Insights of Amazonian biomass burning sources using biomakers in the Andes Cordillera Region

This study investigates the potential of biomarkers (levoglucosan and galactosan) as proxies for wildfire activity in the Amazon and Bolivia, utilizing samples obtained from the Chacaltaya Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station situated in the Tropical Andes region. Preliminary analyses explore the associations between these biomarkers and wildfire data from the Brazilian Institute of Space Research (INPE) during the dry-to-wet transition phase (September to November). Two analytical approaches are used: one includes all particulate matter (PM) samples, including those impacted by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), while the other excludes ENSO-affected samples. The findings indicate that in normal years, without ENSO events, the galactosan biomarker is favorably associated with Bolivian flames and negatively associated with Amazon wildfires. Levoglucosan, on the other hand, appears to have a more complex relationship with Amazon wildfires. Further comprehensive investigations are warranted to enhance the understanding of biomass burning sources recorded in Tropical Andes glaciers and refine the interpretation of these biomarker records.