Emission factors from different burning stages of agriculture wastes in Mexico

Abstract

Open-air burning of agricultural wastes from crops like corn, rice, sorghum, sugar cane, and wheat is common practice in Mexico, which in spite limiting regulations, is the method to eliminate such wastes, to clear the land for further harvesting, to control grasses, weeds, insects, and pests, and to facilitate nutrient absorption. However, this practice generates air pollution and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Burning of straws derived from the said crops was emulated in a controlled combustion chamber, hence determining emission factors for particles, black carbon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide throughout the process, which comprised three apparent stages: pre-ignition, flaming, and smoldering. In all cases, maximum particle concentrations were observed during the flaming stage, although the maximum final contributions to the particle emission factors corresponded to the smoldering stage. The comparison between particle size distributions (from laser spectrometer) and black carbon (from an aethalometer) confirmed that finest particles were emitted mainly during the flaming stage. Carbon dioxide emissions were also highest during the flaming stage whereas those of carbon monoxide were highest during the smoldering stage. Comparing the emission factors for each straw type with their chemical analyses (elemental, proximate, and biochemical), some correlations were found between lignin content and particle emissions and either particle emissions or duration of the pre-ignition stage. High ash or lignin containing-straw slowed down the pre-ignition and flaming stages, thus favoring CO oxidation to CO.

Panel heterogeneous distribution analysis of trade and modernized agriculture on CO2 emissions: The role of renewable and fossil fuel energy consumption

“…The relationship between agriculture and carbon dioxide emissions has been studied and these indicate diverse outcomes. Studies have discussed the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and agriculture (Özilgen and Sorgüven, ; Santiago‐De la Rosa et al ., ; Waheed et al ., ). The study results stipulated that CO 2 emissions have a direct relationship with agriculture and its related services.…”

Effect of Oats and Wheat Genotype on In Vitro Gas Production Kinetics of Straw

“…Open burning of straw is legally regulated in Chile by Ordinance 276/1980 of the Ministry of Agriculture [5], and it is the most widely used practice to manage straw residues. However, this practice is highly undesirable because it oxidizes soil organic matter (OM), produces greenhouse gases, favors soil erosion and compaction, pollutes the air, and causes wildfires [6][7][8][9].…”

Utilization of Corn Cobs Ash as Cementitious and Binary Cementitious Materials in Concrete and Cement-based Composites: A Review

“…These waste streams are utilized as animal feeds, mulching materials, organic manure, and cooking fuel (Jansen et al, 2012). Other notable strategies for utilizing corn waste streams include landfilling, field dumping, and open combustion (Kapoor et al, 2016;Santiago-De la Rosa et al, 2017). Combustion of agricultural residues generates soot or particulate matter (PM) and greenhouse gases that pose a grave danger to human health, safety, and well-being.…”