Emissions of nitrogen‐containing organic compounds from the burning of herbaceous and arboraceous biomass: Fuel composition dependence and the variability of commonly used nitrile tracers. Issue 18 (19th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coggon, Matthew M.; Veres, Patrick R.; Yuan, Bin; Koss, Abigail; Warneke, Carsten; Gilman, Jessica B.; Lerner, Brian M.; Peischl, Jeff; Aikin, Kenneth C.; Stockwell, Chelsea E.; Hatch, Lindsay E.; Ryerson, Thomas B.; Roberts, James M.; Yokelson, Robert J.; de Gouw, Joost A.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 18(2016)
• Page Start: 9903
• Page End: 9912
• Publication Date: 2016-09-19
• Subjects: nitrogen‐containing volatile organic compounds -- acetonitrile -- biomass burning -- fuel composition; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL070562
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from residential wood and crop residue burning were measured in Colorado, U.S. When compared to the emissions from crop burning, residential wood burning exhibited markedly lower concentrations of acetonitrile, a commonly used biomass burning tracer. For both herbaceous and arboraceous fuels, the emissions of nitrogen‐containing VOCs (NVOCs) strongly depend on the fuel nitrogen content; therefore, low NVOC emissions from residential wood burning result from the combustion of low‐nitrogen fuel. Consequently, the emissions of compounds hazardous to human health, such as HNCO and HCN, and the formation of secondary pollutants, such as ozone generated by NO x, are likely to depend on fuel nitrogen. These results also demonstrate that acetonitrile may not be a suitable tracer for domestic burning in urban areas. Wood burning emissions may be best identified through analysis of the emissions profile rather than reliance on a single tracer species. Key Points: The emissions of nitrogen‐containing VOCs from biomass burning smoke is strongly dependent on fuel composition Common biomass burning markers, such as acetonitrile, are weakly associated with emissions from residential wood burning The emissions of hazardous nitrogen‐containing compounds, such as HNCO and HCN, will depend on fuel nitrogen content