Sustainability-(w)

M.Garmon-

“LAND USE CHANGE EFFECTS FROM CELLULOSIC AND GRAIN ETHANOL PRODUCTION UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE”, Adler, Paul; US Dept. of Agriculture, 10/13/2006; http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=199307 This research study explored the net effect of greenhouse emissions during corn and wheat based ethanol production. The production of ethanol requires heavy machinery use, which causes greenhouse emissions. The net effect was a 35% drop in greenhouse gas with ethanol and over 100% drop from switchgrass. “Ethanol and co-products from cellulosic biomass”, US Dept. of Agriculture, Weimer, Paul; 10/8/2006; [|www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=202069] This research project was submitted to the International Sugar Journal. Producing ethanol by fermentation of cellulosic materials is much more difficult than producing it from corn or sugar cane. The primary limitation to economic conversion of cellulose to ethanol is the high cost of cellulose-splitting enzymes. “Sustainable Production of Crop Residue as a Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock: REAP ¿ Renewable Energy Assessment Project”, US Dept. of Agriculture, Jaradat, A.A.; 10/10/2006; http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=200974 This article concerns the effects of ethanol production on soil. Soil organic carbon depletion is an issue. If SOC levels are too low, the soil is useless for production. “BUTANOL PRODUCTION FROM AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES: IMPACT OF DEGRADATION PRODUCTS ON CLOSTRIDIUM BEIJERINCKII GROWTH AND BUTANOL FERMENTATION”, US Dept. of Agriculture, Research Project: Cost-Effective Bioprocess Technologies for Production of Biofuels, Submitted to the Peer Reviewed Journal, Qureshi, Nasib, 1/29/2007; http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=198419 The aim of this project was to produce butanol from corn fiber which is sold for $.02/lb. The fermentation process has inhibitors, which are still being explored. If the process of conversion of corn fiber to butanol becomes commercial, 2 billion pounds per year of butanol would be produced from approximately 9 billions pounds per year of corn fiber. Corn fiber will thus become more valuable. This process could benefit U.S. corn growers and create employment opportunities. “BIOCONVERSION OF WHEAT STRAW TO BUTANOL (A SUPERIOR LIQUID FUEL): SIMULTANEOUS SACCHARIFICATION, FERMENTATION, AND PRODUCT RECOVERY”, US Dept. of Agriculture, Qureshi, N, 5/2/2007; http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=205373 Wheat straw was successfully used in the production of butanol. Acetone-butanol, a byproduct of production did not appear to inhibit the final stage of production.