Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Emission of Air Pollutants from Biomass Burning in Northern Thailand

Undergraduate #65
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Air

Laura Hernandez - Humboldt State University
Co-Author(s): Somporn Chantara, Chiang Mai University


Biomass samples from agricultural waste (maize residue, rice straw, sugar cane) and deciduous forest leaf litter were collected from provinces in Northern Thailand to be burned in a self-designed stainless steel chamber to simulate the emission of air pollutants. Particulate matter with diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) is the representative of air pollution in this study. The particles emitted during burning are very small and contribute to adverse negative health effects. The objectives of this study were to determine the concentrations of PM10 and PM10-bound ions emitted from the burning of four types of plant based biomass. A quartz filter was used to collect PM10 sample using a mini volume air sampler connected to the chamber. The 20 grams of each biomass type (n = 3) was burnt for five hours. The burning of forest leaf litter emitted the highest amount of PM10. However, the total emission factors of PM10-bound ions in descending order were rice > sugar cane > maize > mixed deciduous leaf litter.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): LSAMP Global Awareness Program/Humboldt State University LSAMP program/National Science Foundation grant # HRD-1302873

Faculty Advisor: Somporn Chantara,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.