Widely used charcoal analysis method in paleo studies involving NaOCl results in loss of charcoal formed below 400°C

This study investigated the effects a dilute solution of bleach (4% sodium hypochlorite), has on charcoal. We were particularly interested in considering if charcoal formed under different conditions of pyrolysis was differentially affected by this treatment, which is commonly used for the quantification of charcoal in sediments. We first produced a series of charcoal samples, under laboratory conditions (at temperatures between 250°C and 800°C and under oxygen limited conditions) and then measured total surface area of charcoal before and after treatment in a solution of 4% bleach. We found that charcoal formed ⩽400°C showed nearly complete bleaching after 24 h, while high temperature charcoal (>400°C) was much more resistant. These results indicate this treatment bleaches charcoal formed at lower temperatures: this means particles charred at low temperature may not be quantified in common optical counting or image analysis methods. This could have serious ramifications for sediment-based paleofire research as low intensity fire may be lost from a record, and the resulting fire history biased towards high intensity (high temperature) fires. Our findings suggest the need for a new, non-destructive method for extracting charcoal from sediment.