Rice Straw Burning Research Articles

Main Emission Sources and Health Risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Three Typical Sites in Hanoi

Particulate matter-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs (NPAHs) were first systematically studied in downtown (XT), suburban (GL) and rural (DA) sites in winter and summer in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 2019 to 2022. The mean concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs ranged from 0.76 ng m−3 to 50.2 ng m−3 and 6.07 pg m−3 to 1.95 ng m−3, respectively. The concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs in winter were higher than in summer, except for NPAHs in XT. We found the benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)/benzo[ghi]perylene (BgPe) ratio could effectively identify biomass burning in this study, in which a higher [BaP]/[BgPe] value indicates a greater effect of biomass burning on PAHs and NPAHs. The results indicated that atmospheric PAHs and NPAHs were mainly affected by motor vehicles (especially the unique motorcycles in Southeast Asia) in the summer in Hanoi. In winter, all sites were affected by the burning of rice straw to varying degrees, especially DA. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) in Hanoi was first determined through ingestion, inhalation and dermal absorption. The results showed that residents in Hanoi faced high health risks, while females experienced higher health risks than males. The ingestion and dermal pathways indicated higher exposure risks than the usually considered inhalation pathway.

Exploring rice straw as substrate for hydrogen production: Critical challenges and opportunities

Due to the world’s constant demand for rice as a main food crop, the quantity of rice straw produced pressurizing the waste management strategies of the countries. Rice straw is a big waste management issue in rice-producing nations such as China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, etc. Burning rice straw on the field is the most preferred option for farmers to get rid of the rice straw which creates an array of environmental issues. In addition to jeopardizing the environment by emitting a significant quantity of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the inappropriate utilization of rice straw and open crop burning in the field also tend to lose farmers a very profitable by-product. Benefits can be harnessed by utilizing the abundant rice straw as a raw material for valuable product generation. This work reviews the significant aspects of the use of rice straw as an imperative source of clean energy. The paper emphasizes some important background knowledge, such as the chemical, and physical properties that determine the caliber of rice straw. The different pretreatment methods that can make rice straw equipped for hydrogen production have also been discussed. The latest thermochemical and biochemical approaches for converting rice straw into hydrogen are vividly presented. Further studying the viability of producing hydrogen from rice straw in the context of modern agriculture becomes more crucial. The present review also discussed the policies and current situation of hydrogen production globally and provides a forecast on the state of hydrogen as a clean fuel for a sustainable future.

Can adoption of climate resilient management practices achieve carbon neutrality in traditional green revolution states of Punjab and Haryana?

Decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing soil carbon (C) sequestration in cropland are necessary to achieve carbon neutrality at national scale. The major objective of this study is to quantify the GHG mitigation potential of adopted climate resilient (CR) practices in CR villages using Ex-ACT tool developed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Intensively cultivated area of Punjab and Haryana was selected for carrying out this study. In both the states, villages were selected by considering the climate for past 30 years. In the selected villages, a set of CR practices were implemented in annuals, perennials, irrigated rice, fertilizer use, land use change and livestock and quantified the GHG mitigation potential in these villages for next twenty years. The tool predicted that the CR practices adopted were successful in enhancing the overall sink (carbon balance) in all the study villages. The villages of Punjab had recorded higher mitigation potential as compared to the villages of Haryana. The overall sink potential in these villages ranged from −354 to −38309 Mg CO2-eq. The change in sink potential varied from 3.16 to 112% with lowest in Radauri and highest in Badhauchhi kalan village. The sink potential got doubled in Badhauchhi kalan village due to stopping rice straw burning and increase in area under perennials by 25%. The source potential varied from 6.33 to −7.44% across the study villages. Even with the implementation of NICRA, there was increase in source by 5.58 and 6.33% in Killi Nihal Singh Wala and Radauri due to irrigated rice, land use change and livestock. Majorly, rice straw burning was seen in most of the study villages, yet, with proper residue management and adoption of CR practices (mainly intermittent flooding) in rice cultivation resulted in emissions reduction up to 5–26% with enhanced productivity up to 15–18%, which can be considered for scaling up. Fertilizer management reduced the emissions by average of 13% across the study villages. Farm gate emission intensity per ton of milk and rice recorded highest emission intensity compared to annuals and perennials suggesting strict implementation of CR practices in rice cultivation and livestock sector. Implementation and scaling up of CR practices could potentially reduce the emissions and make the village C negative in intensive rice-wheat production system.

Fixed source monitoring system for marker emission during biomass combustion

Emissions from biomass combustion depend on biomass characteristics, operating parameters and concern different types of compounds such as: CO2, CO, SO2, NOX, inorganic and organic micro-pollutants, polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated byphenils, and particulate matter. The aim of this work is the development of a fixed source sampling method for total levoglucosan emission, commonly considered, along with its isomer mannosan and galactosan as an atmosphere tracers for Total Suspended Particles generated by biomass burning. The semi-volatile behavior of such compound was taken into account and its sampling occurred by depositing the main fraction on a filter and the volatile fraction sampled by impingers filled with specific solution. Subsequently, the emission factors of levoglucosan in Total Suspended Particles from burning of rice and wheat straw varying from 53.7 to 65.8 mg/kgfuel were evaluated. The proposed method uses an isokinetic probe with quartz filter for particle fraction sampling and a system of impingers for the volatile fraction. The important result obtained from the experiment showed that a percentage between 30% and 50% of levoglucosan exceeds the filter and was sampled in the impingers. This result suggests the importance to collect both fractions of levoglucosan emission in order to not neglect the volatile fraction which represents an important component and must not be omitted.

Effect of Rice Straw and Stubble Burning on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Bacterial Communities in Central Thailand.

Rice straw and stubble burning is widely practiced to clear fields for new crops. However, questions remain about the effects of fire on soil bacterial communities and soil properties in paddy fields. Here, five adjacent farmed fields were investigated in central Thailand to assess changes in soil bacterial communities and soil properties after burning. Samples of soil prior to burning, immediately after burning, and 1 year after burning were obtained from depths of 0 to 5 cm. The results showed that the pH, electrical conductivity, NH4-N, total nitrogen, and soil nutrients (available P, K, Ca, and Mg) significantly increased immediately after burning due to an increased ash content in the soil, whereas NO3-N decreased significantly. However, these values returned to the initial values. Chloroflexi were the dominant bacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. At 1 year after burning, Chloroflexi abundance decreased remarkably, whereas Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Gemmatimonadetes abundances significantly increased. Bacillus, HSB OF53-F07, Conexibacter, and Acidothermus abundances increased immediately after burning, but were lower 1 year after burning. These bacteria may be highly resistant to heat, but grow slowly. Anaeromyxobacter and Candidatus Udaeobacter dominated 1 year after burning, most likely because of their rapid growth and the fact that they occupy areas with increased soil nutrient levels after fires. Amidase, cellulase, and chitinase levels increased with increased organic matter levels, whereas β-glucosidase, chitinase, and urease levels positively correlated with the soil total nitrogen level. Although clay and soil moisture strongly correlated with the soil bacterial community's composition, negative correlations were found for β-glucosidase, chitinase, and urease. In this study, rice straw and standing stubble were burnt under high soil moisture and within a very short time, suggesting that the fire was not severe enough to raise the soil temperature and change the soil microbial community immediately after burning. However, changes in soil properties due to ash significantly increased the diversity indices, which was noticeable 1 year after burning.

Rice straw derived cellulose nanofibers modified with L-histidine for ultra-trace fluorometric assay of Cr(VI) and Hg(II) in aqueous medium

Through this study, an effort has been made to eliminate the problems of rice straw burning and pollution due to heavy metals by utilizing cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) derived from rice straw to develop effective fluorescent sensors for detection of chromium Cr(VI) and mercury Hg(II), concurrently. CNFs were modified using L-histidine (CHIS) to yield cellulosic fluorophore, not reported hitherto. Characterization using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), indicated partial impairment of crystalline structure of cellulose with conversion to CHIS, however the sensor was thermally more stable as 40% mass residue remained even after 700 °C. Fluorescence response exhibited substantial quenching with Cr(VI) and Hg(II) ions, with detection limits of 2.236 nM and 3.97 nM, respectively. The XPS studies established strong interactions of CHIS with Hg(II) ions via imine groups and Cr(VI) ions with imine as well as amine group on CHIS resulting in substantial quenching. Further, when excited at different wavelength under fluorescence microscope, CHIS indicated suppression of fluorescence effect with adsorption of heavy metal ions. The sensor was highly selective, stable with time and pH with excellent usability up to 4 cycles. Thus, CHIS present a facile and robust platform for simultaneous detection and real time monitoring of Hg(II) and Cr(VI) metal ions.

Evaluation of combustion characteristics in biomass residues open burning

Open burning of biomass residues is known as major source of atmospheric pollutant in agricultural areas. Biomass open burning released several toxic compounds that endanger not only human health but also enhance global warming effect. This paper aims to evaluate the characteristics of combustion in bagasse, rice straw and leaf litter open burning. Experimental furnace is designed to mimic the open burning condition with controlled observation system of combustion parameters i.e., temperature, gas composition, and particulate concentration. It is obtained that bagasse produced the lowest emission factor compared to other biomasses combustion i.e., 35 g CO/kg biomass and 0.2 g PM/kg biomass. High temperature level is obtained to be the main factor of low emission emitted in open burning.

Comparison of GHG emissions from open field burning and anaerobic digestion of rice straw

ABSTRACT Rice straw (RS) has been burned in open fields in many countries, which is a growing environmental concern. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of RS is one of the sustainable alternatives to open burning of RS for converting the biomass into methane, carbon dioxide, and digestate for use as agricultural manure. The present study evaluates the RS generation, use patterns, and greenhouse gas emissions from open field burning and the AD of RS. Results indicate the AD of RS offers greater environmental benefits than that by RS open field burning. As a result of the open burning of RS in India emitted 592032.52 kg of CO2 equivalents/kg per year, whereas AD of RS contributes 122.86 kg of CO2 equivalents/kg per year. If RS were burned in an open field, its Global Warming Potential would be 493,873 times greater than that of AD. By minimizing GHG emissions and creating sustainable energy from waste, sustainable development, and circular economies are achieved.

Managing Movement of Returning Rice Straw into Soil (RRIS): A Solution to Land Degradation

Concern on rice production in Indonesia is escalating since the production of rice tends to be levelling off for more than a decade. Soil degradation in lowland is among the main challenges. Soil encounters continuous decreasing organic matter and organic carbon content because the biomass from the rice plants was not returned to the land sufficiently. Most of the biomasses went out of the land or were burned by rice producers since there was not enough time to decompose the biomass before returning into the soil of lowland or it need additional cost to do so. Most farmers preferred to return the rice straw after burning, but it will not improve the condition. Otherwise, burning of rice straw caused air pollution since it released at least three kg particulate matter consisting of CO, SO2, CO2, and ash. Using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) this paper is trying to find the important factors with sequential solution. The result shows that encouraging rice producers to return rice straw into soil (RRIS) should start with Provision of Immediate Decomposing Technology and assistance program and Credit and Assistance Program.

Картографирование ландшафтных пожаров в дельте реки Меконг

The article presents the results of the analysis of the spatial-temporal dynamics of wildfires within the boundaries of the economic region “Mekong Delta” in the south-west of the Republic of Vietnam for the period from 2001-2020. according to various information products of satellite monitoring based on data MODIS spatial resolution 250-1000 m and Landsat resolution 30 m. Mapping of burnt-out areas was performed and the recurrence of fires was determined for 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta. In the future, this will allow us to determine the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the burnability of the territory, as well as to study the consequences of pyrogenic effects on landscapes. According to various information products of the burnt areas, the total area of the hares ranged from 1 to 8.7 million hectares or from 15 to 37 % of the entire territory. Data on the recurrence of fires during the study period were obtained, which allows us to find out in which areas fires occur most often. The maximum frequency of fires is typical for Anjiang Province, located in the north of the region. The ability to harvest rice 2-3 times a year creates prerequisites for burning rice straw in the fields. This is probably why the increased frequency of fires and the burning of the most agricultural-developed provinces of the Mekong Delta are associated with this. This indicates the high importance of fires as an exogenous factor for the ecosystems of the lower Mekong in the conditions of climate change. In the future, an analysis of the dynamics of the territory’s burnability under the influence of climatic and hydrological factors may be carried out, considering the peculiarities of agricultural use of the Mekong Delta territory.

Nudges and compensation: Evaluating experimental evidence on controlling rice straw burning

The customary occurrence of crop residue burning substantially increases air pollution. We examine the effects of nudges and cash compensation in curbing this practice using a field experiment in the rice-growing region of northern India. Information treatments include positively-framed and negatively-framed social norms and environmental awareness nudges. We identify the effects of information with and without cash transfers for manifestly avoiding residue burning. We show that cash compensation and two types of nudges – positively-framed social norms and environmental awareness – significantly reduce residue burning. We observe a stronger impact from cash compensation than nudges, and that these effects complement each other. Policymakers should take advantage of the complementarity between these interventions, particularly when low-cost informational nudges can potentially reduce environmentally harmful practices. This paper adds to the narrative on information framing effects in field experiments and discusses how nudges and extrinsic incentives could augment each other in public good contributions.

Production and characterization of sustainable vermimanure derived from poultry litter and rice straw using tiger worm Eisenia fetida

Poultry litter (PL) and rice straw (RS), commonly available waste materials, pose severe threat to environment, if not properly managed. As viable waste treatment method, vermi-transformation of PL into enriched vermimanure was done using RS and cow dung (CD) with different feedstocks (FS) combinations like FS0(CD without earthworm), FS1(CD), FS2(1CD: 1RS), FS3(1CD: 1PL) and FS4(1CD: 1RS: 1PL) for 110 days. Increased growth performance (P < 0.05) of Eisenia fetida, macronutrient levels, and a consistently lower carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) emphasize the importance of RS and PL in the vermimanuring process. Several analytical techniques have revealed the presence of functional groups, nitrate (NO3–), phosphate (PO43−), and potassium ions (K+) as well as the high porosity of the matured vermimanures. Therefore, using earthworms, the feedstock FS4(1CD: 1RS: 1PL) could be successfully biotransformed into sustainable manure lowering the usage of chemical fertilizers and rice straw burning.

Implementation of LEISA Concept through composting rice straw waste in Subak Telun Ayah, Tegallalang

In general, many farmers tend to still regard rice straw as waste material that is burned. Burning rice straw is a bad habit because it removes organic matter that contains nutrients needed by plants. As a result, farmers require higher fertilizer costs in the next planting period which is contrary to the concept of Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). Community Service in Subak Telun Ayah aims to increase farmers' knowledge related to the use of compost in rice cultivation and as an effort to reduce inorganic fertilization. The methods used are surveys, interviews, discussions, counseling, and plot demonstrations. Farmers claim to burn rice straw because it is based on the knowledge passed down from generation to generation and it is believed that straw waste is quickly returned to the soil. Farmers do not do composting because they do not know how to compost rice straw. Based on farmers' problems, assistance is carried out by providing training and making demonstration plots. After the mentoring program, farmers are willing to do composting, moreover, it takes 30-35 days and is repeated every 7 days. Farmers' interest in composting is also triggered by the difficulty of obtaining inorganic fertilizers and the rising price of inorganic fertilizers.

Changes in Wheat Rhizosphere Carbon Pools in Response to Nitrogen and Straw Incorporation

Large-scale burning of rice straw causes air pollution and deterioration of soil health, which challenges the sustainability of the rice–wheat system (RWS) in north-western India. In a field experiment on sandy loam (Typic Ustochrept) soil at Punjab Agricultural University, India, with split plot design, effects of four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha−1) in main plots and four levels of rice straw (RS) incorporation (0, 5, 7.5, and 10 Mg ha−1) in wheat in sub-plots were studied after 7 years on carbon (C) pools at maximum tillering (MT) and flowering (FL) stages of wheat and crop yields. Rice straw (RS) incorporation at 10 Mg ha−1 with N application at 120 kg N ha−1 in wheat not only increased labile C pools significantly especially at MT but also increased the wheat yield compared with no straw incorporation. Principal component analysis suggests that total polysaccharide carbon, basal soil respiration, and pH can be used as sensitive parameters for assessing soil quality in RWS.

Impact of In-situ Paddy Straw Burning on Soil Enzyme Activity, Soil Microbial Population and Green House Gas Emissions in Sandy Loam Soil

The rice - maize cropping system is one of the predominant cropping systems in Telangana state, which also produces large quantities of residues, whose disposal is a major problem. A large quantity of paddy straw is burnt on the farm to clear the field for succeeding crop. On the farm, a significant amount of paddy straw is burned to prepare the land for a subsequent crop. Burning crop residue damages the air and results in the loss of a significant amount of biomass plant nutrients and the entire amount of carbon. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of paddy straw burning on soil biological properties (enzyme activities, microbial population) and to know the amount of green house gas (GHG) emissions released due to burning of residue, under two tillage systems viz., no tillage and conventional tillage. Results indicated that there was a significant decrease in soil microbial population, dehydrogenase activity (41.52% in NT and 40.07% in CT), acid and alkaline phosphatase activity and urease activity in soil due to residue burning. It also indicated that there was a rise in CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions 48 hours after residue burning. It can be concluded that crop residue burning leads to decrease in the enzyme activities and soil microbial population. It also leads to rise in green house gas emissions. The impact of rice straw burning on different microbial genera has to be further studied by researchers.

Long-Term Impact of Different Straw Management Practices on Carbon Fractions and Biological Properties under Rice–Wheat System

Intensive agriculture has led to generation of a vast volume of agri-residue, prompting a reliance on conservation tillage techniques for prudent management. However, to ascertain the long-term impacts of these practices, the interrelation with the carbon fractions and the biological properties of the soil must be identified. Therefore, in a long-term experiment, five different treatments involving the incorporation of paddy straw as mulch or through disc harrow and farmer practice, including the partial burning of rice straw, were evaluated. After the harvesting of the wheat crop, soil samples collected from 3 different depths (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) were analyzed for various attributes critical to assessing soil health. Crop residue retention in both seasons (T4) improved carbon fractions, soil microflora viable cell counts and enzyme activities. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive interaction among the organic carbon, bacterial counts and soil enzyme activities. Thus, a positive impact of conservation tillage techniques involving a minimal disturbance was recorded as improvement in the soil properties, build-up of organic carbon, and wheat productivity in rice–wheat cropping systems.

Emission Factors and Inventories of Carbonaceous Aerosols from Residential Biomass Burning in Guizhou Province, China

Biomass combustion results in the emission of substantial amounts of carbonaceous aerosols. Here, we report the emission characteristics of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) from biofuel combustion according to field measurements in rural households in Guizhou Province, China. The average emission factor of OC was 0.57 ± 0.16 g kg−1 for firewood burning, which was lower than that for crop straw burning. The average emission factor of EC was 1.1 ± 0.63 g kg−1 for firewood burning, which was higher than most crop straw burning, including corn (0.68 ± 0.29 g kg−1), rice (0.48 ± 0.40 g kg−1), and soybean (0.17 ± 0.21 g kg−1). The average OC/EC ratios from crop straw burning were high, 14.2 for rice straw burning, 11.7 for soybean straw burning, 5.1 for corn straw burning, and 2.8 for pepper straw burning. The average OC/EC ratio of firewood was the lowest at 0.54. In 2019, the estimated emissions of OC and EC from residential biomass fuel combustion in Guizhou Province were 3.6 and 5.6 Gg, respectively. Firewood burning was the primary contributor to total residential biofuel OC (≈81%) and EC (≈97%) emissions. High-emission areas included Tongren, Qiandongnan, and Qiannan.

Emissions Factors of Air Pollutants from Rice Straw Burning-hood Experiments

Abstract: The burning of rice straw produces a significant amount of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous air pollutants on a regional and global scale. In this study, the hood experiments were conducted to investigate the emission of air pollutants from rice straw burning (RSB). Samples of PM were collected isokinetically following the U.S. EPA methods 1, 1A, and 5. Gaseous pollutants were directly measured using a flue gas analyzer (Testo 350 XL). Emission factors (EF) (g.kg-1) determined for PM, CO2, CO, and SO2 were 17 ± 3.8, 1399 ± 228, 68 ± 22, and 1.5 ± 0.4, respectively meanwhile NO and NO2 were not detected in the flue gas. It was observed that flaming is the main phase in the process of RSB. The total emission from rice straw burning of 13 provinces in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam in 2020 was estimated using the EF obtained from the hood experiments. The result shows that Kien Giang, An Giang, and Dong Thap were the high emission group in the Mekong River Delta, contributing 19%, 17%, and 14% to total emissions. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for further studies to determine EF from rice straw open burning in the fields and find sustainable measures to control this activity.&#x0D;

Effect of photooxidation on size distribution, light absorption, and molecular compositions of smoke particles from rice straw combustion

Organic aerosol (OA) emitted from biomass burning (BB) impacts air quality and global radiation balance. However, the comprehensive characterization of OA remains poorly understood because of the complex evolutionary behavior of OA in atmospheric processes. In this work, smoke particles were generated from rice straw combustion. The effect of OH radicals photooxidation on size distribution, light absorption, and molecular compositions of smoke particles was systematically investigated. The results showed that the median diameters of smoke particles increased by a factor of approximately 1.2 after photooxidation. In the particle compositions, although both non-polar fractions (n-hexane-soluble organic carbon, HSOC) and polar fractions (water-soluble organic carbon, WSOC) underwent photobleaching after aging, the photobleaching properties of HSOC (1.87–2.19) was always higher than that of WSOC (1.52–1.33). Besides, the light-absorbing properties of HSOC were higher than that of WSOC, showing a factor of approximately 1.75 times for mass absorption efficiency at 365 nm (MAE365). Consequently, the simple forcing efficiency (SFE) caused by absorption showed that HSOC has higher radiation effects than WSOC. After photooxidation, the concentration of 16 PAHs in HSOC fractions significantly decreased by 15.3%–72.5%. In WSOC fractions, the content of CHO, CHONS, and CHOS compounds decreased slightly, while the content of CHON compounds increased. Meantime, the variations in molecular properties supported the decrease in light absorption of WSOC fractions. These results reveal the aging behavior of smoke particles, then stress the importance of non-polar organic fractions in particles, providing new insights into understanding the atmospheric pollution caused by BB smoke particles.

Alternative Uses of Rice Straw in North-Western Regions of India: A Review

After sugarcane bagasse and maize straw, rice straw (RS) is globally the third largest form of agricultural residue while, in India, it is the largest form of agricultural residue. In the north-western states of India wheat is taken as a rabi crop and surplus rice straw is a focal issue associated with storage of rice straw, removal of entire straw from the field, and very little time between the cultivation of the crop hence rice straw burning becomes cheap, quick and efficient way for preparing bed for sowing of wheat. Open burning of crop residue kills beneficial soil microflora, degrades soil, and adds to detrimental greenhouse gases such as SO2, NO2, CH4, N2O, CO, and hydrocarbons and particulate matter in the atmosphere. As a result, burning rice straw is a major source of pollution in the environment. This review looked into rice straw alternatives that were less harmful to the environment, such as RS biochar production, RS as industrial waste adsorbents, RS based bio-methanation, heavy metal amelioration, RS bricks and RS based bioethanol production.