Gas emissions, minerals, and tars associated with three coal fires, Powder River Basin, USA.

Ground-based surveys of three coal fires and airborne surveys of two of the fires were conducted near Sheridan, Wyoming. The fires occur in natural outcrops and in abandoned mines, all containing Paleocene-age subbituminous coals. Diffuse (carbon dioxide (CO(2)) only) and vent (CO(2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), and elemental mercury) emission estimates were made for each of the fires. Additionally, gas samples were collected for volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis and showed a large range in variation between vents. The fires produce locally dangerous levels of CO, CO(2), H(2)S, and benzene, among other gases. At one fire in an abandoned coal mine, trends in gas and tar composition followed a change in topography. Total CO(2) fluxes for the fires from airborne, ground-based, and rate of fire advancement estimates ranged from 0.9 to 780mg/s/m(2) and are comparable to other coal fires worldwide. Samples of tar and coal-fire minerals collected from the mouth of vents provided insight into the behavior and formation of the coal fires

Chapter 20 - Peat Fires in Ireland

Peatlands are one of Ireland's most characteristic natural features, making up about 17% of the Irish landscape. Their formation began at the end of the last glaciation (about 11,700years ago) and was initially confined to shallow lakes and wet hollows. However, over time there was a transition from open water to fen and then acid ombrotrophic raised bogs. Blanket bog also spread over extensive areas of poorly drained land in the uplands and western seaboard. This spread may have taken place in areas as early as 7000years ago but was more widespread by 4000years ago when the climate may have become wetter. Ireland's peatlands have been exploited for fuel over the last 400years, reducing the original extent of the peatland by almost 47%