The complex composition of organic aerosols emitted during burning varies between Arctic and boreal peat

• Published in: Communications earth & environment Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 137 - 12
• Main Authors: Schneider, Eric, Rüger, Christopher P., Chacón-Patiño, Martha L., Somero, Markus, Ruppel, Meri M., Ihalainen, Mika, Köster, Kajar, Sippula, Olli, Czech, Hendryk, Zimmermann, Ralf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 01.12.2024; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Aerosols; Aliphatic compounds; Biological activity; Biomass burning; Burning; Carbon; Carbon sequestration; Chemical composition; Climate change; Combustion; Cyclotron resonance; Emissions; Environmental risk; Fourier transforms; Health risks; Ionization; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Microbial activity; Microorganisms; Mixtures; Nitrogen; Nitrogen atoms; Northern Hemisphere; Organic carbon; Organic compounds; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Peat; Peatlands; Scientific imaging; Smoldering; Sulfur; Wildfires; Arctic region
• ISSN: 2662-4435; 2662-4435
• DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01304-y

Abstract Peatlands in the northern hemisphere are a major carbon storage but face an increased risk of wildfires due to climate change leading to large-scale smoldering fires in boreal and Arctic peatlands. Smoldering fires release organic carbon rich particulate matter, which influences the earth’s radiative balance and can cause adverse health effects for humans. Here we characterize the molecular composition of biomass burning particulate matter generated by laboratory burning experiments of peat by electrospray ionization 21 T Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, revealing a highly complex mixture of aromatic and aliphatic organic compounds with abundant heteroatoms including oxygen, sulfur and up to five nitrogen atoms. Primary organosulfur species are identified in the emissions of peat-smoldering, in part also containing nitrogen. Differences are observed when comparing structural motifs as well as the chemical composition of boreal and Arctic peat burning emissions, with the latter containing compounds with more nitrogen and sulfur.