In south-central Chile, wood stoves have been identified as an important source of air pollution in populated areas. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Chilean oak (Nothofagus oblique), and mimosa (Acacia dealbata) were burned in a single-chamber slow-combustion wood stove at a controlled testing facility located at the University of Concepción, Chile. In each experiment, 2.7–3.1 kg of firewood were combusted while continuously monitoring temperature, exhaust gases, burn rate, and collecting particulate matter samples in Teflon filters under isokinetic conditions for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and levoglucosan analyses. Mean particulate matter emission factors were 2.03, 4.06, and 3.84 g/kg dry wood for eucalyptus, oak, and mimosa, respectively. The emission factors were inversely correlated with combustion efficiency. The mean emission factors of the sums of 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particle phases were 1472.5, 2134.0, and 747.5 μg/kg for eucalyptus, oak, and mimosa, respectively. Fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, and chrysene were present in the particle phase in higher proportions compared with other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that were analyzed. Mean levoglucosan emission factors were 854.9, 202.3, and 328.0 mg/kg for eucalyptus, oak, and mimosa, respectively. Since the emissions of particulate matter and other pollutants were inversely correlated with combustion efficiency, implementing more efficient technologies would help to reduce air pollutant emissions from wood combustion. Implications: Residential wood burning has been identified as a significant source of air pollution in populated areas. Local wood species are combusted for home cooking and heating, which releases several toxic air pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Air pollutant emissions depend on the type of wood and the technology and operational conditions of the wood stove. A better understanding of emissions from local wood species and wood stove performance would help to identify better biomass fuels and wood stove technologies in order to reduce air pollution from residential wood burning.

In this study, a correction was developed for the aethalometer to measure real-time black carbon (BC) concentrations in an environment dominated by fresh diesel soot. The relationship between the a...

The contribution of emissions from industrial sources located in various districts of the Concepción Metropolitan Area, Chile, are analyzed in order to control the concentrations of fine particulate matter using cost-effective alternatives. The results show that regulation by economic instruments or command and control should be complemented by cleaner fuels such as natural gas. In addition, the availability of natural gas at low prices is much more important for the reduction of total costs than the type of regulation selected.

The high level of industrial activity in the Bio Bio Region has led to local air pollution problems, due to the high emission levels of particulate matter. The feasibility of bringing liquefied natural gas to the region is under study. This paper compares a system of tradable emissions permits and command and control type regulation for industrial sources considering two alternatives for reducing PM10 emissions: Changing the fuel used to natural gas and incorporating air pollution control technologies. It was found that given certain fuel prices, the industries will likely change to natural gas without the need for regulation. Moreover, it was found the maximum price that could be paid whilst retaining the economic attractiveness of this alternative as a cost-effective option for emissions reductions.

Economic and population growth has increased the demand for freshwater worldwide, generating pressure on the environment and creating conflicts among users. Water markets have emerged as a solution for managing this resource, and Chile has been a pioneer in implementing this approach. However, most Chilean water markets are inefficient due to incomplete information, the poor flexibility of the water distribution system, and high transaction costs. This study analyzes the Ñuble River water market and estimates the economic and social costs of its inefficiencies through a methodology based on the marginal profitability of water, which simulates the operation of a perfect market for the Ñuble River irrigation system. Net benefit losses from market inefficiencies were estimated at 7.6 million dollars annually, which is equivalent to a 25% increase in the net returns of the current river water distribution strategy. Losses of economic benefits are even greater as the availability of water flow decreases. This is important considering that in the last decade the water flows of the Ñuble River have decreased by more than 30% compared to their historical average.