Fertirrigation with sugarcane vinasse: Foreseeing potential impacts on soil and water resources through vinasse characterization

Author(s)

Fuess, Lucas T. ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Isabella J. ^[2] ; Garcia, Marcelo L. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Sch Engn EESC, Biol Proc Lab LPB, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Geosci & Exact Sci IGCE, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH PART A-TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING; v. 52, n. 11, p. 1063-1072, 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

This paper reports the characterization of the polluting potential of sugarcane vinasse, the main wastewater from ethanol production. Compositional data from vinasse samples collected from sugarcane biorefineries were used to predict negative effects on the soil, water resources and crops potentially associated with fertirrigation, the primary final destination of vinasse in Brazil. High risks of soil salinization were associated with the land disposal of vinasse, as evidenced by the high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS; >4,000mg L-1) and electrical conductivity (>6.7 dS m(-1)). The high TDS levels coupled with the high biodegradable organic content of vinasse (>14g L-1) also favor organic overloading events, leading to local anaerobiosis conditions. Conversely, soil sodification should not be observed in areas fertirrigated with sugarcane vinasse, given the low Na concentrations (<66mg L-1) relative to Mg (>145.1mg L-1) and Ca (>458.4mg L-1) levels. Priority pollutants (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) and phytotoxic elements (Al and Fe) were also found in the analyzed samples; however, relevant environmental impacts should not be associated with these particular constituents. Overall, the relatively simple methodology used herein could efficiently replace massive field data collection to provide a basic understanding of the fate of vinasse in the environment in order to highlight the priority points to be considered in the management of this effluent. In summary, the prompt implementation of treatment plants in distilleries, in addition to a continuous and broad compositional characterization of vinasse, is essential to guarantee its adequate reuse. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15984-0 - Bioenergy production from wastewaters and environmental fitting of liquid and solid wastes generated
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/04636-0 - Suitability of sugarcane stillage for the reuse in agriculture: assessment of different treatment technologies and potential environmental impacts
• Grantee: Isabella Junqueira Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/04101-8 - Assessment of the energy recovery capacity in anaerobic reactors applied to the treatment of residues with high organic concentration
• Grantee: Lucas Tadeu Fuess
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master