Quantifying Particulate Matter Emission Factors from Prescribed Burning with Application to Mitigating the Impact on Air Quality

该项目的目标是改善美国东南部常见植被类型燃烧的PM2.5（直径小于2.5微米的颗粒）排放因子（EFs），测试火灾条件对EFs的影响，并评估EFs估计方法的改进。 待检验的假设是，目前的方法高估了EFs，气候和火灾燃料条件是控制PM2.5 EFs的主要因素。 该方法将涉及收集PM2.5样品，然后使用多元素扫描热分析（MESTA）技术测量成分，该技术最近由一名主要研究人员开发，可用于区分生物质燃烧气溶胶（BBA）和背景气溶胶。 BBA质量测量将与火灾产生的二氧化碳的稳定碳同位素组成的测量相结合。 碳同位素比率可以使用商业上可获得的基于激光的系统实时测量，并且可以用于量化由火灾排放的二氧化碳。 该结果将用于评估现有火灾PM2.5排放因子数据库的有效性，为所有火灾PM2.5排放预测和建模奠定基础。 这项研究可能会为未来的PM2.5 EF测量建立一个新的标准，这将改善EF的计算和国家和全球PM排放的估计。 该项目产生的产品将直接交付给其他科学家以及州和联邦监管机构，这将导致改进规定的消防应用和空气质量政策，以保护公众的健康和安全。 将至少举办两次研讨会，就PM2.5和火灾二氧化碳排放量的开发方法以及改进的EF计算提供直接培训和信息转让。 来自佛罗里达A M大学（一所历史上的黑人大学）的博士后助理和少数民族研究生和本科生将有机会在空气质量研究领域接受培训和指导。

The objectives of this project are to improve the PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometer diameter) emission factors (EFs) for burning of common southeastern U.S. vegetation types, test for effects of fire conditions on EFs, and evaluate improvements in the method for estimating EFs. The hypotheses to be tested are that current methods over-estimate EFs and that climate and fire fuel conditions are major factors controlling PM2.5 EFs. The methodology will involve collection of PM2.5 samples followed by measurements of composition using a Multi-Element Scanning Thermal Analysis (MESTA) technique developed recently by one of the principal investigators that can be used to distinguish biomass burning aerosol (BBA) from background aerosol. The BBA mass measurements will be combined with measurements of the stable carbon isotope composition of carbon dioxide generated by the fire. The carbon isotope ratios can be measured in real-time using a commercially available laser-based system and can be used to quantify carbon dioxide emitted by the fire. The ratio of BBA to fire carbon dioxide is the EF.The results will be used to assess the validity of the current fire PM2.5 EF database, which is the basis for all fire PM2.5 emission prediction and modeling. The research will likely establish a new standard for future PM2.5 EF measurement, which would improve calculation of EF and estimates of PM emission nationally and globally. Products generated from the project will be delivered directly to other scientists and to state and federal regulators, which will lead to improved prescribed fire application and air quality policy in order to protect the health and safety of the general public. At least two workshops will be held to provide direct training and information transfer regarding the developed methods of PM2.5 and fire carbon dioxide emissions and calculation of improved EFs. A post-doctoral associate and minority graduate and undergraduate students from Florida A&M University, a Historically Black University, will have the opportunity to be trained and mentored in areas of air quality research.