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TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- 欧美高清 partnered with Florida A&M University last year to study the potential environmental impacts of preharvest sugarcane burning on air quality in the Florida Everglades. The tests were conducted in several communities within this area, with special effort made to ensure that representation of communities evaluated were comprehensive, from April to September of last year. Results of the study showed the overall air quality remained within established acceptable limits and were comparable to some of the best air quality observed within the state.
欧美高清 and Florida A&M University will outline the results in detail during a community meeting on Tuesday, April 29, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Lawrence E. Will Museum in Belle Glade, Florida. The goal of the , which has been released, was to understand the ecological effects by monitoring the air quality in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of south Florida, identifying exactly what鈥檚 in the air and engaging with local community members to better understand the impacts on the residents as well as agricultural industry in the Glades.
鈥溑访栏咔� and Florida A&M University closely monitored the air quality in the Everglades and assessed the pros and cons of preharvest burning, specifically in regard to the regional economic and environmental impacts on the citizens of Palm Beach and Hendry Counties,鈥� said Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Tuskegee鈥檚 Dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Nutrition Sciences. 鈥淲e paid special attention to ensure that members of all of the communities in the region were represented and visited sugarcane production sites associated with U.S. Sugar.鈥�
Preharvest burning offers the operational, agronomic and environmental advantages, yet it has drawn criticism in that it generates a complex mixture of particulates. Florida鈥檚 preharvest sugarcane burning is carefully controlled through extensive permits and weather-based restrictions, making it one of the most regulated agricultural practices in the country; however, some have raised concerns regarding air quality and its potential impacts.
鈥淧reharvest burning is a traditional harvesting method used in manual and mechanical harvesting in different regions because it improves soil health, pest deterrence, and a reduction in the weight of the harvested crop, leading to lower transport costs,鈥� said Dr. Bolden-Tiller. 鈥淏ecause less soil and debris are being transported to the factory. There are also reductions in fuel consumption because less material is transported to the factory and less water is needed for washing the crop before milling.鈥�
Preharvest burning also lowers soil compaction and helps maintain an optimum bulk density as well as lessening the impact on root growth of the crop, as well as significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of transportation, that is more crop per load with fewer trips.
鈥淥ur objective was to conduct research that addressed environmental concerns, especially those associated with air quality, to include the presence, source, and type of particulate matter,鈥� she said.鈥�漃reharvest burning in the sugarcane industry requires an intricate balance where agribusiness not only supports the local economy but also fosters an environment that must be thoughtfully managed by not only the industry but also government (local, state and federal) with the involvement of community members.鈥�
鈥淎t Florida A&M University, we are committed to placing the community first by grounding our engagement in rigorous, science-based research,鈥� said G. Dale Wesson, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences and Director of Land Grant Programs at Florida A&M University. 鈥淭hrough our collaboration with 欧美高清, we actively contributed to the analysis and interpretation of air quality data in the Everglades Agricultural Area. We are proud to advance research that empowers local communities and promotes sustainable growth across the region.鈥�
Dr. Mark A. Brown, Tuskegee President and CEO was pleased with the university鈥檚 work in this area.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud of how our CAENS Team is invited to participate in studies around the world, including this important study of the environmental impact of burning sugarcane in South Florida,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is important to get this right as, by some studies, the sugar cane industry produces up to 19,201 jobs and $4.7 billion in the state of Florida. As is our history and current focus, once again, Tuskegee finds itself deeply involved in using the latest in scientific techniques to solve the nation鈥檚 most complex problems!鈥�
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