Interprovincial Joint Prevention and Control of Open Straw Burning in Northeast China: Implications for Atmospheric Environment Management

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The theme of the article is sufficiently interesting in terms of both informational and applied aspects. A multitude of works is dedicated to the impact of emitted gases and aerosols on atmosphere during agricultural biomass combustion.

The article creates a good impression. A justification and relevance of the research are examined comprehensively, solutions were found. The work is based on modern data and methods of analysis. The theme is thoroughly explored, the research is well illustrated, the practical conclusions are obtained. The strength of the article is in the detailed analysis of temporal and regional changes in number of fires, and in the analysis of transfer of harmful substances with an explanation of the reasons for the results.

Some moments should be clarified in the article in more detail.

Paragraph Regional air quality under different straw burning scenarios.

Table 1. It is not clear if concentration of PM10, SO₂, NO₂ and CO is given at an average annual or for the periods of intensive straw burning (March-April, October-November). The title should contain this information.

Paragraph Is the implementation of straw control policy effective?

There should be some suggestions on modern technology of straw recycle besides prohibition on burning and simultaneous burning in multiple places. For instance, using straw for producing biofuels and biopolymers or as building material.

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

The article presents an important problem related to the emission of air pollutants - straw burning. It is an issue that is often underestimated, especially taking into account the transport of pollutants over long distances. Thanks to the use of comprehensive methods: fire risk assessment, advanced statistical analysis and the study of retrograde trajectories, the authors achieved an interesting result, mainly for social and political reasons - attempts to combine the PSCF simulation with the analysis of scenarios for the identification of potential sources of pollution.
If only for this important reason, in my opinion, the article should be published.

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

Based on meteorological data, air quality data and fire point data, the manuscript analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of agricultural straw incineration, discussed the changes of regional air quality under different scenarios and simulated the migration path of air pollutants, possible pollution sources and the migration contribution of external pollutants in major cities in Northeast China. It has certain significance, but there are still some problems:

1. The data processing process in Figure 2 (c) is not explained. For example, the spatial distribution map of fire points from 2001 to 2005, whether the fire point data used in the mapping is the total number or the annual average, and whether the number in the legend (such as 0-3) represents the quantity or density? Please add the relevant contents.
2. Line 46 "air mass backward trajectories" should specify the setting of key parameters of HYSPLIT model and PSCF method in this study, so that other readers can reproduce the study.
3. In the uncertainty analysis, it focuses on the uncertainty of fire point data, and does not discuss the result uncertainty caused by other factors. Please supplement the uncertainty of the emission source and the model.
4. The content of the manuscript is inconsistent with the title. It is suggested to modify the title. The original title is " Interprovincial joint prevention and control of open straw burning in Northeast China: A study based on satellite remote sensing ". In this manuscript, only the fire point data comes from satellite, and the focus is to simulate the transport path of air pollutants, possible pollution sources and the transport contribution of external pollutants in major cities in Northeast China by using HYSPLIT model and PSCF method.

5. Figure 4 and figure 5 are not clear, which are not conducive to reading. Please improve the resolution of these figures.
6. The novelty of the manuscript is low. Please clearly put forward the innovation points of the research. The authors stated that " Studies conducted on the interaction and joint prevention and control of open straw burning among provinces are rare", which is not an innovation.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

I agree to accept this manuscript!