Earth and Planetary Sciences · Atmospheric Science
Amazon droughts were linked to stronger wildfire pollution during the dry season, according to a study covering 2010 to 2015. The researchers estimate that fire-related exposure to fine particles and ozone raised premature mortality more in drought years than in other years.
More efficient nitrogen management could improve air quality and reduce premature deaths while providing long-term climate and ecosystem benefits, according to simulations with two global climate models. The researchers also find a modest, temporary climate penalty before lower nitrous oxide emissions produce longer-term benefits.
Measurements in Missoula, Montana, found that aged wildfire smoke contained substantially more fine particles, carbon monoxide and chemical pollutants than a widely used atmospheric model predicted. The researchers estimated that an annually recurring 2020-style fire season would raise excess lifetime cancer risk to about 100 in 1 million, while the model understated that risk by about 40 percent.
