EFFECTS OF BIOMASS BURNING ON ISOPRENE EMISSION RATIOS

Abstract

Biogenic volatile organic compounds play a key role in ecological functions and influence atmospheric chemistry and regional climate. This study investigated how specific environmental conditions in the Pantanal, such as seasonal hydrological patterns and fires, influence isoprene emissions compared to the Amazon. Campaigns conducted in 2016 and 2017 during the dry season correlated isoprene emissions with meteorological factors, such as temperature and solar radiation, and assessed the impact of fires. It was observed that in 2017, isoprene emissions in the Pantanal were lower than in 2016, due to lower temperatures, lower solar radiation and higher oxidative capacity of the atmosphere caused by fires. In contrast, in the Amazon, emissions were consistently higher in 2016, reflecting favorable environmental conditions and greater density and diversity of vegetation in the biome. These results confirm that isoprene emissions in the Pantanal are strongly modulated by its specific environmental conditions, highlighting the influence of fires on the atmospheric chemistry of isoprene. The conclusions highlight the need for policies that address environmental degradation and promote the conservation of Pantanal ecosystems, ensuring their resilience and the continuity of essential ecosystem services, both for local communities and for mitigating global climate change.