Ozone emission from biomass burning occurs due to the release of certain precursor gases and

subsequent photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Here's a breakdown of the process:

### 1. Release of Precursor Gases

When biomass, such as trees, grass, and agricultural waste, is burned, it releases a variety of gases
and particulate matter. Key precursor gases for ozone formation include:

- **Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):** These are released from the combustion of organic material.

- **Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):** These are emitted from the burning of vegetation and
other organic matter.

- **Carbon Monoxide (CO):** This is also released during the combustion process.

### 2. Photochemical Reactions

Once these precursor gases are released into the atmosphere, they can undergo a series of
photochemical reactions. The process involves the following steps:

- **Sunlight Initiation:** Sunlight, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light, plays a crucial role in initiating
the reactions between NOx and VOCs.

- **Formation of Ozone (O3):** Through a complex set of reactions, NOx and VOCs react in the
presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone.

### 3. Chemical Reaction Mechanism

The simplified mechanism for ozone formation involves several key steps:

1. **Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Photolysis:** NO2 absorbs UV light and dissociates into nitrogen oxide
(NO) and a free oxygen atom (O).

\[ \text{NO}_2 + \text{UV light} \rightarrow \text{NO} + \text{O} \]

2. **Ozone Formation:** The free oxygen atom can then react with molecular oxygen (O2) to form
ozone (O3).

\[ \text{O} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{O}_3 \]

3. **VOC Reactions:** VOCs participate in reactions that regenerate NO2 from NO, perpetuating the
cycle and allowing for continuous ozone formation as long as sunlight and precursor gases are
present.

### Impact of Biomass Burning

- **Local and Regional Air Quality:** The ozone formed from biomass burning can significantly
degrade air quality, contributing to smog formation and health issues such as respiratory problems.

- **Global Impact:** On a larger scale, the increased levels of ozone from widespread biomass
burning events can affect atmospheric chemistry and contribute to climate change.

### Mitigation and Management

Understanding the link between biomass burning and ozone formation is crucial for developing
strategies to manage and reduce air pollution. Measures such as controlled burns, alternative waste
disposal methods, and regulations on agricultural and forest management can help mitigate the
release of ozone precursors from biomass burning.