Net calorific values and mineral concentration of thirteen tree and shrub species in Ghana

Obtaining accurate and reliable information on biomass characteristics of tree species is important as it aids in selecting plant species that optimize fuel production for bioenergy. In this study, the net calorific value (NCV) and mineral concentration of 13 plant species selected from the Guinea savanna ecological zone of Ghana were investigated. Significant variation in NCV across the species components was found, with branch wood from most of the species exhibiting higher values compared to stem wood or the bark tissues. Accurate and reliable information on plant biomass could therefore be obtained through plant partitioning. High mobility of Zn and Pb after uptake was observed in the studied species. Apart from Cd whose concentrations in the species exceeded the recommended levels, no toxic levels were observed for the rest of the heavy metals. Thus, the major drawbacks in the use of the species as biomass resource are their higher concentrations of Cd and to some extent, higher ash contents. On account of the relatively high NCV, low ash content and low mineral concentrations, D. microcarpum, and C. febrifuga were found to be most suitable candidates for biomass production and subsequent bioenergy optimization in the Guinea savanna of Ghana.