Impact of Amazonian Fires on Atmospheric CO2

Amazon rainforest fires have significant environmental and societal impacts, but the mechanism and impact of the fires on the regional and global carbon cycles have not been fully understood. Over the rainforest, less precipitation, higher surface temperature, and enhanced mid-tropospheric sinking air over the eastern part of the Amazon characterized the fire/dry season. These meteorological conditions will facilitate more fires in the Amazon rainforest. Using the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 column CO2, we notice that there are similar to 2 ppm more CO2 over the Amazon compared with the surrounding area during the fire season. The higher concentrations of atmospheric CO2 are related to the surface biomass burning, enhanced sinking air over the eastern part of the Amazon, and surface winds. Results from this study can help us better understand the carbon sources and sinks over the Amazon during the fire/dry season.

Automated summary

This study found that during the Amazon rainforest fire season, the atmospheric CO2 concentration is about 2 ppm higher than in surrounding areas, mainly due to surface biomass burning, enhanced sinking air over the eastern part of the Amazon, and surface winds.