Study of Air Quality Impacts Resulting from Prescribed Burning on

Military Facilities

Karsten Baumann,

Mei Zheng,

Michael Chang, and

Ted Russell

Clean Air Act

EndangeredSpecies Act

Fire Ecology

• The endangered Red Cockaded

Woodpecker (RCW) resides only in the

mature long-leaf pine forests of the SE US.

• Most of the forests old and large enough to

support the RCW are on federal and

military lands.

• Long-leaf pine ecosystems have adapted to

natural fire regimes (wildfires in ~3 to 7

year cycles) and now require periodic

burning to maintain health.

• Prescribed burning is a safe and effective

alternative to natural fire regimes.

To what extent does prescribed burning impact local and regional air quality?

VOCs

PM

NOx

O3

Motivation: Fall-line Air Quality Study34.6

34.4

34.2

34.0

33.8

33.6

33.4

33.2

33.0

32.8

32.6

32.4

32.2

32.0

-85.5 -85.0 -84.5 -84.0 -83.5 -83.0 -82.5 -82.0 -81.5

Atlanta

FAQS measurement sites significant point sources point sources w/ CO:NOx > 1

Wind Roses with avg [PM2.5] for

summer & winter in µg m-3

and wind frequency in %.

20x20 km

WansleyYates

Bowen

McDonough

Branch

Scherer

Arkwright

Urquhart

Augusta

Macon

Columbus

Griffin

N

E

S

W9 18

17.9 7.8

N

E

S

W9 18

17.214.1

N

E

S

W9 18

18.215.9

N

E

S

W9 18

16.214.2

N

E

S

W18 36

36.8

Motivation

8

6

4

2

0

m/s

10/26/2001 10/31/2001 11/5/2001 11/10/2001 11/15/2001 11/20/2001 11/25/2001

Time (EST)

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

Wind Speed

80

60

40

20

0

µg

/m3

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

PM2.5

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 30 min Average Concentrations during FAQS Phase II (Fall 2001)

Motivation Period around the prescribed burning of HC2 on 12/5/2001

8

6

4

2

0

m/s

12/1/2001 12/3/2001 12/5/2001 12/7/2001 12/9/2001 12/11/2001

Time (EST)

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

Wind Speed

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

deg

N

Wind Direction

80

60

40

20

0

µg

/m3

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

PM2.5

Motivation Period around the prescribed burning of Q1 on 3/28/2002

8

6

4

2

0

m/s

3/23/2002 3/25/2002 3/27/2002 3/29/2002 3/31/2002 4/2/2002 4/4/2002

Time (EST)

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

Wind Speed

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

deg

N

Wind Direction

80

60

40

20

0

µg

/m3

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

PM2.5

Motivation Period around the prescribed burning of A9 on 5/21/2001

8

6

4

2

0

m/s

5/15/2002 5/17/2002 5/19/2002 5/21/2002 5/23/2002 5/25/2002 5/27/2002

Time (EST)

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

Wind Speed

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

deg

N

Wind Direction

80

60

40

20

0

µg

/m3

Griffin AugustaMacon Columbus

PM2.5

HC2

A9

Q1

NH4Organic Compounds

NO3 Elemental Carbon

Other Elements

SO4

ColumbusOxbow Learning Center

ColumbusWater Works

Average Composition of PM2.5

Observed During FAQS Phase I (July 2000)

1%28%

1%

9%

2%

59%

2%

2%

2%

29%

9%

57%

Average mass = 22 g/m3 Average mass = 19 g/m3

Motivation

Source contributions to organic carbon in PM2.5Pensacola, FL October 1999

Other organic carbon30%

Wood combustion

39%

Meat cooking 6%

Vegetative detritus

2%

Gasoline exhaust

3%

Diesel exhaust

20%

More Motivation

Zheng et al., ES&T 2002

In the continental U.S. prescribed burns and forest fires contribute ~37 % to the total direct fine PM emissions of ~1 Mio t per year*

* Nizich et al., EPA Report 454/R-00-002 (NTIS PB2000-108054), RTP, NC, 2000

Objectives• To quantitatively characterize pollutants emitted from prescribed burning,

with emphasis on the detailed chemical composition of fine PM at OLC;• To study diversity of sites:

- Fort Benning as primary study site, including PM source

apportionment

and in situ gas phase sampling.

- Fort Gordon, Shaw and Eglin AFB as secondary study sites to include

in situ gas phase sampling only.• To identify conserved markers for biomass burning in ambient air;• To determine the contribution of gaseous precursors towards secondary

ozone and fine PM formation;• To determine how concentrations and chemical compositions differ with

conditions of burning (such as open flame versus smoldering), type of

biomass burned, moisture in the biomass, and season (summer versus fall).

Fort Benning

3’

4’

a/c

11’

8’

Stair step

4’ 14’

Guy wired8m Towertilt down

10’ Gate

45’ x 40’ Fence

N

10’ x 12’ Shelter

4 additional 20 A circuit breakers

33’ x 7’ level Platform~ 1’ above ground

4 quadruple outlets on individual breakers

• Focus on Fort Benning in collaboration with WW & CSU utilizing Columbus OLC site;

• OLC site upgrade for PM source apportionment and in situ gas phase sampling started;

• Contacts to site operators and VOC sample takers established, specific training in progress.

VOC

POC

PCM

Gas

Met

Particle Composition Monitor “PCM”Channel 1:

NH3

Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca+2

Channel 2:

HF, HCl, HONO, HNO3, SO2,

HCOOH, CH3COOH, (COOH)2

F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO4

=,

HCOO-, CH3COO-, C2O4=

Channel 3:

EC, OC, WSOC, “SVOC”

Additional higher resolution

CO, NO, NOy, O3, PM-mass,

and basic meteorology

High-Vol Sampling and GC/MS Analyses

Quantification of >100 Particle-phase Organic Compounds

n-alkanes, branched alkanes, cycloalkanesn-alkanoic acids, n-alkenoic acidsalkanedioic acidsPAHs, oxy-PAHs

retenesteraneshopanesresin acids

pimaric acidabietic acidsandaracopimaric acid

aromatic acidslevoglucosan

POC

Canister Sampling and GC/FID Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds

VOC

Subcontract with long-term collaborator Prof. Don Blake, UC Irvine, CA 92697 http://fsr10.ps.uci.edu/GROUP/group.html

C2-C6 n-alkanes, alkenes, branched alkenes, alkynesisoprene

Cyclic compoundsmonoterpenes (--pinene)

Aromatics, organic nitrates, halogenated speciesmethylchloride

Quantification of >60 compounds, incl. CO2 for “fire” samples

Linking Chemical Composition of Emissions with Prescribed Burn Conditions…• Combustion: open flame versus smoldering• Biomass type and moisture • Seasonal differences: summer versus fall/winter• Site specific differences: background versus plume

…Requires close collaboration with individual facilities’ personnel

Eglin AFBJohn Wolfe AQ Program Manager (850) 882-7677 john.wolfe2@eglin.af.mil

Shaw AFBTerry Madewell AQ Program Manager (803) 895-9996

Fort GordonStephen Willard AQ Program Manager (706) 791-2403willards@gordon.army.mil

Fort BenningPolly GustafsonAQ Program Manager (706) 545-7576Polly.Gustafson@benning.army.mil

Criteria, SOP and Documentation of PB Burn map Prioritized list RCW data base GIS digital system FY table & summary Drought conditions (KBDI) Interagency communication GFC Fire Weather Forecast

BURN FORM

• location & size of burn unit

• phys & biol character

• assets to protect

• hazards & risks

• personnel

Ignition

Weather observations andT, RH, WS, WD measurements during peak fire (1200-1400 LT)

FIRE WEATHER INFO FORM

• T, RH, WS, WD, BL height

• fuel moisture, days since rain

• O3 forecast, SDI

Delineation of burn area Smoke Screening Procedure Post-burn evaluation

• Photographs

• Smoke Screening Form

• Smoke Impact Map

• Post Burn Monitoring Form

Observations from smoldering phase??

Sampling Strategy• Met & gas-phase parameters are measured continuously at OLC.

• PM & VOC samples are taken at OLC according to Ft Benning’s PB schedule.

• Burn boss determines upwind/downwind location and takes 3 VOC samples:Upwind / Close to burn unit / Downwind

[ Note, these samples don’t need to be taken simultaneously! ]

• A maximum of 3 VOC samples are analyzed for each open flaming and smoldering/glowing stage; i.e. max 6 samples per burn.

• Assuming that flaming stage ends at sunset when smoldering phase begins, problem is, how to coordinate the VOC can sampling for smoldering phase??

• Post-processing of continuous met & gas data, as well as local weather data will determine if OLC site can be considered upwind or downwind from burn unit; if indifferent, then neither VOC nor PM samples will be analyzed.

• It is expected to capture 6 plume events, 4 in Fall 2002 and 2 in Summer 2003.

• VOC analyses limited to max 36 VOC can samples.

Sampling Strategyrevised 9/13/02

• Met & gas-phase parameters are measured continuously at OLC.

• PM & VOC samples are taken at OLC according to Ft Benning’s PB schedule.

• Burn boss determines downwind location and takes 4 VOC samples:Before ignition / Close to flaming burn unit / Downwind / Upwind[ Note, these samples need/should not be taken simultaneously! ]

• A maximum of 3 VOC samples are analyzed for - the full burn stage [most of the unit in open flaming], and - the late burn stage [most of unit in smoldering/glowing stage]; i.e.

a total maximum of 8 VOC samples (incl. 2 upwind) are analyzed per burn.

• Assuming that flaming ends at sunset when only smoldering occurs, problem is, how to coordinate the VOC can sampling for smoldering phase??

• Post-processing of continuous met & gas data, as well as local weather data will determine if OLC site can be considered upwind or downwind from burn unit; if indifferent, then neither VOC nor PM samples will be analyzed.

• It is expected to capture 6 plume events, 4 in Winter 2002/03 and 2 in Spring 2003.

• VOC analyses limited to max 48 VOC can samples.

VOC Can Sampling Technical Details

GUIDELINES FOR TAKING VOC AIR SAMPLES

• Remove Yellow/black end cap from port connector.

• Raise sample canister above and in front of you facing the wind.

• When the canister is full, open the valve one full turn counter clockwise, then close the valve firmly clockwise.

• Fill out canister label and sampling record sheet provided.

• Store boxes in a dry location with arrows up.

• Please make a copy of the completed sampling record sheet And mail to Air Resources Engineering Center

Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences575 14th Street NW, lab 1376Atlanta, GA 30318

Or fax to (404) 385-0795

• Please ship box with cans & documents back to (use pre-printed label that should read)

Murray D C McEachernDepartment of ChemistryB35 Rowland HallUniversity of California, IrvineIrvine, CA, 92697-2025Phone (949) 824-4854

Fax (949) 824-2905

Deliverables and Products• Sep ’02 OLC site modifications, implementations, and preparations completed;

• Dec ’02 1st progress report describing the sampling in Fall 2002;

• Mar ’03 2nd progress report with prelim results of Fall sampling chemical analysis;

• Aug ‘03 3rd progress report with detailed analysis of Fall ‘02 & Summer ‘03 results,

including improved site specific prescribed burning emission factors;

• Oct ‘03 Final Report with Recommendations,

– reporting the detailed chemical composition and concentrations from prescribed burns,

– comparing plume emissions to the background samples,

– assessing the VOC emissions at three sites, and

– identifying specific burning practices with resultant air quality impacts.

• Beyond complement ongoing SERDP, State of GA, and US EPA research projects.

Deliverables and Products

revised 9/13/02

• Oct ’02 OLC site modifications, implementations, and preparations completed;

• Mar ’03 1st progress report describing the sampling in Winter 2002;

• June ’03 2nd progress report with prelim results of Winter & Spring sampling;

• Sep ‘03 3rd progress report with detailed analysis of Winter & Spring results,

including improved site specific prescribed burning emission factors;

• Dec ‘03 Final Report with Recommendations,

– reporting the detailed chemical composition and concentrations from prescribed burns,

– comparing plume emissions to the background samples,

– assessing the VOC emissions at three sites, and

– identifying specific burn practices with resultant air quality impacts.

• Beyond complement ongoing SERDP, State of GA, and US EPA research projects.

For more information:

• Dr. Karsten Baumann (PI) kb@eas.gatech.edu

• Dr. Mei Zheng mzheng@eas.gatech.edu

• Dr. Michael Chang chang@eas.gatech.edu

• Dr. Ted Russell trussell@ce.gatech.edu