Global wildland fires

Global emissions of particles and chemical compounds from wildland fires into the atmosphere have a strong impact on the air’s composition. In the tropics, every year numerous deforestation and savanna maintenance fires emit vast amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Also extratropical wildland fires can affect air quality on a regional and inter-continental scale. Models that simulate sources, transport and sinks of chemical species and particles in the atmosphere make use of fire emission inventories to describe this highly variable source. This book presents an analysis of new global fire satellite products that allow for an improved estimate of fire emissions. Emissions are calculated with the Global Wildland Fire Emission Model (GWEM) developed by the author. Results are used in a global transport model to assess the influence of fire emissions on atmospheric chemistry. Significant impacts on carbon monoxide and ozone in the atmosphere are observed. This book is directed to students and earth system researchers interested in wildland fires and their impact on atmospheric composition. Parts of this book may also serve a broader audience as introduction to the topic.