Identification and emission factors of molecular tracers in organic aerosols from biomass burning: Part 3. Grasses

Abstract

Smoke particulate matter from grasses (Gramineae, temperate, tropical and arctic) subjected to controlled burning, both under smoldering and flaming conditions, was sampled by high volume air filtration on pre-cleaned quartz fiber filters. The filtered particles were extracted with dichloromethane/methanol and the crude extracts were methylated for separation by thin layer chromatography into hydrocarbon, carbonyl, carboxylic acid ester and polar fractions. Then, the total extract and individual fractions were analyzed by GC-MS. The major organic components directly emitted in grass smoke particles were the homologous series of n-alkanoic acids from plant lipids, n-alkanes from epicuticular wax, and sterols and triterpenols. The major natural products altered by combustion included pyrolysis products from cellulose and lignin biopolymers, and oxidation products from triterpenoids and sterols. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were also present; however, only as minor components. Although the concentrations of organic compounds in smoke aerosols are highly variable and dependent on combustion temperature, the biomarkers and their combustion alteration products are in these cases source specific. The major components are adsorbed on or trapped in smoke particulate matter and thus may be utilized as molecular tracers in the atmosphere for determining fuel type and source contributions from grass burning. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.