AAAR 36th Annual Conference October 16 - October 20, 2017 Raleigh Convention Center Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Abstract View
Climate Relevant Aerosol Properties from Biomass Burning
SAMANTHA BIXLER, Christian Carrico, Manvendra Dubey, Allison Aiken, Thom Rahn, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Abstract Number: 412 Working Group: Carbonaceous Aerosols in the Atmosphere
Abstract The atmospheric role of biomass burning emissions has substantially increased with continued warming and drying in the Southwestern United States. To better understand biomass burning aerosol properties, we conducted a laboratory study of smoke emissions focusing on invasive species and Southwestern US fuels. Aerosol physical and optical measurements included a custom controlled relative humidity (RH) nephelometry system to measure light scattering as a function of RH. To detect aerosol hygroscopic response controlled RH nephelometry relies upon the direct measurement of light scattering using two nephelometers—one at dry conditions and one at controlled high relative humidity conditions. Lab experiments with selected Southwestern US fuels examined the influence of fuel type and combustion conditions on emissions. Aerosol hygroscopicity was strongly linked to the fuel’s chemical composition which in turn drives smoke composition. For example, invasive species with high inorganic salt contents had much stronger water uptake than native coniferous species. Fire phase, flaming or smoldering, also impacted the water uptake for a given fuel, with flaming conditions enhancing hygroscopicity and smoldering conditions diminishing water uptake. Several ambient events during summer in Los Alamos yielded interesting observations regarding local air quality impacts from biomass and other combustion sources. Episodes examined include smoke from the Dog Head Fire near Albuquerque, NM, and Independence Day fireworks near White Rock, NM. Results of this study enable the development of a framework for predicting water uptake and optical properties of emissions from biomass combustion. Through the further understanding of aerosol behaviors we can better understand and predict impacts from biomass burning on atmospheric aerosol properties.