Levoglucosan, galactosan, and mannosan are specific biomass burning biomarkers which are generated during the pyrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose. These biomarkers, also named monosaccharide anhydrides (MAs), are thus useful to track modern and past biomass burning. (2/27)

Biomass burning affects continental vegetation and emits carbon dioxide and aerosols into the atmosphere, so it is important to monitor biomass burning properly. However, MAs geological records from sediments are scarce compared with, for instance, MAs studies in aerosols. (3/27)