Evaluation of CO2 and particulate matter emissions from the incineration of calabacita (Cucurbita pepo L. - Cucurbitaceae)

Agricultural activities generate large amounts of biomass, which are largely burned in the field.This process has environmental impacts, mainly greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of thisstudy was to quantify the biomass and analyze the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and solidparticles of 2.5 and 10 microns associated with the cultivation of zucchini seedlings (Cucurbita pepo L.) in agricultural substrates. Th e biomass of the seedlings (leaf, stem and root) was estimated, and they were incinerated at temperatures ranging from 50 to 450 oC, recording the emissions of CO2 and particles generated. Th e total biomass of the leaves presented the highest average emission of CO2 (758,3 ppm) and PM2,5 (327,9 μg/m³), and in stem PM10 (2449,3 μg/m³) exceeding the reference levels indicated for Mexico and at international level. Total emissions of PM2,5 and PM10 also exceeded permissible limits. Th e results suggest the need to investigate seedling biomass composition and emissions to mitigate risks to human health and ecosystems.