Estimation of black carbon emissions from dry dipterocarp forest fires in Thailand

Abstract

This study focused on the estimation of black carbon emissions from dry dipterocarp forest fires in Thailand. Field experiments were set up at the natural forest, Mae Nam Phachi wildlife sanctuary, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. The dead leaves were the main component consumed of the surface biomass with coverage higher than 90% in volume and mass. The dead leaves load was 342 ± 190 g·m-2 and followed by a little mass load of twig, 100 g·m-2. The chemical analysis of the dead leaves showed that the carbon content in the experimental biomass fuel was 45.81 ± 0.04%. From the field experiments, it was found that 88.38 ± 2.02% of the carbon input was converted to carbon released to the atmosphere, while less than 10% were left in the form of residues, and returned to soil. The quantity of dead leaves consumed to produce each gram of carbon released was 2.40 ± 0.02 gdry biomassburned. From the study, the emissions factor of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon amounted 1329, 90, 26.19 and 2.83 g·kg-1 dry biomassburned, respectively. In Thailand, the amount of black carbon emissions from dry dipterocarp forest fires amounted 17.43 tonnes·y-1.