IMPACTO DE LA QUEMA DE BIOMASA EN EL PANTANAL SOBRE LA CALIDAD DEL AIRE EN PARAGUAY EN EL PERIODO 2010 A 2022
IMPACTO DE LA QUEMA DE BIOMASA EN EL PANTANAL SOBRE LA CALIDAD DEL AIRE EN PARAGUAY EN EL PERIODO 2010 A 2022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.3174162407067
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Palavras-chave: quemadas, calidad del aire, Pantanal
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Keywords: wildfires, air quality, Pantanal
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Abstract: The burning of biomass due to anthropogenic causes is a cyclical phenomenon observed in the central region of South America, particularly in the Pantanal area, which is very rich in biodiversity. This phenomenon has gained relevance in recent years due to changes in normal climatic conditions, causing problems ranging from the transport of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere to remote areas. The main objective of this research is to analyze the impact on air quality in Paraguay due to biomass burning in the Pantanal during the period from 2010 to 2022. For the investigation, data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) Global Reanalysis were considered. The data included fire radiative power with a spatial resolution of 0.1°x0.1° and a temporal resolution of 1 day; data on coarse particulate matter PM10, fine particulate matter PM2.5, total column carbon monoxide CO, total column nitrogen dioxide NO2, and total column sulfur dioxide SO2, with a spatial resolution of 0.75°x0.75° and a temporal resolution of 3 hours; and wind field data from the ERA5 Reanalysis (u, v) at different vertical levels with a spatial resolution of 0.25°x0.25° and a temporal resolution of 3 hours. The analysis considered the emission of pollutants in the Pantanal domain due to biomass burning and their subsequent transport to Paraguayan territory due to north-northeast winds. The results show that this phenomenon is generally observed between August and October, with a peak in September. Significant biomass burning peaks in the Pantanal were particularly noted in 2010, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, significant peaks of pollutants such as PM10, SO2, and NO2 were observed on the same dates, although there was not a very good correlation with CO values. A strong correlation was observed between average values of forest fires and pollutants, with maximum values between August and October, mainly in September. The best correlation was observed between forest fires and particulate matter, with a correlation value of 0.919. Finally, a case of high forest fires in the Pantanal area was analyzed, showing the spatial distribution of pollutants. The north wind, a consequence of the low-level jet, is an important factor in transporting pollutants, facilitating the efficient transport of pollutants from the Pantanal to Paraguay.
- Sergio Daniel Mendez
- Fernando José Mendez