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dc.contributor.authorKarp, A.T.
dc.contributor.authorHolman, Alex
dc.contributor.authorHopper, Peter
dc.contributor.authorGrice, Kliti
dc.contributor.authorFreeman, K.H.
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-24T04:55:25Z
dc.date.available2023-01-24T04:55:25Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.identifier.citationKarp, A.T. and Holman, A.I. and Hopper, P. and Grice, K. and Freeman, K.H. 2020. Fire distinguishers: Refined interpretations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for paleo-applications. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 289: pp. 93-113.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/90114
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.gca.2020.08.024
dc.description.abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), produced via incomplete combustion of organics, convey signatures of vegetation burned in the geologic past. New and published burn experiments reveal how the quantity, distributions, and isotopic abundances of fire-derived PAHs were influenced by fuel types, burn conditions, and also phase. PAH concentrations were higher in burn residues from moderate burn temperatures (400–500 °C), and significantly lower in residues from cooler (<300 °C) or hotter (>600 °C) conditions, especially when oxygen was limited. PAH forms tended to be smaller in smoke samples and larger in residues, consistent with molecular physical and chemical properties. Plant functional types were distinguished by relative amounts of retene and dimethyl phenanthrene isomers. Isotopically distinct photosynthetic pathways of the burned material were reflected in the δ13C values of PAHs, which faithfully captured biomass signatures as well as the ∼12‰ offset between C3 and C4 plant types. PAH size, alkylation, and isotope characteristics can differentiate combusted plant types and distinguish between air-borne and sedimentary transport mechanisms. New proxy approaches using PAH amounts, distributions, and isotope signatures can aid and refine interpretations of paleofire ecology in the geologic record.

dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherPERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
dc.relation.sponsoredbyhttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP130100577
dc.relation.sponsoredbyhttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LE110100119
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectScience & Technology
dc.subjectPhysical Sciences
dc.subjectGeochemistry & Geophysics
dc.subjectPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
dc.subjectCompound-specific delta C-13
dc.subjectPaleofire
dc.subjectExperimental biomass burning
dc.subjectCARBON ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION
dc.subjectMOLECULAR TRACERS
dc.subjectORGANIC-COMPOUNDS
dc.subjectPYROGENIC CARBON
dc.subjectEMISSION FACTORS
dc.subjectSOURCE IDENTIFICATION
dc.subjectCHEMICAL-COMPOSITION
dc.subjectLAKE-SEDIMENTS
dc.subjectBIOMASS
dc.subjectCHARCOAL
dc.titleFire distinguishers: Refined interpretations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for paleo-applications
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume289
dcterms.source.startPage93
dcterms.source.endPage113
dcterms.source.issn0016-7037
dcterms.source.titleGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
dc.date.updated2023-01-24T04:55:23Z
curtin.departmentSchool of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS)
curtin.accessStatusOpen access
curtin.facultyFaculty of Science and Engineering
curtin.contributor.orcidGrice, Kliti [0000-0003-2136-3508]
curtin.contributor.orcidHolman, Alex [0000-0001-5687-1268]
curtin.contributor.researcheridGrice, Kliti [L-2455-2016]
dcterms.source.eissn1872-9533
curtin.contributor.scopusauthoridGrice, Kliti [7005492625]
curtin.contributor.scopusauthoridHolman, Alex [55369807700]


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