Atmospheric emission of reactive nitrogen during biofuel ethanol production

This paper evaluates emissions to the atmosphere of biologically available nitrogen compounds in a region characterized by intensive sugar cane biofuel ethanol production. Large emissions of NH(3) and NO,, as well as particulate nitrate and ammonium, occur at the harvest when the crop is burned, with the amount of nitrogen released equivalent to similar to 35% of annual fertilizer-N application. Nitrogen oxides concentrations show a positive association with fire frequency, indicating that biomass burning is a major emission source, with mean concentrations of NO, doubling in the dry season relative to the wet season. During the dry season biomass burning is a source of NH3, with other sources (wastes, soil, biogenic) predominant during the wet season. Estimated NO(2)-N, NH(3)-N, NO(3)(-)-N and NH(4)(+)-N emission fluxes from sugar cane burning in a planted area,of ca. 2.2 x 10(6) ha are 11.0, 1.1, 0.2, and 1.2 Gg N yr(-1), respectively.

Global and diffuse solar irradiances in urban and rural areas in southeast Brazil

The seasonal evolution of daily and hourly values of global and diffuse solar radiation at the surface are compared for the cities of São Paulo and Botucatu, both located in Southeast Brazil and representative of urban and rural areas, respectively. The comparisons are based on measurements of global and diffuse solar irradiance carried out at the surface during a six year simultaneous period in these two cities. Despite the similar latitude and altitude, the seasonal evolution of daily values indicate that São Paulo receives, during clear sky days, 7.8% less global irradiance in August and 5.1% less in June than Botucatu. on the other hand, São Paulo receives, during clear sky days, 3.6% more diffuse irradiance in August and 15.6% more in June than Botucatu. The seasonal variation of the diurnal cycle confirms these differences and indicates that they are more pronounced during the afternoon. The regional differences are related to the distance from the Atlantic Ocean, systematic penetration of the sea breeze and daytime evolution of the particulate matter in São Paulo. An important mechanism controlling the spatial distribution of solar radiation, on a regional scale, is the sea breeze penetration in São Paulo, bringing moisture and maritime aerosol that in turn further increases the solar radiation scattering due to pollution and further reduces the intensity of the direct component of solar radiation at the surface. Surprisingly, under clear sky conditions the atmospheric attenuation of solar radiation in Botucatu during winter - the biomass burning period due to the sugar cane harvest - is equivalent to that at São Paulo City, indicating that the contamination during sugar cane harvest in Southeast Brazil has a large impact in the solar radiation field at the surface.

Viabilidade de crescimento micelial de Coprinus comatus em meio de cultura à base de resíduos orgânicos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the mycelial growth of the Coprinus comatus strain CCO 01/01 in culture based on organic residues of Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane bagasse), Citrus sinensis (orange bagasse), Ananas comosus (pineapple residues) and Musa sp. (banana leaf), supplemented with wheat bran in the proportions of 0, 10 and 20%, kept at 27 degrees C. The mycelial growth of C. comatus was evaluated daily by measurement of the diameter of the colony during seven days of incubation. The banana leaf was considered the best residue for the cultivation of the C. comatus even without supplementation, meaning lower production costs. The supplementation of pineapple residues with 10% of wheat bran favored fungi growth. Sugar-cane bagasse was suitable for the growth of the C. comatus provided it is enriched with wheat bran. The orange bagasse, without pH correction, was not appropriate for the mycelial growth of C. comatus.

Análise físico-química e composição nutricional da matéria prima e de substratos pré e pós cultivo de Pleurotus ostreatus

The aim of the present study was to carry out the physical, chemical and nutritional analyses of the alternative substrates formulated from wood and agroindustrial residues of the Amazon for Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.:Fr.) Kummer cultivation. The determination of C, N, pH, humidity, soluble solids, protein, fat, total fiber ash, carbohydrates (total and available) and energy were carried out. The substrates were formulated from sawdust of Simarouba amara Aubl. (marupa), Ochroma piramidale Cav. ex. Lam. (pau de balsa) and from the stein of Bactris gasipaes Kunth (pupunheira palm tree), and from Saccharum officinarum L. (sugar cane bagasse). The results demonstrated that the nutritional composition of the substrate is variable and the improvement of the quality of the spent substrate (energy and protein increment) promoted by the metabolism of the fungus during the cultivation, contributed for a more nutritive substrate than the initial one, which could be used as a compost for Agaricus sp. cultivation, as organic fertilizer and for bioremediation for contaminated soils.

Assessment of Cerdocyon thous distribution in an agricultural mosaic, southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fotointerpretacao comparativa de fotografias pancromaticas, imagens de radar e de satelite

Three types of imagery were evaluated for mapping drainage patterns and vegetation in a 100 000 ha area of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The drainage measurements were drainage density, frequency of channels and texture ratio, studied on circular samples of 10 km2 for panchromatic photography and 100 km2 for radar and satellite images. The vegetation types were forest, pasture, sugar cane and rice, studied on circular samples of 100 km2. Radar images were the most convenient method to study drainage patterns and the land forms of large areas, while Landsat imagery was most efficient for the study of vegetative cover, although panchromatic photographs were the most accurate method.-from Field Crop Abstracts

Caracterizacao climatica e variacao das disponibilidodes de agua nos nucieos canavieriros paulistas.

Analyses water budgets and time series data on the relationship between rainfall and evapotranspiration for the sugar-cane zones of Sao Paulo State and then compares water availability in soil with agricultural yields. -R.N.Gwynne

Identificacao e mapeamento de areas de maior eficiencia fotossintetica para a cana-de-acucar

The objective was the study of better areas for sugar cane exploitation, using variables related to the classes and exposition of slopes, edaphic and climatic variables. Data were analysed with the aid of a Geographic Information System supported by 8 bit microcomputer, and maps of North exposition, photosynthetically the most efficient, were produced for different gradients of slope. These maps combined with traditional maps can be a very helpful tool to planners. -from English summary

Comportamento espacial da cultura canavieira no Estado de Sao Paulo, 1980

Data from the agricultural and Cattle Raising Census for 1980 show that most of the sugar cane producing counties lie in the administrative regions of Campinas, Ribeirao Preto and Sao Jose do Rio Preto. A comparison with the 1975 data shows two important facts; 1) an increase of the cultivated area in 118 counties and 2) an increase in the number of counties with area under sugar cane. There was also an expansion in the sub-regions of Catanduva, Assis and Ourinhos. Nevertheless, Piracicaba, Araraquara, Ribeirao Preto, Jaboticabal and Jau, have continued to be important sugar cane producing nuclei in the State since 1960. -from English summary

Caracterizacao edafo-climatica do Estado de Minas Gerais para a cultura da Cana-de-acucar

An ecological zoning originates seven regional units according to the main limitations to sugar cane culture. -from English summary

Aplicacao da analise discriminante no estudo hidroquimico does rios Corumbatai e Piracicaba (SP)

The results indicated potassium as the most important for the discrimination between groups of samples, followed by magnesium, calcium and sodium. As the area has been under intense sugar cane industrialisation, the soil and the river waters of the region receive a high content of vinasse rich in potassium. -from English summary

Effects of cumulative doses of vinasse on soil microorganisms in cerrado

Counts of colony forming units of actinomycetes, bacteria and filamentous fungi were determined in cerrado soil treated with vinasse (processed sugar cane effluent) for 5 yr, using doses of 20 l m-2a-1 and 50 l m-2a-1. A temporary increase in the counts of actinomycetes and bacteria for some months after the addition of vinasse was observed. An increased number of fungi was detected throughout the experiment together with qualitative changes in the population. The most abundant fungi in cerrado soil not treated with vinasse (control soil) were Chaetomium, yeasts, Mucor, Penicillium and Trichoderma, while in vinasse treated soils, the same genera adding Verticillium, with the exception of yeasts, were the most common fungi. -Author

Experimental investigation of soil and groundwater impacts caused by vinasse disposal

The problems caused by the residual effluents of wine distilleries for alcohol production are well known. The effluent effects in soil and groundwater are being researched in an area with sugar cane culture which receives, yearly, vinasse by dispersion. Samples are being collected from the soil, the groundwater and the existing creeks in the area. Four sub-areas are being monitored separately with a vinasse application of 300 m 3/ha year. Experimentation periods in each area have been 0, 5, 10 and 15 years. In the unsaturated zone, samples are being collected at depths of 25, 75 and 150 cm. The chemical analyses include macro and micro nutrients, organic matter and pH. Physical analyses give the soil water retention, hydraulic conductivity and soil particle distribution. These measurements permit the evaluation of nitrogen absorption and fertility changes of the soil. A tendency for the maintenance of soil fertility can be observed but with an elevation of nitrate concentration in groundwater.