Molecular composition and the impact of fuel moisture content on fresh primary organic aerosol emissions during laboratory combustion of Ponderosa pine needles.
Mohammed Jaoui, Shawn P Urbanski, Russell W Long, Matthew S Landis
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Pine needles represent an important fuel source in coniferous forest systems in the western United States. During forest fires, they can be easily ignited and help sustain flame on the ground. In this study, a comprehensive chemical analysis was conducted to examine oxygenated organic compounds (OOCs) present in PM2.5 formed from burning dry and moist ponderosa pine needles (PPN) in the presence and absence of fine woody debris (FWD). The effect of fuel moisture content (FMC), a key parameter that influence smoke formation, has not received much attention. Therefore, we also investigated the effect of FMC on PM2.5 formation and its composition. Thirty three experiments were conducted at the US Forest Service Fire Science Laboratory. PM2.5 was collected onto 47 mm Teflon filters, and silylated extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. More than fifty OOCs were identified, including levoglucosan and mannosan; n-dodecanoic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid; dihydroabietic acid, and dehydroabietic acid; and a series of intermediate volatile and semivolatile organic compounds. Mass spectra of a wide variety of compounds in electron and chemical ionization mode are provided. Most of these OOCs were identified in this study for the first time in PPN aerosol, although some were previously reported in pine wood and other biomass burning aerosol. Our results show significant changes in the composition and abundance of particles depending on the amount and type of PPN burned. When compared with dry PPN condition, moist PPN showed decreased emissions of PM2.5 and OOCs, due likely to the presence of water in the system that partially suppressed the production of OOCs. Incorporating pine needles in atmospheric models as a contributor to smoke particles generated during forest fires is an essential step towards reducing the current uncertainties regarding the influence of these aerosols on chemical/air mass characteristics, regional meteorology, and the climate.
期刊介绍:
Environmental Chemistry publishes manuscripts addressing the chemistry of the environment (air, water, earth, and biota), including the behaviour and impacts of contaminants and other anthropogenic disturbances. The scope encompasses atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry and biogeochemistry, climate change, marine and freshwater chemistry, polar chemistry, fire chemistry, soil and sediment chemistry, and chemical aspects of ecotoxicology. Papers that take an interdisciplinary approach, while advancing our understanding of the linkages between chemistry and physical or biological processes, are particularly encouraged.
While focusing on the publication of important original research and timely reviews, the journal also publishes essays and opinion pieces on issues of importance to environmental scientists, such as policy and funding.
Papers should be written in a style that is accessible to those outside the field, as the readership will include - in addition to chemists - biologists, toxicologists, soil scientists, and workers from government and industrial institutions. All manuscripts are rigorously peer-reviewed and professionally copy-edited.
Environmental Chemistry is published with the endorsement of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Academy of Science.