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Project ID: 11-1-5-16

Year: 2011

Date Started: 09/01/2011

Ending Date:  06/01/2014

Title: Influence of Fuel Moisture and Density on Black Carbon Formation During Combustion of Boreal Peat Fuels

Project Proposal Abstract: The goals of the proposed research are to develop fire management and modeling tools to predict particulate carbon production and black carbon (BC) conversion rates during combustion of organic peat soils common to boreal forested and non-forested ecosystems of the Great Lakes region, Alaska, and Canada. We will test the control of fuel moisture on the generation of BC and particulates using controlled combustion trials of peat soils from Michigans Seney National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) with experimental gradients of fuel moisture. Combustion trials will be conducted at the USFS Fire Lab in Missoula, MT, with concurrent quantification of particulates and hydrocarbons via the smoke plume as well as BC and char surface deposition. This study will capitalize on planned prescribed burns in the peat soils of SNWR, which afford the unique opportunity to monitor fuel moisture and peat physical properties prior to and immediately following burning, as well as to spatially quantify BC and char conversion rates during wetland prescribed burning. By integrating the observations from the prescribed burn and the results of the experimental combustion trials, we will gain insight as to how emission factors and BC conversion rates are influenced by fuel and combustion characteristics. Moreover, detailed spectroradiometry data will be collected prior to and following the prescribed burning to assess the use of spectral remote sensing products for projecting BC generation potential. The data collected during this study will build on previous and on-going studies of the drivers of boreal ground fuel combustion. The results of this research will provide tools for fuel and fire behavior models on the generation of BC, as well as smoke emission and BC transport models involving the warming potential and human health implications of particulate matter in smoke. Specific deliverables will include: 1) empirical models of the influence of fuel moisture on BC conversion rates and particulate emissions during combustion of peat fuels, 2) quantification of particulate emissions and spatial patterns of BC generation and deposition during wetland prescribed burning, and 3) primary data on the spectroradiometric characteristics of charred post-fire peatland surfaces as well as dominant peat fuels varying in moisture content before and after burning. Other products include peer reviewed publications and a graduate thesis, presentations at scientific meetings, and workshops for resource managers, policymakers, and fire modeling researchers. Work will be advertised to other scientists and the public through communication with the recently formed JFSP-funded Lake States Fire Consortium and the SNWR Visitor Center.

Principal Investigator: Brian W. Benscoter

Agency/Organization: Florida Atlantic University

Branch or Dept: Department of Biological Sciences

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Budget Contact	JoAnn G. Moretti	Florida Atlantic University	Department of Biological Sciences
Co-Principal Investigator	Robert G. Corace III	FWS-Fish and Wildlife Service	Seney NWR
Co-Principal Investigator	Evan S Kane	Michigan Technological University	School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science
Collaborator/Contributor	Michael J. Falkowski	Michigan Technological University	School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science
Federal Cooperator	Robert E. Keane	Forest Service	RMRS-Fire, Fuel & Smoke Science Program
Grants and Agreements Contact	JoAnn G. Moretti	Florida Atlantic University	Department of Biological Sciences

Project Locations

Consortium

Lake States

Level	State	Agency	Unit
N/A

Project Deliverables

There is no final report available for this project.
There are no deliverables available for this project.

Supporting Documents

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