Forest Fire Burnt Clay
This is from a home impacted by a near approach of a large
forest fire. The fine grained coating of hemetite-stained
clay is characteristic of wild fire generated aerosols.
Transmitted Off Crossed Polarized Light and Reflected Darkfield Illumination
Definition/Function:
The burnt clay type particle in the forest fire aerosol is the result of the oxidation
of iron hydroxide concentrated on the surface primarily
by bacteria over time. In the heat of the forest fire the lofted soil particles are
heated and the iron hydroxide is converted to hemetite.
This is a very fine grained coating on the surface typically and is highly light
scattering for the red wavelengths.
Significance in the Environment:
Characteristic Features:
Associated Particles:
References:
