Biomass Burning in the Tropics: Impact on Atmospheric Chemistry and Biogeochemical Cycles
@article{Crutzen1990BiomassBI, title={Biomass Burning in the Tropics: Impact on Atmospheric Chemistry and Biogeochemical Cycles}, author={Paul J. Crutzen and Meinrat O. Andreae}, journal={Science}, year={1990}, volume={250}, pages={1669 - 1678} }
Biomass burning is widespread, especially in the tropics. It serves to clear land for shifting cultivation, to convert forests to agricultural and pastoral lands, and to remove dry vegetation in order to promote agricultural productivity and the growth of higher yield grasses. Furthermore, much agricultural waste and fuel wood is being combusted, particularly in developing countries. Biomass containing 2 to 5 petagrams of carbon is burned annually (1 petagram = 1015 grams), producing large…
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