Title:
Assessment of the Effects of Sugarcane Straw Removal on Watersheds Stream Flow
Author(s):
Henzler, D.S., Hernandes, T.A.D., Seabra, J.E.A.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
The use of biomass has shown promise as a source of renewable energy, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). With the growing interest in the removal of sugarcane straw to produce bioenergy, in order to maintain the sustainability of the environment and the water security, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of this new management practice on the watershed stream flow. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, which was already calibrated and validated, was used to assess these impacts in a Brazilian basin (Fazenda Monte Alegre – FMA). Only a few changes in fertilization were made and also the addition of the amounts of 0 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1 and 10 t ha-1 of straw, representing the total, partial and no removal treatments, respectively. It was considered two scenarios: the actual Brazilian sugarcane areas and an extrapolated scenario considering an intense expansion of sugarcane. SWAT proved to be quite efficient in predicting the expected behavior of residue management on the evapotranspiration, water yield and basin stream flow. The total removal of straw slightly increased the evapotranspiration and the water yield in the rainy season and reduced then in the dry season, resulting in a decrease on the stream flow in dry season and an increase in the rainy season. These changes were observed in the Expansion scenario, but the differences did not exceed 3% in relation to the no removal scenario, indicating, from the hydrological point of view, the possibility of the straw removal for bioenergy generation in this basin.
Keywords:
agricultural residues, bioenergy, biomass, water availability, SWAT model
Topic:
Biomass Sustainability, Impacts and Policies
Subtopic:
Environmental impacts of bioenergy
Event:
27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4DO.5.3
Pages:
1604 - 1610
ISBN:
978-88-89407-19-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/27thEUBCE2019-4DO.5.3
Price:
FREE
