Airborne Dust From A Forest Fire
Transmitted Cross Polarized Light and Reflected Darkfield Illumination

Definition/Function:


Significance in the Environment:


Characteristic Features:
The soil containing iron compounds is fully oxidized, which turns the iron from light blue and/green to bright orange/red ferric iron. It takes only a small amount of iron compounds, a few percent, to turn the soil itself to orange or brick red.

Associated Particles:
Forest fires created strong winds that loft soil and other debris into the air. The winds created by the fire are ladden with Oxidized soil, charred wood, pollen grains, and other charred plant material.

References: