Emission factors for open and domestic biomass burning for use in atmospheric models

Abstract

Biomass burning (BB) is the second largest source of trace gases and the largest source of primary fine carbonaceous particles in the global troposphere. Many recent BB studies have provided new emission factor (EF) measurements. This is especially true for non methane organic compounds (NMOC), which influence secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and ozone formation. New EF should improve regional to global BB emissions estimates and therefore, the input for atmospheric models. In this work we present an up-to-date, comprehensive tabulation of EF for known pyrogenic species based on measurements made in smoke that has cooled to ambient temperature, but not yet undergone significant photochemical processing. All the emission factors are converted to one standard form (g compound emitted per kg dry biomass burned) using the carbon mass balance method and they are categorized into 14 fuel or vegetation types. We compile a large number of measurements of biomass consumption per unit area for important fire types and summarize several recent estimates of global biomass consumption by the major types of biomass burning. Biomass burning terminology is defined to promote consistency. Post emission processes are discussed to provide a context for the emission factor concept within overall atmospheric chemistry and also highlight the potential for rapid changes relative to the scale of some models or remote sensing products. Recent work shows that individual biomass fires emit significantly more gas-phase NMOC than previously thought and that including additional NMOC can improve photochemical model performance. A detailed global estimate suggests that BB emits at least 400 Tg yr<sup>−1</sup> of gas-phase NMOC, which is about 4 times larger than most previous estimates. Selected recent results (e.g. measurements of HONO and the BB tracers HCN and CH<sub>3</sub>CN) are highlighted and key areas requiring future research are briefly discussed

Carbon Dioxide in the Free Troposphere and Boundary Layer at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory

“…We can also estimate the CO 2 enhancement due to fires by using the previously mentioned enhancement ratio. For a CO 2 /CO enhancement ratio of 12 (typical temperate forest values given by Akagi et al (2011)) and a CO enhancement of 250 ppbv, we estimate a wildfire enhancement of CO 2 of 3 ppmv, which is similar to our calculated value.…”

“…This gives a CO 2 /CO enhancement ratio of 8.9. Wildfires have average CO 2 /CO enhancement ratios of approximately 5-20 for all fires, or approximately 12 for temperate forest fires (Akagi et al, 2011). Thus, our enhancement ratio of 8.9 is similar to the ratio for temperate fires.…”

Wireless sensors linked to climate financing for globally affordable clean cooking

“…We do not include the mitigation of methane due to lack of field data for the stove used in this study. However, this is not a major issue since methane mitigation effects are only 10% to 15% of that of the CO 2 mitigation 27 .…”

Production of molecularly imprinted polymer particles with amide-decorated cavities for CO 2 capture using membrane emulsification/suspension polymerisation

“…Currently, 6 post-combustion carbon capture by amine scrubbing is the most established technology for 7 the removal of CO 2 from flue gases [4]. However, amine solutions are corrosive and degrade 8 into toxic products after repetitive regeneration cycles at elevated temperatures [5,6]. In 9 addition, amine scrubbing systems exhibit a low specific interfacial area and require high 10 regeneration energy, which can reduce energy output of the plant by 25-40% [7,8].…”

“…Capture of CO 2 from 4 large point sources and sequestration in geological formations is considered as the most 5 viable short-term solution for reducing the level of CO 2 in the atmosphere [3]. Currently, 6 post-combustion carbon capture by amine scrubbing is the most established technology for 7 the removal of CO 2 from flue gases [4]. However, amine solutions are corrosive and degrade 8 into toxic products after repetitive regeneration cycles at elevated temperatures [5,6].…”