The race to meet carbon-neutral biofuel targets could put human health and food crop production at risk unless it is carefully planned, according to new research.
A new study, led by Professor Nick Hewitt of Lancaster University, examined changes in ground level ozone in response to projected land use change associated with future biofuel cultivation.
Publishing in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers found that it would be possible to grow enough biofuel crops in Europe to meet EU biofuel targets but this could only be done relatively safely if the right crops were planted in the right places — away from highly populated areas.
Biofuels — usually derived from specialist crops such as poplar, willow or eucalyptus — offer alternative energy sources to carbon-intensive fossil fuels.
However, many plant species grown for biofuel emit more isoprene, an ozone precursor, than the traditional crops and vegetation they replace.
Too much ozone poses a well-documented risk to human health — 22,000 premature deaths are linked to ground-level ozone exposure in Europe every year. It can also damage food crops including two of the most commercially important food crops in Europe, maize and wheat.
Species of poplar with high biomass yields emit more isoprene than lower-yielding poplar. Planting large areas of higher yield poplar close to densely populated areas could result in increases in ground level ozone, which in turn could increase the number of ozone-related premature deaths.
Because background levels of ground-level ozone across Europe are already high, the study found that even small increases in ozone resulting from the large scale planting of poplar, willow or eucalyptus would add to the likelihood of damaging concentrations occurring.
Professor Nick Hewitt said: “In coming years we can anticipate a rapid expansion in poplar plantations in Europe driven by EU carbon-reduction initiatives. The current focus in policy-making circles and the biomass industry is on maximising yields but this should not be the only consideration. High yielding crops also produce the most isoprene and have the greatest impact on air quality and human health.”
Read more:Â Intensive biofuel planting poses risk to human health
The Latest on: Intensive biofuel planting
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Intensive biofuel planting” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Intensive biofuel planting
- Why is breaking down plant material for biofuels so slow?on May 8, 2024 at 7:13 am
Tracking individual enzymes during the breakdown of cellulose for biofuel production has revealed how several roadblocks slow this process when using plant material that might otherwise go to waste.
- How policy can drive market for biofuelson May 7, 2024 at 12:01 am
Federal policy on biofuels can make or break U.S. grain markets, so farmers need to keep a watchful eye on Washington, D.C.
- Corn to Power Airplanes? Biden Administration Sets a High Bar.on April 30, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Producers of biofuels like ethanol, which could help create a new generation of jet fuel, would have to overhaul their practices to receive tax credits.
- New $60m lab in S’pore to drive R&D in carbon capture, biofuels and hydrogenon April 26, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Transforming Singapore’s energy and chemical sectors will be a priority, says DPM Heng Swee Keat. Read more at straitstimes.com.
- Methane Eating Microbes - A Novel Solution For Greenhouse Gas Mitigationon April 25, 2024 at 7:00 am
Methane is a significant contributor to human-driven greenhouse gas emissions, but there is useful group of microbes that can help because they use methane for food.
- Blue Biofuels Initiates Engineering and Design for Their CTS Commercial Plant Positioned to Produce Ethanol from Cellulosic Materialson April 16, 2024 at 1:00 am
Drawing on successes achieved in their pilot plant, Blue Biofuels remains committed to further enhancing their process, with a focus on catalyst recycling and lignin separation for potential sale.
- Biofuel, solar power plants proposed for Pearl Harbor would demolish historic structureson April 10, 2024 at 5:00 pm
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — The Navy plans to lease out 25 acres on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a pair of biofuel and solar energy plants expected to be operational by 2027. The Navy is now ...
- New plans for biofuel plant in Beddington Lane Suttonon February 1, 2024 at 9:00 pm
French waste management company SUEZ has submitted plans for a biofuel plant on the busy stretch of commercial road in Beddington Lane. However, councillors fear the plant could be detrimental to ...
- Judge inclined to halt Los Angeles biofuel refinery expansion, siding with environmental groupson November 16, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The expansion would increase nitrogen dioxide emissions and add 540 diesel truck trips and 50 railcar trips every day, to and from the plant, bringing in feedstock and taking away biofuel. Judge ...
via Bing News