Fine particles composition and emission chemical profiles from sugarcane production for source reconciliation applying the Chemical Mass Balance

• Published in: Journal of the Mexican Chemical Society 2024-09, Vol.68 (4), p.576-592
• Main Authors: Mugica Alvarez, Violeta, Millán-Vázquez, Fernando, Figueroa-Lara, José de Jesús, Valle-Hernández, Brenda Liz, Querol, Xavier, Hernández-Rosas, Francisco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1870-249X; 2594-0317
• DOI: 10.29356/jmcs.v68i4.2280

Every year, many tons of fine particles are emitted to the atmosphere due to the sugarcane-mills operation and for inadequate agricultural practices such as sugarcane burning. In order to foster a deeper knowledge about the levels and source contributions of particles and their toxic species, the City of Cordoba was selected for two PM2.5 sampling campaigns to be carried out in the center and in a rural location at 9 km far, during harvesting and non-harvesting seasons; additionally, the chemical source profiles from sugarcane burning and sugar mills were determined. The PM2.5 levels in the City of Córdoba ranged from 29.9 to 102.1 mg m-3 and from 13 to 36.6 mg m-3 in the harvest and non-harvest periods, respectively, but toxic chemical species rose up to nine times representing an important risk health. Total carbon concentrations during harvesting were around 67 % and 64 %. With the chemical source profiles and the PM2.5 airborne concentrations, the Chemical Mass Balance Model was applied for source reconciliation, evincing that sugarcane processes accounted with 22 % of fine particles, vehicles with 34 to 38 %, secondary inorganic aerosols from 16 to 24 %, and suspended particles from roads from 10 to 20 %. The results show that inhabitants in this area are exposed to high levels of PM2.5 in harvesting, with a high risk to their health. This study provides valuable information to the authorities for the PM2.5 control strategies design and protect the population health, during harvesting.   Resumen. Cada año, se emiten muchas toneladas de partículas finas a la atmósfera debido a la operación de los ingenios azucareros y a prácticas agrícolas inadecuadas como la quema de caña de azúcar. Con el fin de fomentar un conocimiento más profundo sobre los niveles y las contribuciones de origen de las partículas y sus especies tóxicas, la ciudad de Córdoba fue seleccionada para llevar a cabo dos campañas de muestreo de PM2.5 en el centro y en una ubicación rural a 9 km de distancia, durante las temporadas de cosecha y no cosecha; además, se determinaron los perfiles químicos de la quema de caña de azúcar e de los ingenios. Los niveles de PM2.5 en la ciudad de Córdoba oscilaron entre 29.9 y 102.1 μg m-3 y entre 13 y 36.6 μg m-3 en los períodos de cosecha y no cosecha, respectivamente, pero las especies químicas tóxicas se incrementaron hasta nueve veces, lo que representa un importante riesgo a la salud. Las concentraciones totales de carbono durante la cosecha fue