Leonardo Machado Pitombo

Infield greenhouse gas emissions from sugarcane soils in Brazil: effects from synthetic and organic fertilizer application and crop trash accumulation

Bioethanol from sugarcane is becoming an increasingly important alternative energy source worldwide as it is considered to be both economically and environmentally sustainable. Besides being produced from a tropical perennial grass with high photosynthetic efficiency, sugarcane ethanol is commonly associated with low N fertilizer use because sugarcane from Brazil, the worlds largest sugarcane producer, has a low N demand. In recent years, several models have predicted that the use of sugarcane ethanol in replacement to fossil fuel could lead to high greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings. However, empirical data that can be used to validate model predictions and estimates from indirect methodologies are scarce, especially with regard to emissions associated with different fertilization methods and agricultural management practices commonly used in sugarcane agriculture in Brazil. In this study, we provide in situ data on emissions of three GHG (CO2, N2O, and CH4) from sugarcane soils in Brazil and assess how they vary with fertilization methods and management practices. We measured emissions during the two main phases of the sugarcane crop cycle (plant and ratoon cane), which include different fertilization methods and field conditions. Our results show that N2O and CO2 emissions in plant cane varied significantly depending on the fertilization method and that waste products from ethanol production used as organic fertilizers with mineral fertilizer, as it is the common practice in Brazil, increase emission rates significantly. Cumulatively, the highest emissions were observed for ratoon cane treated with vinasse (liquid waste from ethanol production) especially as the amount of crop trash on the soil surface increased. Emissions of CO2 and N2O were 6.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 and 7.5 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively, totaling about 3000 kg in CO2 equivalent ha−1 yr−1.

Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gases emissions in soil under sewage sludge residual effects

The large volume of sewage sludge (SS) generated with high carbon (C) and nutrient content suggests that its agricultural use may represent an important alternative to soil carbon sequestration and provides a potential substitute for synthetic fertilizers. However, emissions of CH4 and N2O could neutralize benefits with increases in soil C or saving fertilizer production because these gases have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) 25 and 298 times greater than CO2, respectively. Thus, this study aimed to determine C and N content as well as greenhouse gases (GHG) fluxes from soils historically amended with SS. Sewage sludge was applied between 2001 and 2007, and maize (Zea mays L.) was sowed in every year between 2001 and 2009. We evaluated three treatments: Control (mineral fertilizer), 1SS (recommended rate) and 2SS (double rate). Carbon stocks (0-40 cm) were 58.8, 72.5 and 83.1 Mg ha–1in the Control, 1SS and 2SS, respectively, whereas N stocks after two years without SS treatment were 4.8, 5.8, and 6.8 Mg ha–1, respectively. Soil CO2 flux was highly responsive to soil temperature in SS treatments, and soil water content greatly impacted gas flux in the Control. Soil N2O flux increased under the residual effects of SS, but in 1SS, the flux was similar to that found in moist tropical forests. Soil remained as a CH4sink. Large stores of carbon following historical SS application indicate that its use could be used as a method for carbon sequestration, even under tropical conditions.

Impacts of sugarcane agriculture expansion over low-intensity cattle ranch pasture in Brazil on greenhouse gases

Sugarcane is a widespread bioenergy crop in tropical regions, and the growing global demand for renewable energy in recent years has led to a dramatic expansion and intensification of sugarcane agriculture in Brazil. Currently, extensive areas of low-intensity pasture are being converted to sugarcane, while management in the remaining pasture is becoming more intensive, i.e., includes tilling and fertilizer use. In this study, we assessed how such changes in land use and management practices alter emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2, N2O and CH4 by measuring in situ fluxes for one year after conversion from low-intensity pasture to conventional sugarcane agriculture and management-intensive pasture. Results show that CO2 and N2O fluxes increased significantly in pasture and sugarcane with tillage, fertilizer use, or both combined. Emissions were highly variable for all GHGs, yet, cumulatively, it was clear that annual emissions in CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq) were higher in management-intense pasture and sugarcane than in unmanaged pasture. Surprisingly, tilled pasture with fertilizer (management-intensive pasture) resulted in higher CO2-eq emissions than conventional sugarcane. We concluded that intensification of pasture management and the conversion of pasture to sugarcane can increase the emission factor (EF) estimated for sugarcane produced in Brazil. The role of management practices and environmental conditions and the potential for reducing emissions are discussed.

CO2 emission from soil after reforestation and application of sewage sludge

This study aimed to quantify the carbon dioxide emissions from an Oxisol under degraded pasture located in Sorocaba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The treatments were: sewage sludge (LE), sewage sludge compost (CLE), mineral fertilizer (AM) and no fertilization (T0). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with analysis of the effect of the four treatments (CLE, LE, and AM T0) with four replications. The application of sewage sludge, sewage sludge compost, mineral fertilizer and no fertilizer was statistically significant for the variables of height increase and stem height of Guanandi seedlings (Calophyllum brasiliense Cambessedes - Calophyllaceae). Treatments showed significant differences in terms of CO2 emissions from soil. The CLE exhibited the highest CO2 fluxes, reaching a peak of 9.33±0.96 g C m - 2 day - 1 (p<0.0001), as well as the LE with a maximum CO2 flux of 6.35±1.17 C m - 2 day - 1 (p<0.005). The AM treatment (4.96±1.61 g C m - 2 day - 1) had the same statistical effect as T0 (5.33±0.49 g C m - 2 day - 1). CO2 fluxes were correlated with soil temperature in all treatments. However, considering the period of 172 days of evaluation, the total loss of C as CO2 was 2.7% for sewage sludge and 0.7% for the sewage sludge compost of the total C added with the application on soil.

Filmes poliméricos baseados em amido e lignossulfonatos: preparação, propriedades e avaliação da biodegradação

We obtained polymer films from corn starch with lignin incorporation as lignosulfonate. The motivation is the use of starch in obtaining films, due to their potential for biodegradation, and the use of lignosulfonate waste from the pulp and paper industry. To obtain films of lignosulfonates various powders of lignosulfonate were used, varying type and proportion (1% to 4%). Analyses were performed on polymer films to compare thermal properties by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and tensile properties in Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis, DMTA. We emphasize analyses of biodegradation and gas emission using gas chromatography. According to the results of DMTA, most polymeric films containing lignosulfonates showed lower tensile strength when compared to polymer films without lignosulfonates (1.024 MPa). However, the films containing lignosulfonate modified with sodium (Vixil S) showed higher tensile strength when compared to other films containing lignosulfonates (Vixil I and Vixil Tan). With some displacement of the main maximum peak temperatures for the films containing lignosulfonate (4% Vixil S), thermal analysis similarities between the two main types of polymer films (starch and starch with lignosulfonate) were observed. All materials are biodegradable, but higher CO2 and N2O emissions were observed for samples of the films containing 4% lignosulfonate type, Vixil S, compared to the samples without lignosulfonate.

Recycling organic residues in agriculture impacts soil-borne microbial community structure, function and N2O emissions.

Recycling residues is a sustainable alternative to improve soil structure and increase the stock of nutrients. However, information about the magnitude and duration of disturbances caused by crop and industrial wastes on soil microbial community structure and function is still scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate how added residues from industry and crops together with nitrogen (N) fertiliser affect the microbial community structure and function, and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The experimental sugarcane field had the following treatments: (I) control with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), (II) sugarcane straw with NPK, (III) vinasse (by-product of ethanol industry) with NP, and (IV) vinasse plus sugarcane straw with NP. Soil samples were collected on days 1, 3, 6, 11, 24 and 46 of the experiment for DNA extraction and metagenome sequencing. N2O emissions were also measured. Treatments with straw and vinasse residues induced changes in soil microbial composition and potential functions. The change in the microbial community was highest in the treatments with straw addition with functions related to decomposition of different ranges of C-compounds overrepresented while in vinasse treatment, the functions related to spore-producing microorganisms were overrepresented. Furthermore, all additional residues increased microorganisms related to the nitrogen metabolism and vinasse with straw had a synergetic effect on the highest N2O emissions. The results highlight the importance of residues and fertiliser management in sustainable agriculture.

Methodology for soil respirometric assays: Step by step and guidelines to measure fluxes of trace gases using microcosms

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