Thermogravimetric analysis of Mediterranean plant species

Twelve dominant Mediterranean plant species were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in air medium, in order to study their thermal degradation process and assess their potential combustibility as natural fuels. Statistically significant differences were observed among the values of the pyrolytic parameters of the species analyzed. The mean volatilization rate values resulted in meaningful ranking of the species into vegetation types of similar combustibility, as verified by observations during actual wildfires. The use of TGA as a method for assessing the combustibility of individual plant species seems justified.