A burning question. Can recent growth rate anomalies in the greenhouse gases be attributed to large-scale biomass burning events?

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

P. G. Simmonds; A. J. Manning; R. G. Derwent; P. Ciais; M. Ramonet; Kazan, V.; D. Ryall

Source:

Atmospheric Environment, Volume 39, Issue 14, p.2513 - 2517 (2005)

ISBN:

1352-2310

URL:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231005001573

Keywords:

Biomass burning, Carbon dioxide, Greenhouse gases

Abstract:

Simultaneous in situ measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the principal gases linked to biomass burning at the Mace Head Observatory, Ireland, reveal a strong correlation in 1998–99 and 2002–03, both periods with intense global fires. CO2, carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), hydrogen (H2), ozone (O3) and methyl chloride (CH3Cl), all have similar rates of accumulation during these time frames. These perturbations imply a causal relationship between large-scale biomass burning events and the interannual variability of these gases.