Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Atmospheric Brown Carbon Emission from Combustion Sources in China

• Published in: Chinese geographical science 2024-12, Vol.34 (6), p.993-1003
• Main Authors: Ouyang, Shuyu, Jiang, Ke, Xiong, Rui, Men, Yatai, Luo, Zhihan, Xing, Ran, Shen, Guofeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air quality; Climate change; Climate system; Combustion; Earth and Environmental Science; Emission inventories; Geography; Population distribution; Spatial distribution
• ISSN: 1002-0063; 1993-064X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11769-024-1463-4

Atmospheric Brown Carbon (BrC) with strong wavelength-dependence light-absorption ability can significantly affect radiative forcing. Highly resolved emission inventories with lower uncertainties are important premise and essential in scientifically evaluating impacts of emissions on air quality, human health and climate change. This study developed a bottom-up inventory of primary BrC from combustion sources in China from 1960 to 2016 with a spatial resolution at 0.1° × 0.1°, based on compiled emission factors and detailed activity data. The primary BrC emission in China was about 593 Gg (500–735 Gg as interquartile range) in 2016, contributing to 7% (5%–8%) of a previously estimated global total BrC emission. Residential fuel combustion was the largest source of primary BrC in China, with the contribution of 67% as the national average but ranging from 25% to 99% among different provincial regions. Significant spatial disparities were also observed in the relative shares of different fuel types. Coal combustion contribution varied from 8% to 99% across different regions. Heilongjiang and North China Plain had high emissions of primary BrC. Generally, on the national scale, spatial distribution of BrC emission density per area was aligned with the population distribution. Primary BrC emission from combustion sources in China have been declined since a peak of ∼1300 Gg in 1980, but the temporal trends were distinct in different sectors. The high-resolution inventory developed here enables radiative forcing simulations in future atmospheric models so as to promote better understanding of carbonaceous aerosol impacts in the Earth’s climate system and to develop strategies achieving co-benefits of human health protection and climate change.