Air Quality Impacts from Prescribed Burning

Karsten Baumann,

Sangil Lee, Mei Zheng,

Venus Dookwah,

Michael Chang, and

Ted Russell

Funded in part by DoD/EPA/State P2 Partnership Small Grants Program

Clean Air Act

EndangeredSpecies Act

The Conflict

Issues on Local to Global ScalesIn the continental U.S. prescribed burns and forest fires contribute ~37 % to the

total direct fine PM emissions of ~1 Mio t per year*

* Nizich et al., EPA Report 454/R-00-002 (NTIS PB2000-108054), RTP, NC, 2000

Effects on• Health

• Visibility• Air Quality

• Climate

Do prescribed burns reduce the risk

of wild fires?

To what extent does prescribed burning impact local and regional air quality?

VOCs

PMNOx

O3, SOA

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA):Organic compounds, some highly oxygenated, residing in the

aerosol phase as a function of atmospheric reactions that occur in either gas or particle phases.

SOA formation mainly depends on:Emissions & forming potential of precursors

aromatics (BTX, aldehydes, carbonyls)terpenes (mono-, sesqui-)other biogenics (aldehydes, alcohols)

Presence of other initiating reactantsO3, OH, NO3, sunlight, acid catalysts

Mechanisms (with half hr to few hr yields):Gas-to-particle conversion/partitioning

e.g. terpene oxidationHeterogeneous reactions

aldehydes via hydration and polymerization, forming hemiacetal/acetal in presence of alcohols

Particle-phase reactionsacetal formation catalytically accelerated by particle sulfuric

acid (Jang and Kamens, ES&T, 2001)

Mas

s Em

issi

on R

ate

(g/k

g of

bio

mas

s bur

ned)

0123456789

101112131415

Carbonyls Cyclic compounds Branched Alkanes n-Alkynes Aromatics n-Alkanes n-Alkenes

Pinu

s tae

da

Tsug

a hete

roph

ylla

Pinu

s pon

dero

sa

MHFF

FPSP

WGLP

Biomass Litter CompositesMHFF… mixed hardwood (oak) forest foliageFPSP… Florida palmetto & slash pineWGLP… wiregrass & longleaf pine

BUT also Primary PM Emissions from Foliar Fuel CombustionHays, Geron et al., ES&T 36, 2281-2295, 2002

Other OrganicCarbon{SOA}30%

WoodCombustion

39%

MeatCooking

6%

VegetativeDetritus

2%

GasolineExhaust

3%

Diesel Exhaust 20%

Source Contributions to Organic Carbon (OC)in Ambient PM2.5

Pensacola, FL October 1999Measured average [PM2.5] = 16.6 g m-3

[OC] = 4.6 g m-3

Zheng et al., ES&T 2002

FAQS Observations: Regional Problem of PM2.5

34.4

34.2

34.0

33.8

33.6

33.4

33.2

33.0

32.8

32.6

32.4

32.2

32.0

-85.5 -85.0 -84.5 -84.0 -83.5 -83.0 -82.5 -82.0

Atlanta

FAQS measurement sites GA-EPD monitoring sites coal burning power plants point sources w/ CO:NOx > 1

20x20 km

Period 2001+ 02MAY-OCT NOV-APR

N

E

S

W9 18

µg m-316.7 15.5Macon SBP

N

E

S

W9 18

µg m-3

Columbus OLC 16.6 19.3

N

E

S

W9 18

µg m-3

15.8 13.4 Griffin

N

E

S

W9 18

µg m-315.0 14.2Augusta RP

Seasonal Differences in Diurnal Cycles: O3 & PM2.5

00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00 00:00

Time (EST)

WINTER HALF NOV-APRMac '01/'02 '00/'01Col '01/'02 '00/'01Aug '01/'02 '00/'01

WINTER HALF NOV-APRGrif '01 Tift '01Mac '01 '00Col '01 '00Aug '01 '00

PM2.5 Sources Near Columbus Driving Nighttime Averages in Winter 2001/02

Winter

25

20

15

10

5

0

PM2.

5 (

g m

-3)

00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00 00:00

Time (EST)

SUMMER HALF MAY-OCTGrif '02Mac '02 '01 '00Col '02 '01 '00Aug '02 '01 '00

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

O3

(ppb

v)SUMMER HALF MAY-OCTTift '02 '01Grif '02 '01Mac '02 '01

'00Col '02 '01

'00Aug '02 '01

'00

Summer

N

E

S

W10 20 µg m-3

PM2.5 Eceedance at Columbus-OLC near Fort Benning for SE winds in Winter 2001/02

Despite regional character of PM2.5, local PM sources on military installations dominant in winter half.

PM2.5 Exceedances at Columbus-OLC in Oct-Nov 2001

0.00

Win

d B

arb

40

30

20

10

0WS

(m/s

) T m

ax-T

min

(C) 80

60

40

20

0

8hm

ax O3 (ppbv)

Columbus GIT OLCEPD AirptEPD Crlab

4

68

10

2

4

68

100

2

4

24h

- PM

2.5

(µg

m-3

)

10/21/01 10/31/01 11/10/01 11/20/01 11/30/01 12/10/01Time (EST)

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Ft Benning (acr burnt)

Griffin MaconAugusta Columbus

wild firesprescribed

Objectives and Outlook

• In this initial pilot study, establish understanding of the direct and indirect impact of current burn practices on sub-regional Air Quality.

• Lay foundation for more comprehensive and better focused Phase II Study to optimize burn practices toward minimum AQ impact.

• Create results of general applicability for the benefit of LMBs on other military installations in the SE-US and beyond.

• Learn lessons that help create and implement new revised land management strategies for the benefit of other agencies and institutions that face often times devastating wild fires in other parts of the Nation.

OLC site upgradeResearch site at

Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center

upgraded for PM source apportionment and in situ

gas phase sampling

3’

4’

a/c

11’

8’

Stair step

4’ 14’

Guy wired8m Towertilt down

10’ Gate

45’ x 40’ Fence

N

10’ x 12’ Shelter

4 additional 20 A circuit breakers

33’ x 7’ level Platform~ 1’ above ground

4 quadruple outlets on individual breakers

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

20-Ja

n21

-Jan

5-Feb

6-Feb

10-M

ar

24-M

ar

27-M

ar

13-A

pr

15-A

pr

17-A

pr

29-A

pr

29-M

ay

Period

PM2.

5 (

g m

-3)

[K+] [Na+] [Ca2+] [NH4+] [Cl-] [NO3-] [SO4-2] EC Acetate Formate Oxalate OC OOE

OLC Preliminary PM2.5 Mass & CompositionIndividual Burn Events and Acres Burned

January May 2003

No-Burn Background

937 acres

1256 acres

3770 acres 4006 acres504 251

Burning early in the season seems advantageous

OLC Preliminary PM2.5 Mass & CompositionOM/OC & [O3-max] Averages per Burn EventJanuary May 2003

0

5

10

15

20

25

Jan

Feb

Mar

, 1st

Mar

, 2nd

Apr, 1

st

Apr, 2

ndM

ay

Period

PM (

g m

-3)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

O3 (ppbv)

Others [NH4+] [NO3-] [SO4-2] EC LOA OC OOE Max O3

OM/OC 1.9 1.5 2.2 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.0

Higher PM mass and OM/OC with higher [O3] later in the season

PreliminaryResultsMarch

2003

21%

5%

3%

4%

30%

29%

2%6%

Average mass = 15 +-4 g m-3

Period 10-11 March

50

40

30

20

10

0

PM2.

5 (µ

g/m

3 ) N

O N

Oy

O3

(ppb

v)

00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00

Time (EST)

3-9

00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00

Time (EST)

10-162671acres

00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00

Time (EST)

17-23

00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00

Time (EST)

600

500

400

300

200

100

CO

(ppbv)24-303770acres

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

RH

(%)

PAR

(W/m

2 ) W

D (d

egN

)

3-9 10-16 17-23

20

15

10

5

0

air T (C) W

S (m/s)

24-30

Progressively increasing

fine PM mass and organics

fraction correlate with increased

temperature, solar radiation,

and O3, indicating increased oxidizing

potential, hence formation of SOA.

17%

2%

7%

2%

43%

24%

4% 1%

SO4=NO3-NH4+ECOCOOEcalcLOAOthers

Average mass = 24 +-5 g m-3

Period 24-27 March

Preliminary VOC Results: March 2nd PeriodCarbon Balance (ppb/ppm)

Mar-25 sampled O15 (526 acres) Mar-26 (not sampled) Mar-27 & 28 sampled A7 (244 acres)

0.001

0.010

0.100

1.000

10.000

100.000

1000.000

FtB 11

00

OLC 11

00

FLA U

PWIND

FLA B

URN UNIT

FLA D

NWIN

D

OLC 14

00

SMO UPWIND

SMO BURN UNIT

SMO DNWIND

FtB 11

00

OLC 12

00

FLA U

PWIND

FLA B

URN UNIT

FLA D

NWIN

D

OLC 14

00

SMO UPWIN

D

SMO BURN UNIT

SMO DNWIND

OLC 17

00

OLC 22

00

OLC 09

00

SMO BURN UNIT

OLC 15

00

Halog HC Org NO3 Biog HC BTX incl 1,3Butadiene Alkenes incl Ethyne Alkanes CH4 CO CO2

Relatively strong emissions of CO, alkenes, aromatics, biogenics, and methyl chloride from burn units during flaming (FLA) stages

Preliminary POC Results: February 2003Identified Organic Mass

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2/2/03 0:00 2/5/03 12:00 2/5/03 17:00 2/5/03 22:00 2/6/03 3:00 2/6/03 8:00

Start Time [EST]

Con

c., n

g m

3

Sum of Alkanedioic acids

sum of Alkenoic acids

sum of n-alkanoic acids

Sum of Branched alkanes

Sum of Other compounds

Sum of Aromatic carboxylic acids

Sum of Resin scids

Sum of PAHs

Sum of Steranes

Sum of Hopanes

Sum of n-Alkanes

Preliminary POC Results: February 2003Other compounds

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2/2/03 0:00 2/5/03 12:00 2/5/03 17:00 2/5/03 22:00 2/6/03 3:00 2/6/03 8:00

Start Time [EST]

Con

c., n

g m

3

Nonanal

Cholesterol

Benz(de)anthracen-7-one

Propionylsyringol

Propionylsyringol

Coniferyl aldehyde

Acetonylsyringol

Sinapic aldehyde

Levoglucosan

Still to do(Pending continued funding)

• Evaluate regional PM from previous years relative to regional burn activity and precipitation

• Integrate GFC fire statistics

• Integrate GFC Forestry Weather & Smoke Management Forecast Data

• Integrate ECMI met data from Fort Benning

• Collect one more PCM sample in summer

• Analyze POC High-Volume samples

• QA/QC all met, gas and PM data

• Do source apportionment for select samples

• Merge all AQ data with fuel data

• Evaluate fuel-type – AQ relationship

• Prepare data for model integration

• Develop strategy for phase II

Acknowledgement

Collaborators and Contributors

CSU-OLC: Jill Whiting, Jim Trostle, site operatorsBecky Champion, director, “courier”

Ft Benning: Polly Gustafson, EMD, reporting to J BrentJack Greenlee, LMB, reporting to R LarimoreHugh Westbury, SERDP, contractor,

reporting to D Price, US Army, Vicksburg, MSFt Gordon: Allen Braswell, ENRMO, reporting to S WillardAugusta RP: Shari Mendrick, Col.Cty.Eng.Dept., Evans, GA

For more information

• Dr. Karsten Baumann (PI) kb@eas.gatech.edu

• Dr. Mei Zheng mzheng@eas.gatech.edu

• Dr. Michael Chang chang@eas.gatech.edu

• Dr. Ted Russell trussell@ce.gatech.edu

Find this presentation as 030626 DOD-P2 Atlanta in ppt-format at

http://arec.gatech.edu/Presentations

Supplementary Material

18%

4%

12%

2%

35%

18%

8%3%

Average mass = 12.8 +-1.7 g m-3

OM/OC = 1.5 +-0.2

Period 2-6 February

Progressively Increasing PM2.5 Mass & %-Organics

25%

5%

8%

2%

29%

23%

5% 3%

Average mass = 10.4 +-2.5 g m-3

OM/OC = 1.8 +-0.3

Period 20-22 January

27%

6%

4%

4%34%

11%

3%

11%

Average mass = 13.1 +-2.1 g m-3

OM/OC = 1.3 +-0.2

Period 10-11 March

17%

2%

7%

2%

43%

24%

4% 1%

Average mass = 23.9 +-4.9 g m-3

OM/OC = 1.6 +-0.2

Period 24-27 March

26%

1%

12%

1%30%

25%

4% 1%

SO4=NO3-NH4+EC

OCOOE*LOAOthers

Average mass = 22.1 +-5.2 g m-3

OM/OC = 2.0 +-0.5

Period 13-17 April

Gas-phase Emissions fromBiomass Burning

From laboratory combustion experiments by Lobert et al. [1990], published byCrutzen PJ and MO Andreae, Biomass burning in the tropics: impact on atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemical cycles, Science 250, 1669-1678, 1990.

CO2, NOx, SO2, N2O, CH3Cl (not measured)mainly during flaming,

CO, Nitriles (HCN, CH3CN), HCmainly during smoldering.

Emission ratios (mol/mol) averaged for entire burning process:

CO/NOx ~ > 25CO/SO2 ~ 200

Lobert JM, DH Scharffe, WM Hao, andPJ Crutzen, Nature 346, 552-554, 1990.

Particle Composition Monitor “PCM”Channel 1:NH3 Na+, K+, NH4

+, Ca+2

Channel 2:HF, HCl, HONO, HNO3, SO2, HCOOH, CH3COOH, (COOH)2

F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO4

=, HCOO-, CH3COO-, C2O4

=

Channel 3:EC, OC, WSOC, “SVOC”

Additional higher resolution

CO, NO, NOy, O3, PM-mass,

and basic meteorology

High-Vol Sampling and GC/MS Analyses

Quantification of >100 Particle-phase Organic Compoundsn-alkanes, branched alkanes, cycloalkanesn-alkanoic acids, n-alkenoic acidsalkanedioic acidsPAHs, oxy-PAHs

retenesteraneshopanesresin acids

pimaric acidabietic acidsandaracopimaric acid

aromatic acidslevoglucosan

POC

Canister Sampling and GC/FID Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds

VOC

Collaborating withProf. Don Blake, UC Irvine, CA 92697 http://fsr10.ps.uci.edu/GROUP/group.html

C2-C6 n-alkanes, alkenes, branched alkenes, alkynesisoprene

Cyclic compoundsmonoterpenes (-, -pinene)

Aromatics, organic nitrates, halogenated speciesmethylchloride

Quantification of >60 compounds, incl. CO2 for “fire” samples