The production of one tonne (t) of phytomass in dry matter (DM) of sugar cane assimilates at least 0.42 t in carbon (C) which corresponds to 1.54 t of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This work aimed to make a survey of the quantity of phytomass from sugar cane produced in 1 ha annually, and also to examine the total C fixed and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), in CO2 equivalent as a consequence of nitrogen fertilization, burning of phytomass at harvest and the oxidation of fossil fuels during production, harvest, and transport of the sugar cane to the industrial plant. Based on the analysis of data, it was concluded that by harvesting the sugar cane without burning, the farmer will not emit 0.286 t ha-1 year-1 of particulate matter, 13,53 t ha-1 year-1 in eqCO2 of other gases. This will also assimilate carbon in the phytomass, generating an environmental active of 52,50 t ha-1 year-1 of eqCO2. By adding up the total fixation and the reduction of emissions, the mitigation will total 66,03 t ha-1 year-1 of eqCO2.
Phytomass; equivalence in carbon dioxide; sustainability
