Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2764
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2764
21 Dec 2023
 | 21 Dec 2023

Long-term observations of black carbon and carbon monoxide in the Poker Flat Research Range, central Alaska, with a focus on forest wildfire emissions

Takeshi Kinase, Fumikazu Taketani, Masayuki Takigawa, Chunmao Zhu, Yongwon Kim, Petr Mordovskoi, and Yugo Kanaya

Abstract. Forest wildfires in interior Alaska represent an important black carbon (BC) source for the Arctic and sub-Arctic. However, BC observations in interior Alaska have not been sufficient to constrain the range of existing emissions. Here, we show our observations of BC mass concentrations and carbon monoxide (CO) mixing ratios in the Poker Flat Research Range (65.12° N, 147.43° W), located in central Alaska, since April 2016. The medians of the hourly BC mass concentration and CO mixing ratio throughout the observation period were 13 ng m-3 and 124.7 ppb, respectively. Significant peaks in the BC mass concentration and CO mixing ratio were observed at the same time, indicating influences from common sources. These BC peaks coincided with peaks at other comparative sites in Alaska, indicating large BC emissions in interior Alaska. Source estimation by FLEXPART-WRF confirmed a contribution of forest wildfires in Alaska when high BC mass concentrations were observed. For these cases, we found a positive correlation (r = 0.44) between the observed BC/∆CO ratio and fire radiative power (FRP) observed in Alaska and Canada. This finding indicates that the BC and CO emission ratio is controlled by the intensity and time progress of forest wildfires and suggests the BC emission factor or/and inventory could be potentially improved by FRP. We recommend that FRP be integrated into future bottom-up emission inventories to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of pollutants from frequently occurred forest wildfires under the rapidly changing climate in the Arctic.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Takeshi Kinase, Fumikazu Taketani, Masayuki Takigawa, Chunmao Zhu, Yongwon Kim, Petr Mordovskoi, and Yugo Kanaya

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2764', Jian Liu, 11 Jan 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2764', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 May 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Takeshi Kinase, 25 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2764', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Jul 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Takeshi Kinase, 25 Aug 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2764', Jian Liu, 11 Jan 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2764', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 May 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Takeshi Kinase, 25 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2764', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Jul 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Takeshi Kinase, 25 Aug 2024
Takeshi Kinase, Fumikazu Taketani, Masayuki Takigawa, Chunmao Zhu, Yongwon Kim, Petr Mordovskoi, and Yugo Kanaya
Takeshi Kinase, Fumikazu Taketani, Masayuki Takigawa, Chunmao Zhu, Yongwon Kim, Petr Mordovskoi, and Yugo Kanaya

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Short summary
Boreal forest wildfires in interior Alaska represent an important black carbon (BC) source for the Arctic and surrounding regions. We observed BC and carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in the Poker Flat Research Range since 2016 and found a positive correlation between the observed BC/∆CO ratio and fire radiative power (FRP) observed in Alaska and Canada. Our finding suggests the BC emission factor or/and inventory could be potentially improved by using FRP.