Stable carbon isotopic composition of biomass burning emissions – implications for estimating the contribution of C3 and C4 plants
Roland Vernooij,Ulrike Dusek,Maria Elena Popa,Peng Yao,Anupam Shaikat,Chenxi Qiu,Patrik Winiger,Carina van der Veen,Thomas Callum Eames,Natasha Ribeiro,and Guido R. van der Werf
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Ulrike Dusek
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Anupam Shaikat
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Chenxi Qiu
Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Landscape fires are a major source of greenhouse gases and aerosols, particularly in sub-tropical savannas. Stable carbon isotopes in emissions can be used to trace the contribution of C3 plants (e.g. trees or shrubs) and C4 plants (e.g. savanna grasses) to greenhouse gases and aerosols if the process is well understood. This helps us to link individual vegetation types to emissions, identify biomass burning emissions in the atmosphere, and improve the reconstruction of historic fire regimes.
Landscape fires are a major source of greenhouse gases and aerosols, particularly in...