High Temporal Resolution Satellite Observations of Fire Radiative Power Reveal Link Between Fire Behavior and Aerosol and Gas Emissions | CU Experts

Wildfire smoke influences on air quality and atmospheric chemistry have; been underscored by the increasing fire prevalence in recent years, and; yet, the connection between fire, smoke emissions, and the subsequent; transformation of this smoke in the atmosphere remains poorly; constrained. Toward improving these linkages, we present a new method; for coupling high-time-resolution satellite observations of fire; radiative power (FRP) with in situ observations of smoke aerosols and; trace gases. We apply this technique to thirteen fire plumes; comprehensively characterized during the recent FIREX-AQ mission and; show that changes in FRP directly translate into changes in conserved; smoke tracers (CO2, CO, and black carbon aerosol) observed in the; downwind smoke plume. The correlation is particularly strong for CO2; (mean r>0.9). This method is important for untangling the; competing effects of changing fire behavior versus the influence of; dilution and atmospheric processing on the down-wind evolution of; measured smoke properties.

Wiggins EB; Jeanine SA; Gargulinski EM; Selene HH; Pierce B; Schmidt CC; Nowak JB; DiGangi JP; S. DG; Katich JM

VIVO