Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 321, Issue 5893, Pages 1197-1200Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.1160978
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Funding
- European Union Marie Curie Excellence Grant [MEXT-CT-2006-042531]
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Several studies have attempted to determine the lower limit of atmospheric oxygen under which combustion can occur; however, none have been conducted within a fully controlled and realistic atmospheric environment. We performed experimental burns ( using pine wood, moss, matches, paper, and a candle) at 20 degrees C in O-2 concentrations ranging from 9 to 21% and at ambient and high CO2 (2000 parts per million) in a controlled environment room, which was equipped with a thermal imaging system and full atmospheric, temperature, and humidity control. Our data reveal that the lower O-2 limit for combustion should be increased from 12 to 15%. These results, coupled with a record of Mesozoic paleowildfires, are incompatible with the prediction of prolonged intervals of low atmospheric O-2 levels (10 to 12%) in the Mesozoic.
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