Exceptional emissions of NH<sub>3</sub> and HCOOH in the 2010 Russian wildfires

Abstract

Abstract. In July 2010, several hundred forest and peat fires broke out across central Russia during its hottest summer on record. Here, we analyze these wildfires using observations of the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). Carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia (NH3) and formic acid (HCOOH) total columns are presented for the year 2010. Maximum total columns were found to be one order (for CO and HCOOH) and two orders (for NH3) of magnitude larger than typical background values. The temporal evolution of NH3 and HCOOH enhancement ratios relative to CO are presented. Evidence of secondary formation of HCOOH is found, with enhancement ratios exceeding reported emission ratios in fresh plumes. We estimate the total emitted masses for the period July–August 2010 over the center of western Russia; they are 19–33 Tg (CO), 0.7–2.6 Tg (NH3) and 0.9–3.9 Tg (HCOOH). For NH3 and HCOOH, these quantities are comparable to what is emitted in the course of a whole year by all extratropical forest fires.

Worldwide spatiotemporal atmospheric ammonia (NH3 ) columns variability revealed by satellite

“…The stronger peak in August 2010, also clearly seen in the JJA distributions, is linked with the exceptional fires that occurred around Moscow that summer [Konovalov et al, 2011]. It emitted large amounts of NH 3 , which were transported to Central Europe [R'Honi et al, 2013;Van Damme et al, 2015].…”

Long-term increases in soil carbon due to ecosystem fertilization by atmospheric nitrogen deposition demonstrated by regional-scale modelling and observations

“…While much smaller estimates of NH 3 emission from this source were supported by these measurements as compared with ref. 29, it is recognized that burning sources of NH 3 emission remain a major source of uncertainty 30, 59 .…”

APIFLAME v1.0: high-resolution fire emission model and application to the Euro-Mediterranean region

“…These events correspond to clusters of fires that burn simultaneously and propagate rapidly due to critical meteorological conditions -hot and dry conditions with strong winds (Pereira et al, 2005) -and are thus particularly difficult to control. During large wildfire events, such as the Portuguese fires in 2003, the Greek fires in 2007 or the Russian fires in 2010, contributions from fires emissions were comparable to anthropogenic activities but concentrated in time and space (Hodzic et al, 2007;Turquety et al, 2009;Hodnebrog et al, 2012;Konovalov et al, 2011;R'Honi et al, 2013). It is critical to evaluate their impact, as the large fires often occur close to densely populated areas, and during hot and dry summers, in conditions already favorable for the development of photochemical pollution episodes.…”