Composition of particulate matter during a wildfire smoke episode in an urban area

Sparks, Tamara L.; Wagner, Jeff

doi:10.1080/02786826.2021.1895429

Cited by 38 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Most studies have examined measurements of metals in ash after fires or emissions factors of pollutants from certain fuel types, and there are only a handful of papers that have examined concentrations of metals in air quality samples and linked them directly back to infrastructure-destroying wildfires. − One study in Ottawa, Canada did observe elevated lead and antimony resulting from structure fires, consistent with our findings for lead . Further, Sparks and Wagner focused on air emissions from the Camp Fire and found elevated levels of manganese, tin, copper, zinc, nickel, and lead, mostly in the PM 10 size fraction, in wildfire smoke from that event. We observed similar results, with elevated lead, copper, zinc, and, to a lesser extent, nickel in the PM 2.5 size fraction.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Beyond Particulate Matter Mass: Heightened Levels of Lead and Other Pollutants Associated with Destructive Fire Events in California

Boaggio

Byron

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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As the climate warms, wildfire activity is increasing, posing a risk to human health. Studies have reported on particulate matter (PM) in wildfire smoke, yet the chemicals associated with PM have received considerably less attention. Here, we analyzed 13 years (2006–2018) of PM2.5 chemical composition data from monitors in California on smoke-impacted days. Select chemicals (e.g., aluminum and sulfate) were statistically elevated on smoke-impacted days in over half of the years studied. Other chemicals, mostly trace metals harmful to human health (e.g., copper and lead), were elevated during particular fires only. For instance, in 2018, lead was more than 40 times higher on smoke days on average at the Point Reyes monitoring station, due mostly to the Camp Fire, burning approximately 200 km away. There was an association between these metals and the combustion of anthropogenic material (e.g., the burning of houses and vehicles). Although still currently rare, these infrastructure fires are likely becoming more common and can mobilize trace metals in smoke far downwind, at levels generally unseen except in the most polluted areas of the country. We hope a better understanding of the chemicals in wildfire smoke will assist in the communication and reduction of public health risks.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Beyond Particulate Matter Mass: Heightened Levels of Lead and Other Pollutants Associated with Destructive Fire Events in California

Boaggio

Byron

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Analysis of modeled wildfire smoke concentrations from the High Resolution Rapid Refresh Smoke model shows that wildfire smoke was not significantly impacting the area during the study period (see Figure S1). The fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke is dominated by organic carbon, with black carbon making up only about 2–5% by mass. − Residential biomass burning is not common in summer months so these BC sources were likewise not included.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Resolution Modeling and Apportionment of Diesel-Related Contributions to Black Carbon Concentrations

Hamilton

Harley

2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Exposure to diesel-related air pollution, which includes black carbon (BC) as a major component of the particulate matter emitted in engine exhaust, is a known human health hazard. The resulting health burden falls heavily on vulnerable communities located close to major sources including highways, rail yards, and ports. Determination of source contributions to the overall pollution burden is challenging due to collinearity in the exhaust composition profiles for relevant sources including heavy-duty diesel trucks, railroad locomotives, cargo-handling equipment, and marine engines. Additionally, the impact of each source depends not just on the magnitude of emissions but on its location relative to receptors as well as on meteorology. We modeled source-resolved BC concentrations in West Oakland, California, at a high (150 m) spatial resolution using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. The ability of the model to predict hourly and 24 h average BC concentrations is evaluated for a 100-day period in summer 2017 when BC was measured at 100 sites within the community. We find that a community monitoring site is representative of population-weighted average BC exposure in the community. Major contributing sources to BC in West Oakland include on-road diesel trucks (44 ± 5%) and three off-road diesel sources: ocean-going vessels (19 ± 1%), railroad locomotives (16 ± 2%), and harbor craft such as tugboats and ferries (11 ± 1%).

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“…Some studies using electron microscopy have shown similar Ca‐ and Mg‐bearing particles in coarse (PM 10‐2.5 and PM 10 ) BB particles (Sparks & Wagner, 2021; Wagner et al., 2012). Others have reported Ca‐ and Mg‐containing aerosol particles in BB samples, similar to the fine ash‐bearing particles in the current study, but without identifying their origin (Li et al., 2003; Yokelson et al., 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Fine Ash‐Bearing Particles as a Major Aerosol Component in Biomass Burning Smoke

et al. 2022

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Biomass burning (BB) events are occurring globally with increasing frequency, and their emissions are having more impacts on human health and climate. Large ash particles are recognized as a BB product with major influences on soil and water environments. However, fine-ash particles, which have diameters smaller than several microns and characteristic morphologies and compositions (mainly Ca and Mg carbonates), have not yet been explicitly considered as a major BB aerosol component either in field observations or climate models. This study measured BB aerosol samples using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ion chromatography during the Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality (FIREX-AQ) campaign. We show that significant amounts of fine ash-bearing particles are transported >100 km from their fire sources. Our environmental chamber experiments suggest that they can act as cloud condensation and ice nuclei. We also found considerable amounts of fine ash-bearing particles in the TEM samples collected during previous campaigns (Biomass Burning Observation Project and Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations). These ash particles are commonly mixed with organic matter and make up ∼8% and 5% of BB smoke by number and mass, respectively, in samples collected during the FIREX-AQ campaign. The measured ash-mass concentrations are approximately five times and six times greater than those of BB black carbon and potassium, respectively, scaling to an estimated global emission of 11.6 Tg yr −1 with a range of 8.8-16.3 Tg yr −1 . Better characterization and constraints on these fine ash-bearing particles will improve BB aerosol measurements and strengthen assessments of BB impacts on human health and climate.Plain Language Summary Biomass burning (BB) events occur globally and impact climate and human health. Ash particles larger than ∼10 μm are well known as the main products of BB that contaminate the soil and water near the source regions. On the other hand, ash particles having diameters smaller than several microns, which are inhalable and can be transported long distances, are not yet recognized as a major aerosol component of BB smoke. This study reveals that such fine ash-bearing particles are abundant in number (∼8%) and mass (∼5%) within BB smoke. The global emission of fine ash particles is estimated to be 11.6 Tg yr −1 with a range of 8.8-16.3 Tg yr −1 . By considering their abundance and properties, we will strengthen assessments of BB impacts on human health and climate.

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Composition of particulate matter during a wildfire smoke episode in an urban area

Cited by 38 publications

References 59 publications

Beyond Particulate Matter Mass: Heightened Levels of Lead and Other Pollutants Associated with Destructive Fire Events in California

Beyond Particulate Matter Mass: Heightened Levels of Lead and Other Pollutants Associated with Destructive Fire Events in California

High-Resolution Modeling and Apportionment of Diesel-Related Contributions to Black Carbon Concentrations

Fine Ash‐Bearing Particles as a Major Aerosol Component in Biomass Burning Smoke

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