THE RELEASE OF METHYL-CHLORIDE FROM BIOMASS BURNING IN AUSTRALIA

An understanding of the global budget of methyl chloride, the most abundant halocarbon in the earth's atmosphere, is important because of its potential influence on stratospheric ozone. The major source of atmospheric methyl chloride is believed to be the oceans, releasing 1-8 multiplied by 10**1**2 g yr** minus **1, while urban sources and the combustion of vegetation are thought to release 1. 5-6 multiplied by 10**1**1 g yr** minus **1 and 4-10 multiplied by 10**1**1 g yr** minus **1 respectively. This study estimates the contribution from combustion of vegetation of bushfires in Australia. The aim of the work presented in this paper was to measure, experimentally, yields for methyl chloride released from Australian rural fuels and then use this data to estimate Australia's output from rural burning.