Emission of methyl bromide from biomass burning

Journal Article · Fri Mar 04 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.263.5151.1255· OSTI ID:7162822

Manoe, S; Andreae, M O ^[1]

---

1. Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz (Germany)

Bromine is, per atom, far more efficient than chlorine in destroying stratospheric ozone, and methyl bromide is the single largest source of stratospheric bromine. The two main previously known sources of this compound are emissions from the ocean and from the compound's use as an agricultural pesticide. Laboratory biomass combustion experiments showed that methyl bromide was emitted in the smoke from various fuels tested. Methyl bromide was also found in smoke plumes from wildfires in savannas, chaparral, and boreal forest. Global emissions of methyl bromide from biomass burning are estimated to be in the range of 10 to 50 gigagrams per year, which is comparable to the amount produced by ocean emission and pesticide use and represents a major contribution ([approximately]30 percent) to the stratospheric bromine budget.

• OSTI ID: 7162822
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 263:5151; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
BIOMASS
BROMINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ENERGY SOURCES
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
LAYERS
LOSSES
METHYL BROMIDE
ORGANIC BROMINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OZONE LAYER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SYNTHESIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES