Characterization and modeling of atmospheric particles from sugarcane burning in Morelos, Mexico

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane processing emits atmospheric pollutants due to sugar mill operation as well as customary fields burning, intended to ease post harvesting land preparation and to minimize inherent wastes. Three atmospheric monitoring campaigns were conducted in the municipality of Zacatepec, Mexico. The data obtained were used to calibrate a Gaussian model built into a Geographic Information System, aimed at modeling a large number of plots from the burn database of the Zone of Zacatepec. During the sugarcane harvesting time and sugar mill operation, particulate matter (PM) concentrations went up to five- and threefold greater for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, respectively, than during the period without the agro-industrial process. The PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations decreased between 39 and 43% when biomass burning activities stopped. In addition, measurements of 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons showed also the highest concentrations during the burning and sugar mill operating periods, where the most abundant of these compounds corresponded to those with the highest molecular weight displaying carcinogenic properties. Maps obtained of particles and benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentrations allowed determining the populations mostly exposed, which are useful for the design of policies related to adequate conditions for agriculture burning, including the suitability of continuing with such practice.

KEYWORDS:

• biomass burning
• PM_2.5
• PM modeling
• PAHs
• BAPeq

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Municipality Presidency of Jojutla–Zacatepec for the facilities and help provided during the sampling periods.

Funding

The authors thank CONACYT for the support to Project 181231 and for the graduate student scholarship of Fernando Millán.