Abstract
The large-scale influence of biomass burning on regional and global atmospheric chemistries is discussed. A literature review focuses on biomass burning practices and resulting emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other trace gases. The LRT and chemistry of smoke plumes is covered, as are major environmental effects of such emissions. The latter include ozone pollution of the troposphere, perturbation of tropospheric oxidant cycles, climate change, acid deposition, and disruption of nutrient cycles and soil degradation. The impact of biomass burning on climate and the environment, particularly in the tropics, is shown to be of a magnitude comparable to the impacts of fossil fuel combustion emissions.