Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology / Fire-Induced Transformation of Organic Matter in Scots Pine Stand in Siberia

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology. 2023 16 (4)
Authors
Shapchenkova, Olga A.; Kukavskaya, Elena A.
Contact information
Shapchenkova, Olga A. : V. N. Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS – separate subdivision of the Federal Research Center“Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS” Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ; ORCID: 0000-0002-1392-5171; Kukavskaya, Elena A. : V. N. Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS – separate subdivision of the Federal Research Center“Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS” Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ORCID: 0000-0002-2805-2588
Keywords
forest fires; pyrogenic organic matter; thermal analysis
Abstract

In forest fires, considerable amounts of carbon are released to the atmosphere, yet part of the biomass is converted to pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM). Little is known about the amount and properties of PyOM in Siberian forests. We studied PyOM generated by a low to moderate severity wildfire in a Scots pine stand in Siberia using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC and TG of visibly completely charred (blackened) samples of the forest floor (litter layer L), down wood (d<1 cm) and outer bark were carried out in an oxidative atmosphere. The PyOM samples showed a significant loss of thermolabile components and enrichment in thermally recalcitrant aromatic compounds, as well as higher values of activation energy and enthalpy (H) of thermal degradation compared to unburned samples. Thermal characteristics of PyOM derived from various fuel types differed substantially. The litter PyOM was the most thermolabile, i.e. showed the lowest recalcitrance. The down wood and bark PyOM had higher thermal stability due to a greater content of aromatic structures, which was reflected by the thermal recalcitrance indexes (R 50 and Q3). The litter PyOM had a low carbon sequestration potential and therefore was more susceptible to degradation compared to down wood and bark PyOM, which showed an intermediate carbon sequestration potential

Pages
471–486
EDN
PWKCXI
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/152405

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