Deposition of Potassium on Chimney Wall from Wood Stove Smoke: Implication for the Influence of Domestic Biomass Burning on Atmospheric Aerosols

Based on the field studies of biomass burning plumes in Alaska, we hypothesized that potassium (K) may be significantly scavenged, during wood stove burning, as deposits on the inner wall of the chimney where the temperature decreases with the height. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed chimney deposit samples collected from the inner wall of a chimney (6 m long) for the measurement of major ions and anhydrosugars including levoglucosan (Lev). Concentrations of K were found to be highest in the lower part of the chimney with a decreasing trend with height, whereas Lev showed an opposite trend with the lowest concentrations near the bottom of the chimney and an increase with height. We detected an anti-correlation between the two components in the chimney deposits, confirming that K is largely scavenged as a deposit within the chimney while Lev is significantly emitted to the ambient air. We propose that, using K/Lev mass ratios, the relative contributions of open fires and domestic wood burning to ambient aerosols can be evaluated.

Automated summary

Based on field studies in Alaska, it was hypothesized that potassium (K) is scavenged and deposited on the inner wall of the chimney during wood stove burning. Chimney deposit samples were collected and analyzed, revealing that K concentrations were highest in the lower part of the chimney and decreased with height, while levoglucosan (Lev) showed the opposite trend. An anti-correlation was observed between K and Lev in the chimney deposits, indicating that K is largely scavenged as a deposit while Lev is emitted to the ambient air. The K/Lev mass ratios can be used to evaluate the contributions of open fires and domestic wood burning to ambient aerosols.