title: Characterization of PM(2.5) collected during broadcast and slash-pile prescribed burns of predominately ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona.
abstract: Prescribed burning, in combination with mechanical thinning, is a successful method for reducing heavy fuel loads from forest floors and thereby lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire. However, an undesirable consequence of managed fire is the production of fine particulate matter or PM(2.5) (particles ≤2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter). Wood-smoke particulate data from 21 prescribed burns are described, including results from broadcast and slash-pile burns. All PM(2.5) samples were collected in situ on day 1 (ignition) or day 2. Samples were analyzed for mass, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), inorganic elements, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC). Results were characteristic of low intensity, smoldering fires. PM(2.5) concentrations varied from 523 to 8357 µg m(-3) and were higher on day 1. PAH weight percents (19 PAHs) were higher in slash-pile burns (0.21 ± 0.08% OC) than broadcast burns (0.07 ± 0.03% OC). The major elements were K, Cl, S, and Si. OC and EC values averaged 66 ± 7 and 2.8 ± 1.4% PM(2.5), respectively, for all burns studied, in good agreement with literature values for smoldering fires.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.
authors.forename: Marin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zack
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brindley
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Portz
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarterman
authors.forename: Xiufen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herckes