm) and PM10 ( ≤ 10 µm) in 2014 through intensive (everyday sampling in wintertime) and extensive campaigns (once a week for the whole year) with 24 h of sampling. This year was characterized by having lower average precipitation compared to meteorological data, and high-pollution episodes were observed all year round, with a significant increase in pollution level in the intensive campaign, which was performed during wintertime. Different chemical constituents, such as carbonaceous species, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and derivatives, water-soluble ions, and biomass burning tracers were identified in order to evaluate health risks and to apportion sources. The species such as PAHs, inorganic and organic ions, and monosaccharides were determined using chromatographic techniques and carbonaceous species using thermal-optical analysis. Trace elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The risks associated with particulate matter exposure based on PAH concentrations were also assessed, along with indexes such as the benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaPE) and lung cancer risk (LCR). High BaPE and LCR were observed in most of the samples, rising to critical values in the wintertime. Also, biomass burning tracers and PAHs were higher in this season, while secondarily formed ions presented low variation throughout the year. Meanwhile, vehicular tracer species were also higher in the intensive campaign, suggesting the influence of lower dispersion conditions in that period. Source apportionment was performed using positive matrix factorization (PMF), which indicated five different factors: road dust, industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, biomass burning and secondary processes. The results highlighted the contribution of vehicular emissions and the significant input from biomass combustion in wintertime, suggesting that most of the particulate matter is due to local sources, in addition to the influence of pre-harvest sugarcane burning.

Particulate matter produced during commercial sugarcane harvesting and processing: A respiratory health hazard?

Emissions from sugarcane burning are known to impact on the respiratory health of sugar estate workers and local populations. Despite this, there have been few studies on occupational and ambient exposures and risks from airborne particulate matter (PM) associated with field burning and ash re-suspension. From workplace monitoring on sugarcane estates in two different South American countries in 2010 and 2011, median concentrations of airborne PM10 (particulate matter nominally <10 μm in diameter) were found to be statistically much higher during pre-harvest sugarcane burning (1807 μg m−3) than during either sugarcane cutting after burning (∼123 μg m−3) or in the sugarcane processing factory (∼175 μg m−3). Median PM10 measurements in ambient scenarios, for example in the sugarcane fields before the burning or during 24 h measurements in neighboring villages (bordering the sugarcane plantation), were much lower, between 18 and 37 μg m−3. From the analysis of size-selective samples of airborne PM10, collected during sugarcane field burning, cutting and ambient periods, almost all (∼96 wt %) fell within the ‘respirable’ fraction (<4 μm aerodynamic diameter), with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 1.1 μm. Residual ash from field and bagasse burning, characterised using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with X-ray elemental analysis, was found to contain carbonaceous and silicate-dominated particles in the PM0.5 and PM0.5-2.5 size ranges and fibres from <10 to over 50 μm in length. Only a small proportion of the field burning ash (average 0.6 vol %) and bagasse ash (average 1.3 vol %) was in the respirable fraction. However, from grinding experiments, which simulate disaggregation as a result of disturbance during harvest or bagasse ash removal, the ash was fragile and easily broken down into thoracic particulate (<10 μm aerodynamic diameter) and, in some instances, created respirable-sized PM. From exposure calculations, the 8 h time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of PM10, during the different measurement scenarios, were found to be below occupational exposure limits (OELs; 5000 μg m−3 for respirable PM). Ambient PM10 exposure of residents surrounding the sugarcane plantations was found to be below the WHO air quality guideline (50 μg m−3 as a 24 h mean). The relative risk calculated for ‘all cause’ mortality from exposure of nearby residents to PM10 generated by sugarcane burning was found to be 3%. The concentrations of PM10 produced during the processing of sugarcane were high (up to 21.5 mg m−3), which is concerning given that re-suspended particles of ash in the fields and processing plant have been previously shown to contain potentially toxic cristobalite. PM produced during sugarcane burning, and during extended periods of local exposure to the smoke and re-suspended ash, therefore, should be considered as both a potential acute and chronic respiratory health hazard. This issue will become increasingly important with the forecasted rise in sugarcane production for biofuels.

Source apportionment of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Palm Beach County, Florida

ABSTRACTDue to concerns about adverse health effects associated with inhalation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 30 ambient air samples were obtained at an air quality monitoring station in Palm Beach County, Florida, from March 2013 to March 2014. The ambient PAH concentration measurements and fractional emission rates of known sources were incorporated into a chemical mass balance model, CMB8.2, developed by EPA, to apportion contributions of three major PAH sources including preharvest sugarcane burning, mobile vehicles, and wildland fires. Strong association between the number of benzene rings and source contribution was found, and mobile vehicles were identified to be the prevailing source (contribution ≥56%) for the observed PAHs concentration with lower molecular weights (four or fewer benzene rings) throughout the year. Preharvest sugarcane burning was the primary contributing source for PAHs with relatively higher molecular weights (five or more benzene rings) during the sugarcane burning season (from October to May of the next year). Source contribution of wildland fires varied among PAH compounds but was consistently lower than for sugarcane burning during the sugarcane harvest season. Determining the major sources responsible for ground-level PAHs serves as a tool to improving management strategies for PAH emitting sources and a step toward better protection of the health of residents in terms of exposure to PAHs. The results obtain insight into temporal dominance of PAH polluting sources for those residential areas located near sugarcane burning facilities and have implications beyond Palm Beach County, in areas with high concerns of PAHs and their linked sources.Implications: Source apportionment of atmospheric polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Palm Beach County, Florida, meant to estimate contributions of major sources in PAH concentrations measured at Belle Glade City of Palm Beach County. Number of benzene rings was found to be the key parameter in determining the source with the prevailing contribution. Mobile vehicle sources showed a higher contribution for species with four or fewer benzene rings, whereas sugarcane burning contributed more for species with five or more benzene rings. Results from this study encourage more control for sugarcane burns and help to better manage authorization of the sugarcane burning incidents and more restrictive transportation plans to limit PAH emissions from mobile vehicles.

Pre-harvest cane burning and health: the association between school absences and burning sugarcane fields.

The objective of this study was to investigate an association between pre-harvest sugarcane burning and respiratory diseases in children under five years of age. The following data were collected in five schools in the city of Araraquara, SP, Southeastern Brazil, between March and June 2009: daily records of absences and the reasons stated for these absences, total concentration of suspended particulate matter (µg/m3), and air humidity. The relationship between the percentage of school absences due to respiratory problems and the concentration of particulate matter in March and from April to June presented a distinct behavior: absences increased alongside the increase in particulate matter concentration. The use of school absences as indicators of this relationship is an innovative approach.

Pre-harvest sugarcane burning emission inventories based on remote sensing data in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

The state of São Paulo is the largest sugarcane producer in Brazil, with a cultivated area of about 5.4 Mha in 2011. Approximately 2 Mha were harvested annually from 2006 to 2011 with the pre-harvest straw burning practice, which emits trace gases and particulate material to the atmosphere. The development of emission inventories for sugarcane straw burning is crucial in order to assess its environmental impacts. This study aimed to estimate annual emissions associated with the pre-harvest sugarcane burning practice in the state of São Paulo based on remote sensing maps and emission and combustion factors for sugarcane straw burning. Average estimated emissions (Gg/year) were 1130 ± 152 for CO, 26 ± 4 for NOx, 16 ± 2 for CH4, 45 ± 6 for PM2.5, 120 ± 16 for PM10 and 154 ± 21 for NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons). An intercomparison among annual emissions from this study and annual emissions from four other different approaches indicated that the estimates obtained by satellite fire detection or low spatial resolution approaches tend to underestimate sugarcane burned area, due to unique characteristics of this type of biomass fire. Overall, our results also indicated that government actions to reduce sugarcane straw burning emissions are becoming effective.

Airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a medium-sized city affected by preharvest sugarcane burning and inhalation risk for human health

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air were measured in a municipality where sugarcane plantations are extensive, at three sites, one in the city center and two in rural localities. Twenty-four-hour sampling was done using PS1 PUF samplers from Andersen Instruments Inc., at least 1 day per month per site, from June 2009 to October 2009. The chemical analyses were performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the 16 most toxic PAHs. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILTR) by inhalation was determined by the Monte Carlo method for the urban population using Crystal Ball software. The total concentration of the 16 PAHs at all sites varied from 6.2 to 65.7 ng m−3, with an average of 25.9 ± 18.2 ng m−3. The average concentrations per site were 14.1 ± 13.0 ng m−3 at rural site B, 20.7 ± 11.5 ng m−3 at rural site A, and 36.1 ± 22.7 ng m−3 at the central site. The cancer risk for infants, children, and adults was approximately 14%, 25%, and 61% of the total IRLT, respectively. The mean (95% upper probability limit [95% UPL]) values were 1.2 × 10−7 (2.2 × 10−7) for infants, 2.2 × 10−7 (4.1 × 10−7) for children, and 8.9 × 10−7 (1.1 × 10−6) for adults. Although the three most abundant PAHs found were phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene, the three most important contributions to the incremental risk of cancer came from benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and naphthalene. Compared with the risks in big cities such as São Paulo, this would be low, but not negligible. Analysis of ratios of PAHs according to the literature showed that vehicle exhaust and biomass burning, including sugarcane burning, seem to be the most important contributors to PAH concentrations in the central area of Araraquara City.Implications:The growth of biofuel use worldwide, especially ethanol, together with preharvesting burning practice, is cause of concern with regard to possible health effects, due to increased air pollution levels in cities in regions where sugarcane plantation and processing are intensive. This paper shows that the risk of cancer from PAH inhalation in an urban area surrounded by sugarcane agriculture was of the same order of magnitude as the tolerable risk value of 10−6. As other classical and hazardous pollutants are also present, care should be taken to keep pollution as low as possible to protect human health.

Soil chiseling and fertilizer location in sugarcane ratoon cultivation

While the pre-harvest sugarcane burning is a disused practice, green harvest requires changes concerning ratoon cultivation due to the presence of a thick layer of straw. The experiment, conducted in a mechanical green harvesting area cultivated with sugarcane, consisted of two stages: in the first stage, the mechanical straw cutting performance of flat disks with different geometry edges was evaluated, considering two types of disks and 10 replications in a completely randomized design; in the second stage, the effect of soil chiseling on both sides of planting lines, using shanks with straw cutting flat disks, was assessed, as well as fertilizer deposition form. The experimental design in the second stage was completely randomized, with seven treatments and five replications. Treatments consisted of a combination of two straw cutting disks (smooth or toothed edge), chiseling presence or absence, and fertilizer deposition forms (broadcast, on the planting line, and incorporated into chiseling furrows). The toothed disk differed from the smooth one, presenting lower values of horizontal and vertical forces, and torque. The agroindustrial variables pol (%), brix (%), fiber (%), and ATR (kg Mg-1) were not influenced by the fertilizer deposition form and soil chiseling. However, the localized fertilizer deposition increased crop yield when compared with broadcast fertilization.

Trends in global warming and human health impacts related to Brazilian sugarcane ethanol production considering black carbon emissions

Sugarcane produced in Brazil has several environmental advantages. However, burning residues, which leads to GHG and black carbon (BC) emissions, has been used to facilitate manual harvest. BC emissions have a net warming effect and cause health problems. Mechanized harvest without burning is gradually replacing manually harvested burned sugarcane. Global warming potential (GWP) and human health indicators of sugarcane ethanol production in Brazil, in the pre-mechanization (100% burned), current (∼50% burned) and future (100% without burning) scenarios, were calculated. In the past, the GWP of ethanol production was 1.1kgCO2eqL−1 and BC emissions were 32.6kgCO2eqL−1. The human health impact in disability adjusted life years (DALY) was 3.16E−05DALYL−1 ethanol. The current ethanol production process has a GWP 46% smaller, while BC emissions are seven times smaller than before mechanization started. The human health impact is currently 7.72E−06DALYL−1. In the future, with complete mechanization and the integration of first and second generation ethanol, the expected GWP emissions will be 70% smaller, and BC emissions will be 216 times smaller than when all sugarcane was harvested with burning. These results show that ethanol production in Brazil is improving in terms of global warming and human health aspects. Other upstream aspects of ethanol production such as direct and indirect land use change, and downstream impacts such as the emissions of acetaldehydes were not considered in this study, which focused on a major technological shift in residue management in the agricultural phase of sugarcane ethanol production. A broader assessment of the sustainability of ethanol must account for those issues, as well as economic and social aspects. Sugarcane-derived ethanol produced in Brazil has been considered one of the most sustainable biofuels options, but it is essential to identify and promote practices and policies that further improve its production, such as the phase out of pre-harvest sugarcane burning and the increase in ethanol yield per unit of area.

Pre-Harvest Sugarcane Burning: Determination of Emission Factors through Laboratory Measurements

Sugarcane is an important crop for the Brazilian economy and roughly 50% of its production is used to produce ethanol. However, the common practice of pre-harvest burning of sugarcane straw emits particulate material, greenhouse gases, and tropospheric ozone precursors to the atmosphere. Even with policies to eliminate the practice of pre-harvest sugarcane burning in the near future, there is still significant environmental damage. Thus, the generation of reliable inventories of emissions due to this activity is crucial in order to assess their environmental impact. Nevertheless, the official Brazilian emissions inventory does not presently include the contribution from pre-harvest sugarcane burning. In this context, this work aims to determine sugarcane straw burning emission factors for some trace gases and particulate material smaller than 2.5 μm in the laboratory. Excess mixing ratios for CO2, CO, NOX, UHC (unburned hydrocarbons), and PM2.5 were measured, allowing the estimation of their respective emission factors. Average estimated values for emission factors (g kg−1 of burned dry biomass) were 1,303 ± 218 for CO2, 65 ± 14 for CO, 1.5 ± 0.4 for NOX, 16 ± 6 for UHC, and 2.6 ± 1.6 for PM2.5. These emission factors can be used to generate more realistic emission inventories and therefore improve the results of air quality models.