Abstract

CORONADO ORTEGA, Marcos Alberto et al. Emissions from wheat straw burning in Mexicali valley, 1987-2010. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2012, vol.28, suppl.1, pp.119-126. ISSN 0188-4999.

The state of Baja California, Mexico, ranks third nationally, with the largest area of wheat cultivation (13.5 %). Mexicali, BC capital is the main wheat producer and it represents the most important crop in the valley, with 87 724 ha as cultivated surface for the period 2009-2010; this leads to the generation of large amounts of wheat straw as agricultural residue. Traditionally 85 % wheat straw is burned in situ in order to prepare the farmland for the next agricultural cycle. The remaining 15 % have various applications. This practice has a considerable impact on CO, particulate matter and CH₄ emissions to environment, causing deterioration in air quality of Mexicali city and Valley, as well as problems in population health. In addition, the wheat straw energy content is wasted, which is potentially useful as a biofuel and it was estimated at 6.8 PJ in 2010. In this research, it is presented an emissions inventory by wheat straw in situ burning, for the period 1987-2010. The results show that total emissions, considering a head fire burning increased from 25 370 t (1987) to 41 913 t (2010). Considering the enormous amounts of wasted energy and emissions from wheat straw burning, it is advisable to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility to reconvert waste biomass and use it as feedstock for biofuels production or directly into power generation process.

Keywords : biomass; atmospheric pollution; energy; dynamic simulation.

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