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Zhong S, Liu R, Yue S, Wang P, Zhang Q, Ma C, Deng J, Qi Y, Zhu J, Liu CQ, Kawamura K, Fu P. Peatland Wildfires Enhance Nitrogen-Containing Organic Compounds in Marine Aerosols over the Western Pacific. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10991-11002. [PMID: 38829627 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Peatland wildfires contribute significantly to the atmospheric release of light-absorbing organic carbon, often referred to as brown carbon. In this study, we examine the presence of nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) within marine aerosols across the Western Pacific Ocean, which are influenced by peatland fires from Southeast Asia. Employing ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) in electrospray ionization (ESI) positive mode, we discovered that NOCs are predominantly composed of reduced nitrogenous bases, including CHN+ and CHON+ groups. Notably, the count of NOC formulas experiences a marked increase within plumes from peatland wildfires compared to those found in typical marine air masses. These NOCs, often identified as N-heterocyclic alkaloids, serve as potential light-absorbing chromophores. Furthermore, many NOCs demonstrate pyrolytic stability, engage in a variety of substitution reactions, and display enhanced hydrophilic properties, attributed to chemical processes such as methoxylation, hydroxylation, methylation, and hydrogenation that occur during emission and subsequent atmospheric aging. During the daytime atmospheric transport, aging of aromatic N-heterocyclic compounds, particularly in aliphatic amines prone to oxidation and reactions with amine, was observed. The findings underscore the critical role of peatland wildfires in augmenting nitrogen-containing organics in marine aerosols, underscoring the need for in-depth research into their effects on marine ecosystems and regional climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujun Zhong
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Scientific Research Academy of Guangxi Environment Protection, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530022, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Siyao Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Junjun Deng
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yulin Qi
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jialei Zhu
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Kimitaka Kawamura
- Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
| | - Pingqing Fu
- Institute of Surface-Earth Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
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Jiang X, Cai H, Yang X. Response of active layer thickening to wildfire in the pan-Arctic region: Permafrost type and vegetation type influences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166132. [PMID: 37562624 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Northern high-latitude permafrost holds the largest soil carbon pool in the world. Understanding the responses of permafrost to wildfire is crucial for improving our ability to predict permafrost degradation and further carbon emissions. Recently, studies have demonstrated that wildfires in the pan-Arctic region induced the thickening of the active layer based on site or fire event observations. However, how this induced thickening is influenced by vegetation and permafrost types remains not fully understood due to the lack of wall-to-wall analysis. Therefore, this study employed remotely sensed fire data and modelled active layer thickness (ALT) to identify the fire-induced ALT change (ΔALT) for the pan-Arctic region, and the contributions of vegetation and permafrost were quantified using the random forest (RF) model. Our results showed that the average ΔALT and the sensitivity of ΔALT to burn severity both increased with decreasing ground ice content in permafrost. The largest values were detected in thick permafrost with low ground ice content. Regarding vegetation, the average and sensitivity of ΔALT in tundra were highest, followed by those in forest and shrub. When the individual environmental factors were all taken into account, the results showed that the contribution of vegetation types was much higher than that of permafrost types (20.2 % vs. 3.5 %). Our findings highlighted the importance of environmental factors in regulating the responses of permafrost to fire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongyan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Xiaohuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Kelly R, Montgomery WI, Reid N. Initial ecological change in plant and arthropod community composition after wildfires in designated areas of upland peatlands. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9771. [PMID: 36789349 PMCID: PMC9919495 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildfires are an increasing concern due to rising temperatures and incidence of droughts associated with changing climate, poor land management, and direct human interference. Most studies of the impact of fire on temperate heathland and bog examined the consequences of controlled or prescribed burning. Less is known about the impacts of uncontrolled wildfires on sites designated for their conservation value. We examined the initial impact and short-term trajectory (3.5 years) of cool temperate peatland plant and arthropod communities on designated upland sites in Northern Ireland following wildfires, that is, unplanned with respect to where and when they occur, severity, and duration. These near simultaneous wildfires were often due to a failure to control prescribed burns. Wildfires were associated with a loss of blanket bog and heath indicator species. Broad vegetation groups showed initial recovery characterized by a decrease in bare ground and increasing cover of shrub species and bryophytes. However, at a species level, Sphagnum spp and bryophyte communities, which are central to peatland ecosystem functioning, showed no sign of recovery to prefire composition. Rather, bryophyte communities became more divergent over the course of the study and were mainly characterized by increased abundance of the alien pioneer acrocarp Campylopus introflexus. Similarly, composition of arthropod communities (ground beetles and spiders) differed between burnt and unburnt areas and showed no evidence of a return to species composition in unburnt areas. The nationally rare beetle Carabus nitens was more common in the aftermath of wildfire. Synthesis. Whilst, long-term recovery was not investigated, these short-term changes suggest enduring detrimental impacts on the distinctive communities associated with peatlands, primarily through the loss of Sphagnum spp., affecting ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water and soil retention. It may not be possible to restore exact prefire species composition of plant and animal communities. We suggest a precautionary approach involving management of upland vegetation, public education, and vigilance, to prevent further wildfires and protect these key upland habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Kelly
- Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS)School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
- Environment and Marine Sciences DivisionAgri‐Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)BelfastUK
| | - W. Ian Montgomery
- Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS)School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Neil Reid
- Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS)School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
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Romanov AA, Tamarovskaya AN, Gusev BA, Leonenko EV, Vasiliev AS, Krikunov EE. Catastrophic PM 2.5 emissions from Siberian forest fires: Impacting factors analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119324. [PMID: 35513193 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With increased forest fires due to climate change, PM2.5 emissions also intensified. Record PM2.5 emissions according to Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service in Russia amounted to 8 megatons (Mt) in 2021, which is 78% higher than the average level of 2004-2021 (4.5 Mt). Seven federal subjects (the constituent entities) with vast forest areas without fire protection produced 86% of emissions (6.8 Mt) in 2021, the major losses (6.1 Mt) in Yakutia (Sakha Republic). The ambient temperature in Eastern Siberia is increasing, especially in months of winter and spring seasons (up to +3.6 °C) in 1990-2020 compared to 1901-2020 (CEDA Archive); climate change has affected meteorological conditions leading to increased forest fires. The results of the SARIMAX model study for PM2.5 emissions considering meteorological factors using ERA5 and burnt forest area using MODIS (MCD64A1), establishing a significant dependence of PM2.5 emissions on the lack of precipitation and the associated parameters of complete and potential evaporation. This influence long before the fire season (up to 9 months), as it affects the snow cover and the dryness of the fuel by the beginning of forest fires. In turn, high PM2.5 emission values are accompanied by a drop in 2 m air temperature and surface solar radiation downwards due to the aerosol saturation with suspended particles. The average COR for seven federal subjects was 0.79, with the highest forecast result in Yakutia (0.95), indicating the maximum propensity for record emissions due to weather conditions. In combination with forest management without fire protection, meteorological parameters have caused an increase in PM2.5 emissions in recent years in Siberia. The forest needs other ways to manage under the pressures of climate change to reduce environmental pollution associated with PM2.5 emissions from vast Siberian fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey A Romanov
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France.
| | - Anastasia N Tamarovskaya
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France
| | - Boris A Gusev
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France
| | | | | | - Elijah E Krikunov
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; A2 Research & Development Lab, Soissons, France
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Assessing Sumatran Peat Vulnerability to Fire under Various Condition of ENSO Phases Using Machine Learning Approaches. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13060828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, catastrophic wildfire episodes within the Sumatran peatland have contributed to a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) modulates the occurrence of fires in Indonesia through prolonged hydrological drought. Thus, assessing peatland vulnerability to fires and understanding the underlying drivers are essential to developing adaptation and mitigation strategies for peatland. Here, we quantify the vulnerability of Sumatran peat to fires under various ENSO conditions (i.e., El-Nino, La-Nina, and Normal phases) using correlative modelling approaches. This study used climatic (i.e., annual precipitation, SPI, and KBDI), biophysical (i.e., below-ground biomass, elevation, slope, and NBR), and proxies to anthropogenic disturbance variables (i.e., access to road, access to forests, access to cities, human modification, and human population) to assess fire vulnerability within Sumatran peatlands. We created an ensemble model based on various machine learning approaches (i.e., random forest, support vector machine, maximum entropy, and boosted regression tree). We found that the ensemble model performed better compared to a single algorithm for depicting fire vulnerability within Sumatran peatlands. The NBR highly contributed to the vulnerability of peatland to fire in Sumatra in all ENSO phases, followed by the anthropogenic variables. We found that the high to very-high peat vulnerability to fire increases during El-Nino conditions with variations in its spatial patterns occurring under different ENSO phases. This study provides spatially explicit information to support the management of peat fires, which will be particularly useful for identifying peatland restoration priorities based on peatland vulnerability to fire maps. Our findings highlight Riau’s peatland as being the area most prone to fires area on Sumatra Island. Therefore, the groundwater level within this area should be intensively monitored to prevent peatland fires. In addition, conserving intact forests within peatland through the moratorium strategy and restoring the degraded peatland ecosystem through canal blocking is also crucial to coping with global climate change.
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Agathokleous E, Barceló D, Rinklebe J, Sonne C, Calabrese EJ, Koike T. Hormesis induced by silver iodide, hydrocarbons, microplastics, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals: Implications for agroforestry ecosystems health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153116. [PMID: 35063521 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Increasing amounts of silver iodide (AgI) in the environment are expected because of the recent massive expansion of weather modification programs. Concurrently, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, hydrocarbons, and pesticides in terrestrial ecosystems continue contaminating forests and agroforests. Our review supports that AgI induces hormesis, a biphasic dose response characterized by often beneficial low-dose responses and toxic high-dose effects, which adds to the evidence for pharmaceuticals, microplastics, hydrocarbons, and pesticides induced hormesis in numerous species. Doses smaller than the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) positively affect defense physiology, growth, biomass, yields, survival, lifespan, and reproduction. They also lead to negative or undesirable outcomes, including stimulation of pathogenic microbes, pest insects, and weeds with enhanced resistance to drugs and potential negative multi- or trans-generational effects. Such sub-NOAEL effects perplex terrestrial ecosystems managements and may compromise combating outbreaks of disease vectors that can threaten not only forest and agroforestry health but also sensitive human subpopulations living in remote forested areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Ningliu Rd. 219, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210044, China.
| | - Damià Barceló
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, C/ Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research, ICRA-CERCA, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Arctic Research Center (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-added Products, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Takayoshi Koike
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Hokkaido, Japan
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Abstract
In this perspective on the future of the Arctic, we explore actions taken to mitigate warming and adapt to change since the Paris agreement on the temperature threshold that should not be exceeded in order to avoid dangerous interference with the climate system. Although 5 years may seem too short a time for implementation of major interventions, it actually is a considerable time span given the urgency at which we must act if we want to avoid crossing the 1.5 to <2 °C global warming threshold. Actions required include co-production of research exploring possible futures; supporting Indigenous rights holders’ and stakeholders’ discourse on desired futures; monitoring Arctic change; funding strategic, regional adaptation; and, deep decarbonization through transformation of the energy system coupled with negative carbon emissions. We are now in the decisive decade concerning the future we leave behind for the next generations. The Arctic’s future depends on global action, and in turn, the Arctic plays a critical role in the global future.
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Rein G, Huang X. Smouldering wildfires in peatlands, forests and the arctic: Challenges and perspectives. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2021; 24:None. [PMID: 34950823 PMCID: PMC8660648 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires can be divided into two types, flaming or smouldering, depending on the dominant combustion processes. Both types are present in most wildfires, and despite being fundamentally different in chemical and physical terms, one transitions to the other. Traditionally, science has focused on flames, while smouldering is often misinterpreted. But smouldering wildfires are emerging as a global concern because they cause extensive air pollution, emit very large amounts of carbon, are difficult to detect and suppress, and could accelerate climate change. Central to the topic are smouldering peat fires that lead to the largest fires on Earth. Smouldering also dominates the residual burning after flames have died out and firebrand ignition. Finally, smouldering is an important part of Arctic wildfires, which are increasing in frequency. Here, we present a scientific overview of smouldering wildfires, the associated environmental and health issues, including climate change, and the challenges in prevention and mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Rein
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Xinyan Huang
- Research Centre for Fire Safety Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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