 |
NARSTO Workshop on Innovative Methods for Emission Inventory Development and Evaluation University of Texas, Austin October 14-17, 2003 |
 |
BIOmass Burning Emission Estimates using SEARCH Measurements
Eric S. Edgerton
Atmospheric Res. & Analysis, Inc., Cary, NC
John J. Jansen
Southern Company, Birmingham, AL
Biomass burning is an important source of atmospheric particles and gases in many parts of the world. Extensive burning occurs in the southeastern U.S. during fall and winter, both as a source of heat and also as a means of disposal for accumulated stocks of carbonaceous material. Relatively large fires, which can last several days or longer, provide opportunities to measure combustion products and to gain an understanding of emissions for a range of particles and gases.
SEARCH is a long-term research program investigating spatial and temporal variability of fine particulate matter, and gases across the southeastern U.S. The SEARCH network includes 8 research sites in four rural-urban pairs. Each site is equipped with an array of equipment to measure meteorological variables and trace gases (CO, NO, NO2, HNO3, NOy and SO2) fine particulate mass, elemental carbon, ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate with 1-minute temporal resolution; CO2, fine particulate organic carbon and total carbon with hourly time resolution.
This paper uses data from SEARCH to estimate emissions ratios for carbon (CO2, elemental carbon, organic carbon), nitrogen (NO, NOx, particulate nitrate and ammonium) and sulfur (SO2 and particulate sulfate) in several biomass-burning events. Emissions ratios are calculated relative to CO, since this is a relatively stable tracer species and because it is measured with high sensitivity and frequency. Resulting emission ratios are compared across events and then with non-biomass sources (e.g., urban and point source plumes) to evaluate robustness and uniqueness of signatures.
Similarities and differences between observed ratios and those from other types of biomass burning (e.g., rain forest and savannah) are discussed.