Assessing the impact of atmospheric emissions related to the production and use of ethanol in the perspective of the current public policies of biofuels

• Grant number: 18/16554-9
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2018 - January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Maria Lúcia Arruda de Moura Campos
• Grantee: Maria Lúcia Arruda de Moura Campos
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Adalgiza Fornaro ; Bruno Spinosa de Martinis ; Roberta Cerasi Urban

Abstract

Recently, a new national policy was implemented to encourage the production and use of ethanol fuel. While on the one hand the emission of renewable carbon is desirable, on the other, the emission of ethanol derivate increases the toxicity of the atmosphere, and enhances the ozone formation potential, one of the main public health problems in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Although the burning of the sugar cane is practically banned in the state of São Paulo, biomass burning is still frequent in its interior and in other Brazilian states, including forest areas. The objective of this project is to investigate the possible impact of atmospheric emissions related to the production and use of fuel ethanol. For this purpose, samples of gases, fine and coarse particulate matter (PM) and rainwater from different parts of Brazil will be collected, and the following species will be quantified: ethanol, methanol, acetaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide (gas phase and rainwater), soluble major ions, organic nitrogen (rain and PM), levoglucosan and HPAs (PM), including retene that presented an average concentration 18 times higher in PM of sugarcane regions than in samples collected in the Amazon deforestation arch. Samplings will be carried out in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Curitiba, Cunha (SP) and the Amazon region, according to the objectives set for each locality. A better understanding of the dynamics of ethanol and related species in the atmosphere of Brazilian regions has not only regional implications, but also extends to the global sphere, in view of the expansion of the use of this fuel in other countries. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GIUBBINA, FERNANDA F.; SCARAMBONI, CAROLINE; DE MARTINIS, BRUNO S.; GODOY-SILVA, DANIELY; MELLO, IGRAYNE N. P. D.; NOGUEIRA, RAQUEL F. P.; CAMPOS, M. LUCIA A. M.. Temporal variation of ethanol in rainwater from the sugar cane belt of Sao Paulo State (Brazil). Atmospheric Environment, v. 216, NOV 1 2019. (18/16554-9, 16/07534-9, 12/00358-0, 13/13482-3)

SOUZA, MARIANA DE ALMEIDA; PACHECO, FELIPE SIQUEIRA; DE LEO PALANDI, JALUSA APARECIDA; FORTI, MARIA CRISTINA; CAMPOS, MARIA LUCIA A. M.; OMETTO, JEAN PIERRE H. B.; OLIVEIRA REIS, DAYANE CRISTINA; DE CARVALHO JUNIOR, JOAO ANDRADE. Atmospheric concentrations and dry deposition of reactive nitrogen in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Atmospheric Environment, v. 230, JUN 1 2020. (18/16554-9, 12/06416-1)