Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2024) | Viewed by 14572

Special Issue Editors

1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
2. BUCT Institute for Carbon-Neutrality of Chinese Industries, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: emission inventory; air quality model; environmental health risks; carbon emission

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Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: VOCs emission; VOCs treatment; atmospheric chemistry; air pollution

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue is to describe the recent advances made in the field of emission inventory, air quality modeling, environmental health risks, and carbon emissions. Emission inventory and air quality models play an important role in assessing air pollution and formulating control policies. So far, researchers have established emission inventories at different scales around the world and used air quality models to study the migration and transformation of air pollutants and their health effects on the population. Emission inventories include, but are not limited to, anthropogenic emission inventories, carbon emission inventories, urban emission inventories, and industry emission inventories. The latest applications of satellite data and emission inventories are also involved and considered. Air quality models are used for forecasting purposes and include mainstream models such as CALPUFF, CMAQ, and CAMx. For the study of environmental health risks, researchers should provide enough samples to prove the scientificity of their models.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include but are not limited to:

  • Emission inventories (anthropogenic emission inventory, carbon emission inventory, urban emission inventory, and industry emission inventory);
  • Air quality models (CALPUFF, CMAQ, CAMx, etc.);
  • The applications of satellite data and emission inventories;
  • Environmental health risks.

Dr. Xin Bo
Dr. Zhongjun Xu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • emission inventory
  • air quality model
  • environmental health risks
  • satellite data and emission inventories
  • carbon emission

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4575 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in University Dormitories in China
by Yanpeng Wu, Xiaoyu Li, Sheng Zhao, Qianglong Wang, Shanxin Wang, Liyang Yu and Faming Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(5), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050586 - 11 May 2024
Viewed by 914
Abstract
Most studies on Chinese dormitories are carried out in summer, while few focus on a transition season or winter. This study evaluated the air quality of a student dormitory in a university in the Beijing area by using a questionnaire survey and on-site [...] Read more.
Most studies on Chinese dormitories are carried out in summer, while few focus on a transition season or winter. This study evaluated the air quality of a student dormitory in a university in the Beijing area by using a questionnaire survey and on-site measurements. The CO2 concentration was used as an indoor air quality evaluation index to characterize the freshness of the air, and different window opening conditions in the dormitory were simulated, with corresponding improvement plans proposed. The results of this study revealed that the air quality and thermal comfort of the student dormitories during a transition season and winter fell short of expectations. According to the survey, students who opened their windows frequently had a better subjective perception of the air quality. However, due to the large temperature difference between day and night, more than 80% of the students felt too cold when opening the windows. For daytime conditions, the area of unilateral ventilation window opening should not be less than 0.39 m2, the area of bilateral ventilation window opening should not be less than 0.13 m2, and the time taken to close the windows and doors should not exceed the maximum ventilation interval. Empirical equations were fitted for nighttime conditions based on the CO2 concentration, number of people in the room, and window opening area, resulting in a reasonable window opening area of 0.349 m2~0.457 m2. In sum, this study assessed the air quality status within typical university dormitories across varying seasons, gaining a clear understanding of how different ventilation strategies and occupant densities influence air freshness and thermal comfort. Based on these insights, a practical and optimized window area recommendation was formulated to enhance the indoor environmental quality in these dormitories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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20 pages, 10413 KiB  
Article
Fugitive Emission Characteristics of Fume and Dust from Short-Process Electric Furnace Tap Hole and Optimization of Dust Hood
by Yanpeng Wu, Shanshan Luan and Xiaoyu Li
Atmosphere 2023, 14(12), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14121829 - 15 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1183
Abstract
Due to the advantages of a short cycle, low investment and low energy consumption per ton of steel, short-process electric furnace steelmaking is about to welcome a golden period of rapid development in China. During the operation of the electric furnace, a large [...] Read more.
Due to the advantages of a short cycle, low investment and low energy consumption per ton of steel, short-process electric furnace steelmaking is about to welcome a golden period of rapid development in China. During the operation of the electric furnace, a large amount of smoke and dust is generated. Most studies focus on organized emissions, and the impact of unorganized emissions in workshops on the environment cannot be ignored. This paper evaluates the thermal environment in the electric furnace steelmaking workshop based on the analytic hierarchy process and obtains the influence weight of the fugitive emission location. The mass concentration of dust at each measuring point increased by 1.17 mg/m3 on average, and the concentration of unorganized emission dust near the outlet was 23.572 mg/m3. The numerical simulation calculation model is established by the CFD method, a fixed initial jet velocity is set, the initial velocity of the ladle soot plume is changed, and the inclination angle, arrangement height and dust removal air volume of the dust hood are respectively adjusted in different tapping periods. The impact of simulation on the efficiency of dust collection for different dust removal hood configurations was investigated, considering variations in inclination angle, arrangement height and dust removal airflow. The optimal structural parameters for the dust removal hood were determined to be an inclination angle of 60° and an arrangement height of 2.4 m, and an optimal dust removal airflow was determined to be 110,000 m3/h. This study provides a theoretical foundation for engineering practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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17 pages, 3813 KiB  
Article
Clearing the Air: Assessing the Effectiveness of Emission Policy in Qinhuangdao’s Key Industries
by Wanyue Shan, Shaobo Chen, Gang Wang, Jianhui Li and Xin Bo
Atmosphere 2023, 14(8), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14081218 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1360
Abstract
China has successively put forward ultra-low emission (ULE) transformation plans to reduce the air pollutant emissions of industrial pollutants since 2014. To assess the benefits of the ULE policy on regional air quality for Qinhuangdao, this study developed an emission inventory of nine [...] Read more.
China has successively put forward ultra-low emission (ULE) transformation plans to reduce the air pollutant emissions of industrial pollutants since 2014. To assess the benefits of the ULE policy on regional air quality for Qinhuangdao, this study developed an emission inventory of nine atmospheric pollutants in 2016 and evaluated the effectiveness of the emission policy in Qinhuangdao’s key industries under different scenarios with an air quality model (CALPUFF). The emissions of air pollutants in 2016 were as follows: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted 48.91 kt/year, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emitted 86.83 kt/year, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted 52.69 kt/year, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) emitted 302.01 and 116.85 kt/year, carbon monoxide (CO) emitted 1208.80 kt/year, ammonia (NH3) emitted 62.87 kt/year, black carbon (BC) emitted 3.79 kt/year, and organic carbon (OC) emitted 2.72 kt/year, respectively. The results showed that at the regional level in 2025, the iron and steel industry under the PPC (Peak Production Capacity) scenario had the highest potential for reducing SO2 and NOx emissions, while the cement industry under the PPC scenario excelled in reducing PM10 emissions. As for the industrial level in 2025, the flat glass industry under the ULE scenario would reduce the most SO2 emitted, while the iron and steel industry and the cement industry under the PPC scenario demonstrated the best reduction in NOx and PM10 emissions, respectively. Furthermore, the average annual contribution concentration of SO2, NOx, and PM10 in the air monitoring stations of Qinhuangdao under the PPC scenario was significantly lower than that under the BAU scenario revealed by air quality simulation. It can be concluded that the emission policy in Qinhuangdao will help improve the air quality. This study can provide scientific support for policymakers to implement the ULE policy in industrial undeveloped cities and tourist cities such as Qinhuangdao in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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22 pages, 3046 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Source Apportionment of PM in Handan—A Case Study during the COVID-19
by Mushui Shu, Xiaohui Ji, Yu Wang, Yan Dou, Pengyao Zhou, Zhizhen Xu, Ling Guo, Mo Dan, Ding Ding and Yifei Hu
Atmosphere 2023, 14(4), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14040680 - 4 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2064
Abstract
Handan is a typical city affected by regional particulate pollution. In order to investigate particulate matter (PM) characterization, source contributions and health risks for the general populations, we collected PM samples at two sites affected by a pollution event (12–18 May 2020) during [...] Read more.
Handan is a typical city affected by regional particulate pollution. In order to investigate particulate matter (PM) characterization, source contributions and health risks for the general populations, we collected PM samples at two sites affected by a pollution event (12–18 May 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzed the major components (SNA, OCEC, WSIIs, and metal elements). A PCA-MLR model was used for source apportionment. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks caused by metal elements in the PM were assessed. The results show that the renewal of old neighborhoods significantly influences local PM, and primarily the PM10; the average contribution to PM10 was 27 μg/m3. The source apportionment has indicated that all other elements came from dust, except Cd, Pb and Zn, and the contribution of the dust source to PM was 60.4%. As PM2.5 grew to PM10, the PM changed from basic to acidic, resulting in a lower NH4+ concentration in PM10 than PM2.5. The carcinogenic risk of PM10 was more than 1 × 10−6 for both children and adults, and the excess mortality caused by the renewal of the community increased by 23%. Authorities should pay more attention to the impact of renewal on air quality. The backward trajectory and PSCF calculations show that both local sources and short-distance transport contribute to PM—local sources for PM10, and short-distance transport in southern Hebei, northern Henan and northern Anhui for PM2.5, SO2 and NO2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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20 pages, 30124 KiB  
Article
Impact of Anthropogenic Emission Reduction during COVID-19 on Air Quality in Nanjing, China
by Zehui Yao, Yong Wang, Xinfa Qiu and Fanling Song
Atmosphere 2023, 14(4), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14040630 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
To avoid the spread of COVID-19, China has implemented strict lockdown policies and control measures, resulting in a dramatic decrease in air pollution and improved air quality. In this study, the air quality model WRF-Chem and the latest MEIC2019 and MEIC2020 anthropogenic emission [...] Read more.
To avoid the spread of COVID-19, China has implemented strict lockdown policies and control measures, resulting in a dramatic decrease in air pollution and improved air quality. In this study, the air quality model WRF-Chem and the latest MEIC2019 and MEIC2020 anthropogenic emission inventories were used to simulate the air quality during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and the same period in 2019. By designing different emission scenarios, this study explored the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the concentration of air pollutants emitted by different sectors (industrial sector and transportation sector) in Nanjing for the first time. The results indicate that influenced by the COVID-19 lockdown policies, compared with the same period in 2019, the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 in Nanjing decreased by 15%, 17.1%, and 20.3%, respectively, while the concentration of O3 increased by 45.1% in comparison; the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 emitted by industrial sector decreased by 30.7%, 30.8% and 14.0% respectively; the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 emitted by transportation sector decreased by 15.6%, 15.7% and 26.2% respectively. The COVID-19 lockdown has a greater impact on the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 emitted by the industrial sector, while the impact on air pollutants emitted by the transportation sector is more reflected in the concentration of NO2. This study provides some theoretical basis for the treatment of air pollutants in different departments in Nanjing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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14 pages, 6817 KiB  
Article
Particle Size Matters: Distribution, Source, and Seasonality Characteristics of Airborne and Pathogenic Bacteria in Wastewater Treatment Plants
by Jianan Wan, Zhiruo Zhang, Yang Huo, Xianze Wang, Yifan Wang, Jinghui Wu and Mingxin Huo
Atmosphere 2023, 14(3), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14030465 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2090
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a crucial source of bioaerosols, which account for both environmental and health hazards. Although various culture-based studies on bioaerosols have been reported, little knowledge remains about distribution and potential risks for more omnipresent non-culturable bacterial aerosols. Here, in [...] Read more.
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a crucial source of bioaerosols, which account for both environmental and health hazards. Although various culture-based studies on bioaerosols have been reported, little knowledge remains about distribution and potential risks for more omnipresent non-culturable bacterial aerosols. Here, in summer, an eight-stage Andersen air sampler was applied to capture particles of various sizes from the atmospheric environment of eight treatment units from two WWTPs in northeastern China. Particles of various sizes in aeration tank (AT) were sampled in autumn and winter. The abundance and community composition of the bacterial aerosols were investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In order to explore the importance of particle size on community composition of bacterial aerosols, this study investigated the particle size distribution of bacterial aerosols in different treatment units. The results indicated that the sludge dewatering room was the major source of bacterial aerosols in both WWTPs, with the abundance of stage VII (0.65–1.1 μm) demonstrating a 4-fold to 9-fold increase when compared to any other treatment unit. The highest relative abundance of bacterial aerosols was in autumn, while the lowest was found in winter. However, most particles detected in autumn were larger than 4.7 µm in diameter, while submicron particles (less than 1.1 µm, over 40%) were detected primarily in winter. The most 15 dominant bacterial aerosol genera in were observed at submicron level, and about half of the genera (6 and 8) were detected as human pathogens, suggesting their easier penetration to human respiratory tracts. This study demonstrates that size distribution characteristics should be crucial information for the comprehensive assessment of the potential health risks of bacterial aerosols from WWTPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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17 pages, 16473 KiB  
Article
High Spatial Resolution Emission Inventory of Air Pollutants and Carbon in China’s Independent Coking Industry
by Xiaochun Chen, Jianhui Li, Min Jia, Shaobo Chen, Shangxuan Zhang, Xin Bo, Xue Feng and Guangxia Dong
Atmosphere 2023, 14(2), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020348 - 9 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2219
Abstract
China is the largest producer and exporter of coke globally, which means that it is very important to understand the characteristics of air pollutants and carbon emissions from China’s independent coking industry. This study was the first to establish a bottom-up inventory of [...] Read more.
China is the largest producer and exporter of coke globally, which means that it is very important to understand the characteristics of air pollutants and carbon emissions from China’s independent coking industry. This study was the first to establish a bottom-up inventory of the air pollutants and carbon emissions of China’s independent coking industry during 2001–2018 based on continuous emission monitoring system online monitoring data and unit-based corporate information. Based on the developed emission inventory, four scenarios were established to analyze potential emissions reduction of air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) in future. The emissions of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC) decreased by 62.11%, 63.41%, 72.85%, 63.41% and 63.41%, respectively. CO2, carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions increased by 355.51%, 355.51%, 355.51% and 99.74%, respectively. In 2018, PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx, BC, OC, CO, VOCs and CO2 emissions were, respectively. 45.20, 16.91, 63.84, 117.71, 5.07, 5.92, 554.91, 1026.58 Gg, and 176.88 Tg. Shanxi province made the greatest contributions to the total emissions of air pollutants and CO2 from this industry by 25.01%. The emission source that contributed most to PM2.5 (SO2 and NOX) emissions was coke pushing (quenching and the coke oven chimney respectively) in 2018. Under the ULE scenario (2018–2035), PM2.5 and SO2 emissions will reduce by more than 30%. Under the PCP scenario, PM2.5 and SO2 emissions will reduce by more than 55%. Under the CBP scenario, CO2 emissions will peak at 197.99 Tg in 2025 and decrease to 70% of the peak in 2035. The results showed the emission characteristics of air pollutants and CO2, future emission with several scenarios and cooperative reduction potential in China’s independent coking industry, which provides scientific support for the development of pollution control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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16 pages, 2045 KiB  
Article
Construction of Multipollutant Air Quality Health Index and Susceptibility Analysis Based on Mortality Risk in Beijing, China
by Yu Wang, Ding Ding, Xiaohui Ji, Xuelei Zhang, Pengyao Zhou, Yan Dou, Mo Dan and Mushui Shu
Atmosphere 2022, 13(9), 1370; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13091370 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1898
Abstract
Air pollution places a considerable disease burden on the public. Compared with the widely applied air quality index (AQI), the air quality health index (AQHI) provides a more comprehensive measure of multiple pollutants. In this study, AQHI was constructed using environmental data, meteorological [...] Read more.
Air pollution places a considerable disease burden on the public. Compared with the widely applied air quality index (AQI), the air quality health index (AQHI) provides a more comprehensive measure of multiple pollutants. In this study, AQHI was constructed using environmental data, meteorological data, and the daily mortality data of Beijing residents from 2018 to 2020. Factors increasing the susceptibility of the population to the health effects of air pollution were identified to aid the construction of a specific AQHI (S-AQHI) for susceptible populations. The findings indicated that older adults, women, and people with respiratory disease are more susceptible to the short-term health effects of air pollution. The relative deviation in the AQHI and S-AQHI for changes in daily mortality percentage of various specific populations ranged from only 1.4% to 10.3%, indicating the universality of the AQHI in its capacity to predict health risks. The Spearman coefficient of correlation between the AQHI and AQI was 0.78 (p < 0.01). Each increase in the interquartile range of the AQHI and AQI results in an increase of 1.894% and 1.029% in the total daily mortality, respectively, demonstrating the stronger capacity of the AQHI to predict daily mortality compared to the AQI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contributions of Emission Inventory to Air Quality)
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