11 research outputs found
Quantity and quality of soil organic matter as a sustainability index under different land uses in Eastern Amazon
<div><p>ABSTRACT: Soil organic matter (SOM), which influences chemical, physical and biological soil attributes, is the main form of C found in the soil which can also be used as a soil sustainability index. The aim of this study was to use the quantity and quality of SOM as an indicator to determine the sustainability of different land uses (native vegetation, secondary vegetation, fruit orchards, horticultural areas, degraded pasture, improved pasture, and fields with annual crops) in the eastern Amazon. Improved pasture had higher soil C stock than the other land uses and was similar to the native vegetation, and also presented the highest quantity of C in a stable form in the soil (fraction < 53 ÎĽm). According to the C management index, improved pasture is the most similar in use to native vegetation. Changes in land use reduced the soil microbial C content, although the more conservationist systems (fruit orchards, secondary vegetation, and improved pasture) had contents similar to those of the native vegetation. The highest soil microbial quotients were found in fruit orchards and horticultural areas. Well-managed pastures were effective in accumulating C as stable forms in the soil, which demonstrates the sustainability of this land use in the region studied.</p></div
Life cycle of soybean biodiesel produced in Brazil, highlighting GHG emission sources within the four stages: agriculture, extraction, biodiesel production and distribution.
<p>Life cycle of soybean biodiesel produced in Brazil, highlighting GHG emission sources within the four stages: agriculture, extraction, biodiesel production and distribution.</p
Schematic representation of the four pathways for distribution of final B100.
<p>Schematic representation of the four pathways for distribution of final B100.</p
Main inputs and yield per hectare of soybean in Mato Grosso state, Brazil (growing season of 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10).
<p>Main inputs and yield per hectare of soybean in Mato Grosso state, Brazil (growing season of 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10).</p
Summary of conversion factors used in this study.
<p>Summary of conversion factors used in this study.</p
Life cycle GHG emission of biodiesel production, considering a domestic B100 scenario (MT-PA) and an exported B100 scenario (MT-EU).
<p>Life cycle GHG emission of biodiesel production, considering a domestic B100 scenario (MT-PA) and an exported B100 scenario (MT-EU).</p
Relative share of GHG emissions in each stage (agriculture, extraction, biodiesel production and distribution) for B100 produced from integrated and non-integrated plant considering the MT-PA and MT-EU scenarios.
<p>Relative share of GHG emissions in each stage (agriculture, extraction, biodiesel production and distribution) for B100 produced from integrated and non-integrated plant considering the MT-PA and MT-EU scenarios.</p
Life cycle GHG emission of B100 based on four different transportation routes.
<p>Life cycle GHG emission of B100 based on four different transportation routes.</p
Previous LCA emission studies of Brazilian soybean (-derived) products.
<p>Previous LCA emission studies of Brazilian soybean (-derived) products.</p
Relative share (allocation in mass and energy) of each stage (agriculture, extraction, biodiesel production and distribution) considering four scenarios for distribution of final B100.
<p>Relative share (allocation in mass and energy) of each stage (agriculture, extraction, biodiesel production and distribution) considering four scenarios for distribution of final B100.</p