Estimating the Nitrogen Footprint of Coffee Beans Production in Brazil

• Main Authors: Wei-Ting Liu, 劉葦庭
• Other Authors: Ming-Chien Su
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/rga248

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 自然資源與環境學系 === 107 === Coffee beans are important crops in world trade. Due to the advent of chemical fertilizers and new technology, humans have overcome the limitations of environmental conditions and produced more coffee beans. In order to maximize the crop production, farmers input more nitrogen fertilizer than is needed by the plants to ensure they can absorb the most nutrients. Huge demand for the coffee beans stimulates the producers to increase their production to export. These phenomenon are accompanied by excessive reactive nitrogen (Nr, all nitrogen species except N2) loss into the natural environment, a large amount of by-product waste and water pollution. Inappropriate management and waste disposal will lead to environmental pollution and human health risks. The purpose of the nitrogen footprint is to estimate the loss of Nr. Brazil is the world major coffee beans producer, with the main producing areas located in the southeastern part of the country. The methodology used in this research quantifies the nitrogen footprint per 1,000 kg of washed Arabica coffee beans in southeastern Brazil. The results show three nitrogen footprint pathways; traditional coffee bean production, pulp recycle with sewage treatment and the intercropping of legumes. The nitrogen footprint results were 217.46, 200.41 and 165.70 kg N per 1,000 kg coffee beans respectively. The main nitrogen loss in the production happened in the plantation period, accounting for 81% of the total nitrogen footprint, followed by beans roasting (8%), beans processing (6%), wastewater discharge (3%), and finally the energy use (2%). From the results, the most effective way to reduce the nitrogen footprint is fertilizer management. From the results and previous studies there is still a great potential to reduce the nitrogen footprint in the farm management. The efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer or intercropping with leguminous and shade trees will have positive influence of reducing nitrogen footprint. These acts can also maintain soil health and provide animal habitat.