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Bhattarai H, Tai APK, Val Martin M, Yung DHY. Responses of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) air quality to future climate, land use, and emission changes: Insights from modeling across shared socioeconomic pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174611. [PMID: 38992356 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution induced by fine particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) poses a significant challenge for global air quality management. Understanding how factors such as climate change, land use and land cover change (LULCC), and changing emissions interact to impact PM2.5 remains limited. To address this gap, we employed the Community Earth System Model and examined both the individual and combined effects of these factors on global surface PM2.5 in 2010 and projected scenarios for 2050 under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Our results reveal biomass-burning and anthropogenic emissions as the primary drivers of surface PM2.5 across all SSPs. Less polluted regions like the US and Europe are expected to experience substantial PM2.5 reduction in all future scenarios, reaching up to ~5 μg m-3 (70 %) in SSP1. However, heavily polluted regions like India and China may experience varied outcomes, with a potential decrease in SSP1 and increase under SSP3. Eastern China witness ~20 % rise in PM2.5 under SSP3, while northern India may experience ~70 % increase under same scenario. Depending on the region, climate change alone is expected to change PM2.5 up to ±5 μg m-3, while the influence of LULCC appears even weaker. The modest changes in PM2.5 attributable to LULCC and climate change are associated with aerosol chemistry and meteorological effects, including biogenic volatile organic compound emissions, SO2 oxidation, and NH4NO3 formation. Despite their comparatively minor role, LULCC and climate change can still significantly shape future air quality in specific regions, potentially counteracting the benefits of emission control initiatives. This study underscores the pivotal role of changes in anthropogenic emissions in shaping future PM2.5 across all SSP scenarios. Thus, addressing all contributing factors, with a primary focus on reducing anthropogenic emissions, is crucial for achieving sustainable reduction in surface PM2.5 levels and meeting sustainable pollution mitigation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemraj Bhattarai
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Graduate Division of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amos P K Tai
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Graduate Division of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Maria Val Martin
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - David H Y Yung
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Graduate Division of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Holder AL, Sullivan AP. Emissions, Chemistry, and the Environmental Impacts of Wildland Fire. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39133033 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
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Morera-Gómez Y, Armas-Camejo A, Santamaría JM, Alonso-Hernández CM, Lasheras E, Widory D, Elustondo D. Chemical and C and N stable isotope compositions of three species of epiphytic Tillandsia in a Caribbean coastal zone: air pollution sources and biomonitoring implications. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2024; 60:141-161. [PMID: 38270129 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2024.2304756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
We characterized the elemental and C and N stable isotope compositions of Tillandsia fasciculata Sw., Tillandsia balbisiana Schult. & Schult.f. and Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. samples collected in Cienfuegos (Cuba). Results showed high enrichment factors for S, Hg, Cd, Pb, P, Zn, Cu, Mo, Sb and Ca in all Tillandsia species, indicating inputs from local anthropogenic activities (road traffic, industries and cement production). Carbon concentrations and δ13C varied from 38.3-47.7 % and -20.4 to -13.4 ‰ within the three species, respectively. δ13C showed seasonal dependence with the dry and wet periods and more 13C-depleted values in urban/industrial areas, coherent with the input of anthropogenic emissions. Nitrogen concentrations (0.4-1.3 %) and δ15N values (-9.9-4.4 ‰) exhibit larger variations and are positively correlated in the three species. The most positive δ15N in T. recurvata (-0.2-4.4 ‰) are attributed to contributions from industrial activities and road traffic. In fact, both δ15N and total nitrogen (TN) values increase in sites with higher road traffic and show significant correlations with typical road traffic and industrial tracers. Finally, we calculate an average total nitrogen deposition rate of 4.4 ± 2.3 kg ha-1 a-1 from N content in T. recurvata, similar to the existing values determined in the region by field measurements, but higher than the global terrestrial average.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Morera-Gómez
- Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente BIOMA, Pamplona, España
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
| | - Alejandro Armas-Camejo
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
- Research and Development Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | | | - Carlos Manuel Alonso-Hernández
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
| | - Esther Lasheras
- Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente BIOMA, Pamplona, España
| | - David Widory
- Geotop/Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Canada
| | - David Elustondo
- Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente BIOMA, Pamplona, España
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Diao X, Widory D, Ram K, Du E, Wan X, Gao S, Pei Q, Wu G, Kang S, Wang Z, Wang X, Cong Z. Attributing Atmospheric Phosphorus in the Himalayas: Biomass Burning vs Mineral Dust. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:459-467. [PMID: 38152050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric phosphorus is a vital nutrient for ecosystems whose sources and fate are still debated in the fragile Himalayan region, hindering our comprehension of its local ecological impact. This study provides novel insights into atmospheric phosphorus based on the study of total suspended particulate matter at the Qomolangma station. Contrary to the prevailing assumptions, we show that biomass burning (BB), not mineral dust, dominates total dissolved phosphorus (TDP, bioavailable) deposition in this arid region, especially during spring. While total phosphorus is mainly derived from dust (77% annually), TDP is largely affected by the transport of regional biomass-burning plumes from South Asia. During BB pollution episodes, TDP causing springtime TDP fluxes alone accounts for 43% of the annual budget. This suggests that BB outweighs dust in supplying bioavailable phosphorus, a critical nutrient, required to sustain Himalayas' ecological functions. Overall, this first-hand field evidence refines the regional and global phosphorus budget by demonstrating that BB emission, while still unrecognized, is a significant source of P, even in the remote mountains of the Himalayas. It also reveals the heterogeneity of atmospheric phosphorus deposition in that region, which will help predict changes in the impacted ecosystems as the deposition patterns vary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Diao
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - David Widory
- Geotop/Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 201 Ave Président Kennedy, Montréal QC H2X 3Y7, Canada
| | - Kirpa Ram
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Enzai Du
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shaopeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qiaomin Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Guangming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zhong Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhiyuan Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
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Zheng H, Wan X, Kang S, Chen P, Li Q, Maharjan L, Guo J. Molecular characterization of organic aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau: Spatiotemporal variations, sources, and potential implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122832. [PMID: 37913981 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic aerosols have profound and far-reaching influences on the Earth's climate, ecosystems, environmental quality, and public health. Elucidating the precise composition and sources of these aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau, a region highly sensitive to climate change and vulnerable to ecosystems, is critically important. Sixteen organic molecular tracers in aerosols were quantified using solvent extraction-BSTFA derivatization, and GC/MS analysis at six sites over the Tibetan Plateau during 2014 and 2016. Average total tracer concentration was 32.5 ± 20.1 ng m-3. The highest levels of biomass burning tracers (anhydrosugars and aromatic acids) were found at southeastern Tibetan Plateau site Yulong (20.8 ± 21.3 ng m-3) followed by the western site Ngari (13.3 ± 10.6 ng m-3). Biomass burning tracers decreased from southern sites like Everest (9.50 ± 10.5 ng m-3) to northern aeras such as Laohugou (2.59 ± 2.19 ng m-3). Biomass burning tracers peaked in non-monsoon seasons while primary saccharides and sugar alcohols predominated during monsoon months. Using tracer-based methods, biomass burning contributed 0.4%-8.4% of organic carbon over the plateau, with higher non-monsoon contributions (3.6% ± 3.7%). Backward air mass trajectories and fire spots indicated South Asian biomass burning impacts on organic aerosols at western, southern, and southeastern Tibetan Plateau sites, particularly in non-monsoon periods. Fungal spores and plant debris comprised 0.6%-6.3% and 0.3%-1.2% of organic carbon respectively, with higher monsoon contributions (4.2% ± 4.7%) of fungal spores. Secondary organic carbon was estimated to contribute substantially (45.5%-73.5%) over the plateau but requires further investigation. These results provide insights into pollution mitigation and the assessments of climate and ecology changes for the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengfei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Quanlian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Linda Maharjan
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Junming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Bhattarai H, Tai APK, Val Martin M, Yung DHY. Impacts of changes in climate, land use, and emissions on global ozone air quality by mid-21st century following selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167759. [PMID: 37832689 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Surface ozone (O3) is a major air pollutant and greenhouse gas with significant risks to human health, vegetation, and climate. Uncertainties around the impacts of various critical factors on O3 is crucial to understand. We used the Community Earth System Model to investigate the impacts of land use and land cover change (LULCC), climate, and emissions on global O3 air quality under selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Our findings show that increasing forest cover by 20 % under SSP1 in East China, Europe, and the eastern US leads to higher isoprene emissions leading 2-5 ppb increase in summer O3 levels. Climate-induced meteorological changes, like rising temperatures, further enhance BVOC emissions and increase O3 levels by 10-20 ppb in urban areas with high NOx levels. However, higher BVOC emissions can reduce O3 levels by 5-10 ppb in remote environments. Future NOx emissions control reduces O3 levels by 5-20 ppb in the US and Europe in all SSPs, but reductions in NOx and changes in oxidant titration increase O3 in southeast China in SSP5. Increased NOx emissions in southern Africa and India significantly elevate O3 levels up to 15 ppb under different SSPs. Climate change is equally important as emissions changes, sometimes countering the benefits of emissions control. The combined effects of emissions, climate, and land cover result in worse O3 air quality in northern India (+40 %) and East China (+20 %) under SSP3 due to anthropogenic NOx and climate-induced BVOC emissions. Over the northern hemisphere, surface O3 decreases due to reduced NOx emissions, although climate and land use changes can increase O3 levels regionally. By 2050, O3 levels in most Asian regions exceed the World Health Organization safety limit for over 150 days per year. Our study emphasizes the need to consider complex interactions for effective air pollution control and management in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemraj Bhattarai
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Graduate Division of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amos P K Tai
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Graduate Division of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Maria Val Martin
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - David H Y Yung
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Graduate Division of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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