Air emissions from organic soil burning on the coastal plain of North Carolina

Emissions of trace gases and particles ≤2.5 microns aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) from fires during 2008–2011 on the North Carolina coastal plain were collected and analyzed. Carbon mass balance techniques were used to quantify emission factors (EFs). PM2.5 EFs were at least a factor of 2 greater than those from forest burning of above-ground fuels because of extended smoldering combustion of organic soil layers and peat fuels. This is consistent with CO2 EFs at the low end of previously reported ranges for biomass fuels, indicating less efficient combustion and enhanced emissions of products of incomplete combustion (PICs). CO EFs are at the high end of the range of previously published EFs for smoldering fuels. The biomass burning tracer levoglucosan was found to compose 1–3 percent of PM2.5 from the organic soil fires, similar to fractions measured in smoke from above-ground fine fuels reported in previous studies. Organic soil fuel loads and consumption are very difficult to estimate, but are potentially as high as thousands of tonnes ha−1. Combined with higher emission factors, this can result in emission fluxes hundreds of times higher than from prescribed fires in above-ground fuels in the southeastern US. Organic soil fuel represents a source of particles and gases that is difficult to control and can persist for days to months, jeopardizing human health and incurring considerable costs to monitor and manage. Extended fires in organic soils can contribute substantially to PM2.5 on CO emission inventories and may not be adequately accounted for in current estimates.

► PM2.5 EFs were at least a factor of 2 greater than those from above-ground fuels.
► CO EFs (250–300 g kg−1 fuel dry weight) are at the high end of the range of previously published EFs.
► Levoglucosan was found to compose 1–3 percent of PM2.5 from the organic soil fires.
► PM2.5 emissions may account for 10–20% of the total U.S. PM2.5 air emission inventory.