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Impacts of Anthropogenic Emissions on 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 March 2026) | Viewed by 4116

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Interests: air pollution; air quality; emissions modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As we navigate the 21st century, the profound influence of human activities on our planet's atmosphere is undeniable.  Industrialization, urbanization, agricultural expansion, and ever-growing energy demands have fueled a surge in anthropogenic emissions, fundamentally altering the composition of the air we breathe. This Special Issue serves as a dedicated platform to explore the multifaceted and often complex consequences of these emissions on global and regional air quality.

The central aim of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive and cutting-edge overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the impacts of human-generated emissions on air quality. We seek to showcase the latest research, innovative methodologies, and critical analyses that illuminate the intricate links between various emission sources, atmospheric processes, and the resulting air quality challenges.

The scope of this Special Issue is deliberately broad and interdisciplinary, encompassing a wide range of relevant topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Source Characterization and Emission Inventories: Investigating the diverse sources of anthropogenic emissions, from combustion processes and industrial activities to agricultural practices and transportation sectors. This includes the development and refinement of emission inventories and the application of novel source apportionment techniques.
  • Atmospheric Transport, Transformation, and Dispersion of Pollutants: Exploring the complex atmospheric processes that govern the transport, chemical transformation, and dispersion of emitted pollutants. This encompasses studies utilizing atmospheric models, observational data, and advanced analytical methods to understand pollutant pathways and fates.
  • Impacts on Human Health: Examining the direct and indirect health consequences of air pollution exposure, including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, neurological effects, and other adverse health outcomes. We encourage studies that quantify health burdens, explore vulnerable populations, and investigate the synergistic effects of multiple pollutants.
  • Impacts on Ecosystems and the Environment: Investigating the effects of air pollution on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including damage to vegetation, acidification, eutrophication, and biodiversity loss. This also encompasses research on the impacts of air pollution on climate change and the interactions between air quality and the Earth system.
  • Impacts on Visibility and Climate Forcing: Addressing the effects of air pollutants on atmospheric visibility and their role in climate forcing through radiative effects. This includes studies on aerosols, greenhouse gases, and their combined impacts.
  • Regional and Global Air Quality Assessments: Presenting studies that assess air quality trends and challenges at various spatial scales, ranging from urban environments to regional and global perspectives. This includes comparative analyses of air quality issues across different geographical regions and socioeconomic contexts.
  • Mitigation and Policy Implications: Exploring effective strategies and policy interventions for reducing anthropogenic emissions and improving air quality. This includes assessments of technological solutions, regulatory frameworks, and socio-economic considerations for achieving cleaner air.
  • Emerging Pollutants and Challenges: Addressing emerging air quality concerns, such as microplastics in the atmosphere, the impacts of new industrial processes, and the changing nature of urban air pollution in rapidly developing regions.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between anthropogenic emissions and air quality. We hope to provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and the wider community to inform effective strategies for mitigating air pollution and safeguarding both human and environmental health. We believe that the contributions within this Special Issue will serve as a crucial resource for navigating the challenges of air quality in a rapidly changing world and inspire further research and action towards a cleaner, healthier atmosphere for all.

We, as Guest Editors, are thrilled to present this collection of timely and impactful research and invite you to delve into the diverse perspectives and findings contained within. We trust that this Special Issue will be a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue and efforts to address the critical issue of anthropogenic emissions and their impact on air quality.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Sergio Ibarra-Espinosa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • anthropogenic emissions
  • air quality
  • air pollution
  • atmospheric composition
  • environmental pollution

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1957 KB  
Article
Quantifying the Impact of High Emitters on Vehicle Emissions: An Analysis of Ecuador’s Inspection and Maintenance Program
by Sergio Ibarra-Espinosa, Zamir Mera, Karl Ropkins and Jose Antonio Mantovani Junior
Atmosphere 2026, 17(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17010031 - 25 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 770
Abstract
On-road vehicles are a primary source of urban air pollution. It is known that high-emitting vehicles represent a fraction of the fleet but contribute significantly to the total emissions. Usually, road transportation emission inventories do not capture the impact of these types of [...] Read more.
On-road vehicles are a primary source of urban air pollution. It is known that high-emitting vehicles represent a fraction of the fleet but contribute significantly to the total emissions. Usually, road transportation emission inventories do not capture the impact of these types of vehicles, underestimating emissions. This study introduces a simple method to refine vehicle emission inventories by incorporating data from Ecuador’s Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program. We analyzed I/M data from Quito to develop a correction factor for the Vehicular Emissions INventory (VEIN) model, accounting for the higher emissions from vehicles that fail inspection. Our analysis shows that while less than 10% of gasoline and 20% of diesel vehicles failed inspection, their emissions were substantially higher; for instance, accounting for reproved vehicles produced 60% more Carbon Monoxide (CO), 18% more Non-Methanic Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOC), 40% more Particulate Matter with aerodynamical diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), and 34% more or lower than 10 µm (PM10). These findings demonstrate that incorporating I/M data is crucial for accurately quantifying vehicular pollution. The proposed methodology offers a way to create more accurate emission estimates, providing a tool for policymakers to manage air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Anthropogenic Emissions on Air Quality)
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18 pages, 3353 KB  
Article
An Evaluation of a Novel Air Pollution Abatement System for Ammonia Emissions Reduction in a UK Livestock Building
by Andrea Pacino, Antonino La Rocca, Donata Magrin and Fabio Galatioto
Atmosphere 2025, 16(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16070869 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 2496
Abstract
Agriculture and animal feeding operations are responsible for 87% of ammonia emissions in the UK. Controlling NH3 concentrations below 20 ppm is crucial to preserve workers’ and livestock’s well-being. Therefore, ammonia control systems are required for maintaining adequate air quality in livestock [...] Read more.
Agriculture and animal feeding operations are responsible for 87% of ammonia emissions in the UK. Controlling NH3 concentrations below 20 ppm is crucial to preserve workers’ and livestock’s well-being. Therefore, ammonia control systems are required for maintaining adequate air quality in livestock facilities. This study assessed the ammonia reduction efficiency of a novel air pollution abatement (APA) system used in a pig farm building. The monitoring duration was 11 weeks. The results were compared with the baseline from a previous pig cycle during the same time of year in 2023. A ventilation-controlled room was monitored during a two-phase campaign, and the actual ammonia concentrations were measured at different locations within the site and at the inlet/outlet of the APA system. A 98% ammonia reduction was achieved at the APA outlet through NH3 absorption in tap water. Ion chromatography analyses of farm water samples revealed NH3 concentrations of up to 530 ppm within 83 days of APA operation. Further scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray inspections revealed the presence of salts and organic/inorganic matter in the solid residues. This research can contribute to meeting current ammonia regulations (NECRs), also by reusing the process water as a potential nitrogen fertiliser in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Anthropogenic Emissions on Air Quality)
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