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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Sugar markers in aerosol particles from an agro-industrial region in Brazil

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Author(s):
Urban, R. C. [1] ; Alves, C. A. [2] ; Allen, A. G. [3] ; Cardoso, A. A. [3] ; Queiroz, M. E. C. [1] ; Campos, M. L. A. M. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Chem, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Aveiro, Ctr Environm & Marine Studies, P-3810193 Aveiro - Portugal
[3] Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Chem, BR-14800900 Araraquara, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Atmospheric Environment; v. 90, p. 106-112, JUN 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 23
Abstract

This work aimed to better understand how aerosol particles from sugar cane burning contribute to the chemical composition of the lower troposphere in an agro-industrial region of Sao Paulo State (Brazil) affected by sugar and ethanol fuel production. During a period of 21 months, we collected 105 samples and quantified 20 saccharides by GC-MS. The average concentrations of levoglucosan (L), mannosan (M), and galactosan (G) for 24-h sampling were 116, 16, and 11 ng m(-3) respectively. The three anhydrosugars had higher and more variable concentrations in the nighttime and during the sugar cane harvest period, due to more intense biomass burning practices. The calculated L/M ratio, which may serve as a signature for sugar cane smoke particles, was 9 +/- 5. Although the total concentrations of the anhydrosugars varied greatly among samples, the relative mass size distributions of the saccharides were reasonably constant. Emissions due to biomass burning were estimated to correspond to 69% (mass) of the sugars quantified in the harvest samples, whereas biogenic emissions corresponded to 10%. In the non-harvest period, these values were 44 and 27%, respectively, indicating that biomass burning is an important source of aerosol to the regional atmosphere during the whole year. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/58073-5 - Effects of emissions on current and future rainfall patterns in southeast Brazil
Grantee:Arnaldo Alves Cardoso
Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants