Sugarcane Burning Research Articles

Optimization of operational ICP OES parameters and application to PM10 monitoring associated to sugarcane burning

An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) method was developed for the determination of several metals (As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn) in particulate matter (PM10) after acid extraction using a digester block. A complete 24 factorial design was employed to explore the best conditions for ICP OES radiofrequency (RF) power, plasma argon flow (P), auxiliary argon flow (A), and carrier argon flow (N). Subsequently, figures of merit consisting of linearity, limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ), and precision (recovery percentages) were evaluated by using the certified reference material (CRM) NBS-SRM-1633a Coal Fly Ash. Findings indicate that the optimum conditions for metal determinations in PM10 by ICP OES are RF = 1200 W; P = 10 L min−1; A = 0.60 L min−1, and N = 0.5 L min−1. Under these optimized conditions, recovery values for the metals detected in the CRM ranged from 81% for Ni to 133% for Fe, with LODs and LOQs between 0.02 ng m−3 and 0.06 ng m−3 for V and 37.1 ng m−3 and 122 ng m−3 for K, respectively, and relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 5%, indicating that the proposed optimization provides good accuracy and precision. This methodology was then applied to PM10 samples collected at Campos dos Goytacazes (Rio de Janeiro) during the sugarcane harvest of 2016/2017, in order to assess sugarcane burning impacts on local air quality.

Influence of environmental dust in transformation capacity of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

S. pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcus, is a naturally competent Gram-positive bacterium and is the major cause of pneumonia in elderly and children in developing countries. This pathogen is associated with respiratory diseases affected by pollution. The objective of this work was determining the effect of ash and environmental dust from the burning of sugarcane on pneumococci bacterial transformation. The transformation capacity of the Pn360 pneumococci strain was performed using the assays of DNA donor of mutant for luxS gene. Thus, the transformation tests were performed in contact with dust collected in the southwestern region of Brazil (important region where burning of sugar cane is present in the agriculture). The use of degradative practices in the sugar cane agriculture in Brazil was involved in the transformation capacity of the S. pneumoniae. This phenomenon includes important consequences for public health concerning to resistance acquisition and new virulence factors of this important infection. In conclusion, we obtained important results concerning the action of environmental pollution in Streptococcus pneumoniae transformation, increasing the DNA acquisition for this pathogen.

Relationship between agrarian contracts and renewable energy production in sugarcane agroindustry

Many agroindustries that process sugarcane raw to produce sugar and ethanol, and for energy cogeneration have difficulties to obtain all the necessary raw material. The agrarian contract practice can allow access to land in order to increase the production of sugarcane, without immobilizing resources in terms of the purchase of land, reducing the idle capacity of industrial plant, and increasing the cogeneration of energy by burning bagasse and sugarcane straw. It appears that the form of production of sugarcane (i.e., through land leasing, sharecropping, independent producers, etc.) can significantly affect the total costs of the industrial process. This work looks to find an empirical relation between the type of sugarcane producers and the energy produced by the mill based on data of the Agricultural Census of Brazil and monitoring data of power plant operation parameters of a typical mill in Brazil. It was found that the sugarcane raw coming from lands worked for tenants and sharecroppers increased his participation 112% and 469% respectively in the energy generation in the period 2006 to 2017.

Optical Characterization of Biomass Soot Samples

Soot from different biomass sources is investigated to develop absorbent coatings for use in solar cookers. Soot samples were analysed by spectral and solar reflectance in the range 280-2400 nm, by its organic elemental composition and through Raman spectroscopy. The soot was obtained from biomass burning of sugarcane, pine resin and firewood in a hearth. The averaged spectral reflectance for sugarcane soot is 3.5%, for wood-stove soot is 2.7% and the lower value corresponds to pine resin soot at 1.4%. Likewise, the lowest value of the solar reflectance was of 14.8 Wm−2 for pine resin soot. In addition, elemental composition analysis showed that pine resin also has the highest carbon content. Raman spectroscopy measurements were performed to find the structure and the degree of disorder in the graphite structure.

Exploração e precariedade na nova dinâmica produtiva nos canaviais e a persistência do desgaste e adoecimento do trabalho

Nas últimas décadas, o processo de trabalho no setor agrícola brasileiro passou por transformações. Essas alterações, desencadeadas em grande medida pela inserção de tecnologia e mecanização de etapas do processo produtivo, impuseram uma nova dinâmica ao trabalho nos canaviais, articulando antigas formas de organização e condições de trabalho com os imperativos da mecanização. Neste contexto, situações de suscetibilidade à ocorrência de acidentes e diferentes agravos à saúde, presentes no cotidiano do trabalho nos canaviais, renovaram-se. Exposição aos agrotóxicos, novas práticas de queima da cana, manuseio de máquinas e instrumentos de trabalho em um contexto de aumento da produtividade e intensificação do trabalho exemplificam esta situação. Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar e problematizar situações de trabalho, assim como as circunstâncias de ocorrências de acidentes típicos e doenças com nexo laboral no segmento da agroindústria canavieira da região de Araraquara (SP). As reflexões desenvolvidas têm como ponto de apoio pesquisa de campo desenvolvida entre 2013 e 2014. A partir das entrevistas com 14 trabalhadores(as) pode-se compreender as distintas articulações entre as histórias de vida desses homens e mulheres e o cotidiano do trabalho nos canaviais. Os dados obtidos indicam que o ritmo e a jornada intensa de trabalho, em conjunto com a falta de equipamento de proteção, a exposição aos agrotóxicos e com outros riscos presentes no meio rural estão na base da ocorrência dos acidentes, marcas da ampliação da exploração e da precariedade do trabalho com o avanço de medidas de perfil neoliberal.

Physicochemical analysis of sugarcane bagasseash (SBA) blended concrete to evaluate the pozzolanic activity of SBA

Sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) is the residue of burnt sugarcane bagasse used as a fuel in the co-generation units. The enormous quantities of SBA obtained as waste material from the cogeneration units can be utilized as a pozzolona.This article presents the investigation on the physical and chemical analysis on concrete made with OPC blended with SBA. Experimental investigation is performed on M30 grade concrete which forms the control mix. SBA blended concrete is obtained by partially replacing the OPC with SBA at different percentages. The workability of the fresh concrete and compressive strength at 7 and 28 days of the control concrete and SBA blended concrete are determined.The particle size distribution, surface area and specific gravity of OPC and SBA were determined using HORIBA zeta analyzer, BET surface area analyzer and Standard Le-chatelier flask respectively. The chemical composition of SBA and OPC was obtained using XRF technique and the mineralogical analysis of SBA was carried out using XRD technique.To evaluate the pozzolanic activity of SBA, the hardened concrete matrix wereanalyzed for their microstructural and chemical composition using SEM and EDS techniques. The compressive strength results indicate that replacement of OPC by SBA upto 20% is beneficial. The SEM images and EDS analysis substantiates the pozzolanicbehavior of SBA at different replacement percentages.

Investigation on the mechanical properties of eco-friendly pervious concrete

Pervious concrete has newly undertaken to escalate for its demand. As urban areas develop, the difficulties related to runoff management have become more herculean and pervious concrete can provide a sustainable solution. Sustainable development in the field of concrete structures can be achieved by minimizing the usage of cement in concrete as it releases a large amount of CO2 leading to various hazards. The reduction of Portland cement is attained by replacing by-product from various industries. Sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) is obtained by burning sugarcane after the extraction of all efficient sugar from it. Disposal of the ash material causes various environmental hazards. Strength is improved by using SCBA as a supplementary material and thus makes the resultant concrete eco-friendlier and economical. The bagasse ash which passes 150 μm and retained on 90 μm similar to that of OPC is used in this study. The samples are prepared by replacement of bagasse ash with cement in different percentages and the strength parameters and permeability of concrete is tested. Six different concrete mixes with the bagasse ash replacing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the OPC were prepared with water to cement ratio of 0.34 and 202.83 kg/m3 cement content. It is found that at 15% replacement, the optimum strength is obtained. Since the aggregate sizes used for all the percentage replacements remains same, the permeability ranges from 0.2 cm/s to 0.4 cm/s.

Assessing the effects of harvesting with and without burning and vinasse application in sugarcane crops: Evaluation of soil fertility and phosphorus pools in different ethanol production systems

Ethanol is recognized worldwide as a clean and renewable energy source. In tropical and subtropical countries, it is produced from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). In this study, we investigated the effects of sugarcane management systems: a) burning of sugarcane for harvest for 37 years (SCB37); b) burning of sugarcane for 3 years after 5 years of fallow (SCB3); c) sugarcane field without burning for harvest for 3 years (SCWB), and d) burning for harvest with the application of vinasse for 3 years (SCV), on soil fertility and accumulation of organic and inorganic fractions of phosphorus (P) in sugarcane crops for bioenergy production in south-east Brazil. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm between planting rows in each management system and submitted for evaluation of soil fertility and accumulation of P fractions via sequential fractionation. We observed that application of vinasse reduced the pH (3.7–4.2) and the availability of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ on the surface, associated with the increase in Al3+ content and potential acidity. However, its use increased the availability of K+ and inorganic P content of higher lability (extracted with NaHCO3) in the subsurface. The maintenance of straw on the surface promoted reductions in pH values and an increase in the potential acidity and was inefficient in the accumulation of organic and inorganic fractions of P, compared to the system with the application of vinasse. Overall, we observed that the moderately labile fraction (organic and inorganic) represented on average 60 % (higher participation) of the total P content of soil in the experimental areas and was more significant in the soil under vinasse application and less evident in the treatments without burning and in the 3-year burning. This fraction can represent an important reserve of P (legacy) for the crops, reducing the use of phosphate mineral fertilizers over the years. Our findings are important for the selection and implementation of efficient and sustainable sugarcane cultivation systems, with implications for the ethanol industry to meet the growing demand for renewable fuel in the world.

Regional wind pattern, a basis for defining the appropriate lapse of time for sugarcane burning in the Cauca Valley (Colombia)

Pre-harvest burning, an activity associated with manual sugarcane cutting, repels poisonous animals and makes harvesting considerably more straightforward and quicker. However, some reports from other countries that associate pre-harvest burning with human illness determined a change in the sugarcane harvest management. New crop management was based on green harvesting and the use of wind data to decide the right moment for burning. This work aimed to know the standard wind patterns to design strategies that allow sugar mills to burn sugarcane crops with minimum human health impacts. This study was based on the elaboration and analysis of 4320 wind rose plots of 30 weather stations located in the Colombian sugarcane production region. The analysis was performed at daily and monthly scales. The analysis considered the wind speed and wind direction values that increase the risk of affecting a settlement with the particulate matter when burning is done. Results showed that this region has local wind patterns that predominate direction and speed changes in response to the daily cycle. The main factor increasing the risk mentioned above is the wind speed. In this area, calm events (wind speed 5 m s−1) determine restrictions for crop burning 66% of the time. In the remaining 34% of the time, risk depends on the wind direction, and this is the ideal lapse of time for seeking the right moment for burning. The results are a tool for decision-making at different levels.

Sugarcane Burning - A Potential Cause of Disease in Affected Individuals of Households in Uitvlugt and Ogle, Guyana

Sugarcane Burning - A Potential Cause of Disease in Affected Individuals of Households in Uitvlugt and Ogle, Guyana

The environmental, social and economic effects of recent technological changes in sugarcane on the State of São Paulo, Brazil

AbstractFrom 2007 to 2017, the Agro‐Environmental Protocol of the Sugar and Energy Sector was in force, an agreement between sugarcane mill owners and the State Government of São Paulo, Brazil, proposing to eliminate sugarcane burning as a method to facilitate the harvest. Simultaneously, the sugarcane harvest was becoming widely mechanized while, under the interests of capital accumulation, the mills were entering the information and communication technology era and providing the agricultural processes with more precise and immediate management and technological controls, similar to those implemented in the mills' administrative and industrial operations in the 1990s. Short‐term factors, including environmental factors, favoured sugarcane technological changes. As a result, there was a mass layoff of rural workers and an increasing number of people/workers in agricultural mechanization, transportation and maintenance of machinery and administrative as well. The whole process highlighted the differences between mills, resulting in small and medium sugarcane farmers and mills to become the most impacted, in operational and financial terms, by the accelerating mechanization of the sugarcane industry as a whole.

Techno-economic analysis of a hybrid combined cycle applied to sugarcane plants

Hybrid combined cycles, fueled by natural gas and biomass, have been present in several power plants. As shown by different authors, it is possible to increase the overall efficiency of these plants by means of waste heat recovery from exhaust gases of gas turbines. The main disadvantage, for some cases, is the higher natural gas consumption, making some plants economically unfeasible. The present work applies the concept of a novel hybrid combined cycle (HCC), adapted for sugarcane mills, burning sugarcane bagasse and natural gas. In order to evaluate the potential of application of this concept, a new hybrid configuration, starting from an existing plant, is proposed. A thermodynamic performance study has shown an electrical efficiency improvement (from 6.8% to 17.8%) for the same amount of bagasse originally burnt, thus allowing the plant to operate throughout the year, increasing the electricity generation (from 108.9 to 323.0GWhel) as well as meeting the same steam demands for sugar and ethanol production processes. The economic evaluation, considering investments, operating expenses and plant requisites, has pointed to an internal rate of return (IRR) of 22.89%. Furthermore, this new configuration does not depend on a large natural gas consumption (gas share of 11.4%), making the plant’s economic feasibility less dependent on fluctuations of natural gas prices. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of four different hybrid plants have shown the techno-economic feasibility of hybrid combined cycles applied to sugarcane mills, including during the off-season period.

Sugarcane: Brazilian public policies threaten the Amazon and Pantanal biomes

The Brazilian government once again threatens its natural heritage by issuing a decree that liberates the sugarcane plantations in the Pantanal and the Amazon regions. The production of a non-sanctioned crop is likely to become the newest driver of deforestation in these biomes. Direct conversion of forests, migration of livestock to new forested areas, rising land values, the danger of forest fires spreading and of carbon emissions from burning sugarcane during harvesting can all create a carbon balance debt and impact on water balance that could take centuries to offset and will compromise the sustainability of the Brazilian ethanol sector.

A proposal for strategic regulation for the problem of burning sugarcane in the district of La Huaca, Piura, 2015 - 2018

Objetivo determinar relacion entre la regulacion ambiental y la quema de cana de azucar del distrito de la Huaca, Piura. El presente articulo refleja el desarrollo de una investigacion de tipo no experimental y correlacional y esta enmarcada en el enfoque mixto. La muestra fue de tipo probabilistica que comprende 333 ciudadanos del distrito de La Huaca, Piura. Se utilizo la encuesta para recoger informacion relevante de los pobladores de La Huaca, asi como tambien se utilizo la recoleccion de datos mediante el cuestionario y la entrevista a profundidad a 28 expertos en evaluacion ambiental respecto de las variables materia de la investigacion. Asimismo, para la confiabilidad del instrumento se utilizo el coeficiente de Alfa de Cronbach que salio con alto valor de confiabilidad para las variables de estudio. Los resultados arrojaron que existe relacion entre la regulacion ambiental y la quema de cana de azucar del distrito de la Huaca, Piura, teniendo un coeficiente inverso de (r= -, 207) afirmando que la regulacion ambiental se relaciona significativamente con la quema de cana de azucar del distrito de la Huaca, Piura, interpretandose como: A mayor regulacion ambiental, entonces menor quema de cana de azucar. Finalmente, se debe senalar que el termino “regulacion ambiental” no guarda identidad absoluta a “normas legales”, pues es enmarcado en los preceptos de Analisis de Impacto Regulatorio (AIR) el cual propone que la promulgacion de normas no es la unica manera de regular, pues las autoridades deben tener a su disposicion un abanico de alternativas para hacer cambiar la conducta a sujetos regulados y orientarlos a fines publicos relevantes. Palabras clave: Regulacion ambiental, Analisis de Impacto Regulatorio, Quema de Cana de azucar. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24265/iggp.2020.v7n1.03

Fire lead to disturbance on organic carbon under sugarcane cultivation but is recovered by amendment with vinasse

Sugarcane burning has been widely practiced in Brazil and worldwide. In the long term, this farming practice can cause soil erosion, reduction in organic carbon (OC) and consequently, changes in the structure of soil organic matter (SOM). Such changes may be difficult to reverse. This study aimed to assess the medium- and long-term effects of sugarcane burning on SOM characteristics, both in terms of quantity and structural quality and evaluate the application of vinasse as a strategy to attenuate fire-induced changes in burned soil. The experiment was conducted in a 50-year-old sugarcane field on soils classed as Cambissolo Háplico (Inceptisol). Four plots were sampled: a) burning of sugarcane for harvest for 37 years (SCB37); b) renewal of the sugarcane field and burning for harvest for 3 years (SCB3); c) renewal of the sugarcane field without burning for harvest for 3 years (SCWB), and d) renewal of the sugarcane field and burning for harvest with the application of vinasse for 3 years (SCV). Chemical and physical characterization of SOM was performed by solid-state spectroscopy (UV–vis, ATR-FTIR e 13C NMR CP/MAS) and chemometric techniques. The results showed that sugarcane burning drastically impacts SOM content and its chemical structure, however, the application of vinasse preserves and restores the soil from the fire effects. Content of soil OC, particulate OC, mineral-associated OC, humic acid, humin and light fraction OM that were affected by fire, had an increase and recovery of contents by the vinasse application. Solid state spectroscopy showed that labile structures were lost in humic acids (HA) by fire and recalcitrant structures were preserved. The application of vinasse incorporated fragments of lipids and carbohydrates in HA structure. Burning sugar cane straw affects the integrity of soil organic matter but can be restored by applying vinasse.

Public perceptions of air quality status and suggestions for improvement: The case of Richards Bay and its surroundings, uMhlathuze Local Municipality, South Africa

Whereas industrial growth is instrumental in unlocking poverty and advancing development, often, the effect of pollution on the environment, particularly air quality, is seldom accurately predicted. The effects, which include mortality, morbidity, and loss of productive time, are demonstrated later after the damage is done. The views of the pollution-exposed public in industrialised centres is important to ascertain if policy intervention is enhancing environmental protection for all and justice by extension. Through an online survey, 215 residents of the rapidly industrialising Richards Bay and surrounding areas in South Africa responded to the questions about their perceptions of air quality and recommendations to improve air quality management. Results indicate a concern over air quality with most residents perceiving the air quality as fair or poor. Industrial emission was cited as the leading cause of pollution followed by sugar cane and agrarian burning. Irritation of the ear, nose and throat, as well as sneezing and coughing, were the health effects experienced by residents for which air pollution can be partly attributed. The public recommends an improvement in air quality monitoring, consequence management, technology and public transport system. In addition, they recommended the introduction of air quality offsets, incentives schemes, more public involvement, coordinated planning and better collaboration as a recipe for success in air quality management.

CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS IN ASH EMITTED BY THE SUGAR FACTORY LA GLORIA, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Agricultural activities are one of the main sources of environmental pollution. One such source is sugarcane burning and the related agroindustrial processes carried out by sugar mills that emit a great volume of particulate matter containing heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). These heavy metals result in serious pollution problems and harm to public health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and spatial distribution of the heavy metals Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn present in the particulate matter emitted by La Gloria sugar mill and by sugarcane burning in regional agroecosystems, as a function of the distance at which such material was deposited during the emission process. The research was carried out in the town of La Gloria, Veracruz where the sugar mill is located. Two study areas were established: the first, zone A, was located 50 to 400 m away from the mill, and the second, zone B, 401 to 900 m away. A total of 51 ash sampling sites were randomly selected, 17 in zone A and 34 in zone B. The samples collected within the town were representative of the area with the highest incidence of particulate matter. An analysis of means showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cu and Pb were higher in zone A than in zone B (100.6179 > 66.3614 µg/g; 92.2825 > 47.2526 µg/g; 876 8559 > 701.3888 µg/g, espectively). However, in zone B the concentration of Zn was higher than in A (28.5941 > 28.8798 µg/g). As regards to distance, no significant statistical difference between zones was found.

Estimation of Reduced Air Emissions as a Result of the Implementation of the Measure to Reduce Burned Sugarcane in Thailand

In the middle of 2019, Thailand introduced an urgent measure to solve the haze and fine particles problem caused by preharvest sugarcane. The measure is to eradicate the burning of sugarcane before harvesting within the next four years. This study focuses on estimation of future reduced air emissions from the implementation of this measure. The study results showed that without the implementation of the measure in the production season 2022/23, the amount of burned sugarcane will be as high as 102.4 ± 1.0 Mt/yr, resulting in the release of small particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5) emissions into the atmosphere at 30.6 ± 8.6 kt/yr, which is about a 21% increase in emissions from the 2018/19 season. However, with the government’s enforcement of the measure to reduce burned sugarcane, the amount of air emissions will immediately be reduced in the first year. In order to effectively implement the sugarcane burning reduction measure, in which the harvesting methods will change from cutting burned sugarcane to cutting fresh sugarcane with human labor and with machinery, the government must provide financial support, to farmers, of approximately 3.3 USD per ton of fresh sugarcane for the use of human labor and 2.9 USD per ton of fresh sugarcane for the use of machinery. The costs of investment to reduce PM2.5 emissions can be calculated in the range of 9.7−11.0 million USD per kiloton of PM2.5.

Mass concentration and size distribution of particles released from harvesting and biomass burning of sugarcane

AbstractWe evaluated size distribution and mass concentrations of fine (particulate matter < 2.5 μm, PM2.5) and coarse (particulate matter = 2.5–10 μm, PM2.5‐10) particles released during sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) harvesting operations, including cutting of green cane (GH), burning of standing cane (SB), cane harvest cutting after SB (BH), and ground burning of harvest residues left in the field (GB). Total number of PM2.5 released from GB was 1.63 times greater than that from SB. Total time of burning (flaming + smoldering) phase during GB was 1.5 to 2.1 times longer than SB. The flaming phase for both GB and SB was shorter than the smoldering phase but emitted 5.2 to 7.5 times more PM2.5. Average particle density of PM2.5 from burning operations was 1.12 g cm−3 for GB and 0.52 g cm−3 for SB. The GH and BH released lower PM2.5 but higher PM2.5‐10 as compared to SB and GB. Overall, biomass burning, regardless GB and SB difference, released significantly higher PM2.5 than harvest‐cutting operations.

Assessment of the self-sustained energy generation of an integrated first and second generation ethanol production from sugarcane through the characterization of the hydrolysis process residues

This paper compares the physico-chemical characterization of bagasse and sugarcane straw used for second-generation ethanol process and the waste produced in a pilot plant. The bagasse was obtained from conventional ethanol process. The cane straw was pruned in a hammer mill and also sent to the second-generation process. Analysis of the bagasse and the residue after hydrolysis indicated that about 64% of the cellulose and 95% of the hemicellulose in the sample was converted to sugars during hydrolysis. Much of the cellulose therefore remains in the final residue together with the lignin. Results for the available energy from the waste generated during the production of first- and second-generation ethanol indicate considerable potential for thermal power generation. For an integrated plant, with conventional ethanol production, second generation ethanol production and a cogeneration system burning sugarcane straw and process residues, energy self-sufficiency is achieved by using only 36% of the cane straw recovery from the field. In this case, 63 kWh is the surplus electricity generated per ton of cane processed.