Treesearch

The interfacial properties of the organic fraction of biomass burning aerosols (BBA), such as the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surfactant composition, may vary based on the origin and moisture content of the fuel and the resulting combustion conditions. Surfactant composition, fraction of total particle mass, surface tension minimums, and CMC values of organics extracted from fresh and aged BBA produced using fuel beds from Georgia ecoregions (Piedmont, Coastal Plain, and Blue Ridge) and with fuel moisture contents representative of prescribed fires or drought-induced wildfires...

This study investigated the speciation and aqueous dissolution of macronutrients in fire ash from diverse ecosystems and speciation of ash and smoke from laboratory burning, exploring the variations and their causes. The speciation of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) in fire ash from five globally distributed ecosystems was characterized by using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and sequential fractionation. Aqueous dissolution of the macronutrients was measured by batch experiments at acidic and alkaline pHs. The results showed that P existed mainly as Ca phosphates, Ca as...

Managers of northern hardwood forests in the Great Lakes region create gaps in the forest canopy of various sizes during harvesting to achieve different silvicultural objectives. Single-tree harvesting favors recruitment of shade-tolerant tree species by creating small gaps in the canopy, whereas group selection creates larger gaps that can favor shade-intolerant tree species. We evaluated changes in carabid beetle abundance and diversity in harvest-created gaps of five sizes (gap diameters of 6, 10, 20, 30, and 46 m) and uncut forests in northern Wisconsin where sugar maple (Acer saccharum...

Over 7,000 caddisfly specimens, representing 33 species in 10 families, were collected between sunset and sunrise on 12 nights: three nights each during early July and early August in both 2023 and 2024. Collections were made on the southwestern side of Drummond Island along the shoreline of Lake Huron. Sampling occurred for five minutes at 15-minute intervals from near sunset (21:00) to 01:00 and then once again at 03:00 and 05:00. Nocturnal flight periodicity was broadly similar between years and months, with mean caddisfly abundance and species richness peaking at about one hour after...

Pelletizing enhances competitiveness of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) as a fuel by increasing its bulk and energy density. However, LCB pellets are prone to degradation from moisture, have high ash, and pose safety risks due to carbon monoxide (CO) emissions during storage. Hot water extraction (HWE), a mild hydrothermal treatment particularly effective for angiosperms, removes most hemicelluloses (xylans), reduces ash, and increases lignin content in remaining HWE-LCB. Based on the current understanding of CO formation, these changes suggested that HWE could reduce CO emissions. In this...

The readership of ACS ES&T Air is undoubtedly familiar with the profound impacts of wildland-fire smoke on air quality and climate. It may be less familiar with the crucial role that wildland fires play in maintaining the ecological health of many forest types (McLauchlan et al., 2020). Wildland fires are generally categorized into wildfires and prescribed fires. On one hand, wildfires are unplanned wildland fires that occur either naturally or due to accidental or malicious human ignition. On the other hand, prescribed fires are wildland fires that are ignited intentionally to rejuvenate...

With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe in fire-prone regions affected by warmer and drier climate conditions, reducing hazardous fuels is increasingly recognized as a preventative strategy for promoting sustainability and safeguarding valued resources. Prescribed fire is one of the most cost-effective methods for reducing hazardous fuels and hence wildfire severity, yet empirical research on its effectiveness at minimizing damage to highly valued resources and assets (HVRAs) remains limited. The overarching objective of this study was to evaluate wildfire severity under differing...

This resource update contains the findings of a survey conducted on a sample of all primary wood-using mills in Wisconsin. It complements the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annual inventory of volume and removals. The survey was conducted to determine the amount and source of wood receipts and annual timber product imports/exports. Only primary wood-using mills were surveyed. Primary mills are those that process roundwood in log or bolt form or as chipped roundwood. Examples of industrial roundwood products are saw logs, pulpwood, veneer logs, poles, and logs used for composite board...

This resource update contains the findings of a survey conducted on a sample of all primary wood-using mills in West Virginia. It complements the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annual inventory of volume and removals. The survey was conducted to determine the amount and source of wood receipts and annual timber product imports/exports. Only primary wood-using mills were surveyed. Primary mills are those that process roundwood in log or bolt form or as chipped roundwood. Examples of industrial roundwood products are saw logs, pulpwood, veneer logs, poles, and logs used for composite...

This resource update contains the findings of a survey conducted on a sample of all primary wood-using mills in New Hampshire. It complements the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annual inventory of volume and removals. The survey was conducted to determine the amount and source of wood receipts and annual timber product imports/exports. Only primary wood-using mills were surveyed. Primary mills are those that process roundwood in log or bolt form or as chipped roundwood. Examples of industrial roundwood products are saw logs, pulpwood, veneer logs, poles, and logs used for composite...