Chapter 18 - Biomass burning emission and impacts on air pollution in China

Abstract

This chapter presents the current state of biomass burning in China. An overview of the emission characteristics and inventory of air pollutants from biomass burning in China, and the impacts of biomass burning on air quality, human health, and climate change is presented. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for the recycling of agricultural residue to reduce the impact of biomass burning on air quality and human health. China is largely an agricultural country where agricultural burning is a common practice; agricultural straw and firewood are the major biomass sources, contributing more than 90% of various atmospheric pollutants. Emissions from biomass burning are dominated by PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5μm or less), which include high concentrations of trace inorganic species such as K (potassium) and Cl (chlorine). Biomass burning shows an obvious spatial and temporal pattern in China. The majority of burning and subsequent emissions are observed in Eastern China, Northern China Plain, Northeastern China, and Southern China. Two distinct peaks occur in the time series associated with the summer and autumn harvest periods (June and October), followed by a smaller peak in April. In China, extensive agricultural open-field straw burning causes serious air pollution events. Agricultural burning and regional haze follow similar temporal and spatial patterns over China, and the impacts of biomass burning on human health and climate mainly relate to the chemical species emitted from biomass combustion. To reduce the impacts of biomass burning on air quality and human health, we propose some solutions for alternative uses of agricultural straw. This review of biomass burning and its impacts is needed to bring this issue to the attention of governments and the wider research community. This chapter provides a better understanding of the current trends that lead to air control in biomass burning regions in China.