Light absorption and chemical composition of brown carbon produced from burning of selected biofuels
Submitter
Laskin, Alexander — Purdue University
Area of research
Aerosol Properties
Journal Reference
Science
Biomass burning organic aerosols (BBOA) from wildfires and prescribed burns vary in composition based on biofuel type and undergo complex atmospheric transformations, significantly affecting air quality, climate, and atmospheric chemistry. This study characterizes smoldering-phase BBOA emissions from selected biofuels in controlled laboratory experiments to better understand their atmospheric impacts.
Impact
This study provided a comprehensive analysis of BBOA molecular characteristics and its atmospheric behavior, introducing new tools for understanding and managing the atmospheric impacts of biomass burning. The methodologies presented enable biofuel-specific emission profiling and systematic testing of real-world BBOA samples.
Summary
Our study examined how different types of biomass burning affect air quality by analyzing the particles they release. We developed a new method to understand the optical and chemical properties of these particles and found that their behavior changes significantly as they age in the atmosphere. For example, particles near the source are much more fluid than those further away, which become more solid-like and last longer in the atmosphere. Our findings helped predict the environmental effects of biomass burning and inform management practices, especially in light of changing climate conditions.