Emission of Air Pollutants from Crop Residue Burning in India

• Published in: Aerosol and Air Quality Research 2014-02, Vol.14 (1), p.422-430
• Main Authors: Jain, Niveta, Bhatia, Arti, Pathak, Himanshu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1680-8584; 2071-1409
• DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.2013.01.0031

Agricultural crop residue burning contribute towards the emission of greenhouse gases (CO 2 , N 2 O, CH 4 ), air pollutants (CO, NH 3 , NO x , SO 2 , NMHC, volatile organic compounds), particulates matter and smoke thereby posing threat to human health. In the present study a state-wise inventory of crop residue burnt in India and the air pollutants emitted was prepared using the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) national inventory preparation guidelines for the year 2008–09. Total amount of residue generated in 2008–09 was 620 Mt out of which ~15.9% residue was burnt on farm. Rice straw contributed 40% of the total residue burnt followed by wheat straw (22%) and sugarcane trash (20%). Burning of crop residues emitted 8.57 Mt of CO, 141.15 Mt of CO 2 , 0.037 Mt of SO x , 0.23 Mt of NO x , 0.12 Mt of NH 3 and 1.46 Mt NMVOC, 0.65 Mt of NMHC, 1.21 Mt of particulate matter for the year 2008–09. The variability of 21.46% in annual emission of air pollutants was observed from 1995 to 2009.