Characterization of gas and particle emissions from laboratory burns of peat

Peat cores collected from two locations in eastern North Carolina (NC, USA) were burned in a laboratory facility to characterize emissions during simulated field combustion. Particle and gas samples were analyzed to quantify emission factors for particulate matter (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon, light absorbing carbon, absorption Angstrom exponent, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs). CO from the smoldering burns, up to 7 h in duration, contributed approximately 16% of the total carbon emitted. Emission factors for black carbon (BC) and light absorbing carbon (UVPM) were considerably lower than those found for forest litter burns. Emission factors for PCDDs/PCDFs were near published values for forest fuels, at 1–4 ng toxic equivalents (TEQ)/kg carbon burned (Cb). Total PAH concentrations of ≥12 mg/kg were higher than published data from biomass burns, but roughly the same in terms of toxicity. Application of these emission factors to the noteworthy 2008 “Evans Road” fire in NC indicates that PM2.5 and PCDD/PCDF emissions from this fire may have been 4–6% of the annual US inventory and 5% of the annual OC amount. [Display omitted] •First known measurements of PCDD/PCDF from peat burns.•Peat burns are characterized by high CO emissions.•Lower BC and UVPM values observed are typical for smoldering conditions.•The absorption Angstrom exponent declines with burn/smolder time.•Peat fires can contribute substantial PM2.5, OC, and PCDD/PCDF pollutants.