Work

Distribution of dicarboxylic acids and carbon isotopic compositions in aerosols from 1997 Indonesian forest fires

Year: 1999

Type: article

Abstract: Fine aerosol particles collected in Southeast Asia during 1997 Indonesian forest fires were studied for the concentrations of total carbon (TC), water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids (C 2 ‐C 12 ) as well as carbon isotopic ratios of TC (δ 13 C TC ). TC and WSOC showed a large increase during the heavy forest fire event. At the same period, dicarboxylic acids, dominated by oxalic (C 2 ) followed by succinic (C 4 ) and malonic (C 3 ) acids, also showed a concentration increase. Furthermore, the δ 13 C TC showed a decrease from ca. −25.5 to −27.5‰ during an intensified forest fire event, suggesting an addition of organic aerosols derived from C3 plants whose δ 13 C are lighter. These results indicate that the aerosol particles in Southeast Asia were significantly affected by the combustion processes of vegetations during the 1997 Indonesian forest fires that were extensively induced by El Ninõ event.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/1999gl010810

Authors: M. Narukawa, K. Kawamura, N. Takeuchi, T. Nakajima

Institutions: Hokkaido University, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Chiba University, The University of Tokyo

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science