Changing Trends in Sulfur Emissions in Asia:  Implications for Acid Deposition, Air Pollution, and Climate

Abstract

In the early 1990s, it was projected that annual SO2 emissions in Asia might grow to 80-110 Tg yr(-1) by 2020. Based on new high-resolution estimates from 1975 to 2000, we calculate that SO2 emissions in Asia might grow only to 40-45 Tg yr(-1) by 2020. The main reason for this lower estimate is a decline of SO2 emissions from 1995 to 2000 in China, which emits about two-thirds of Asian SO2. The decline was due to a reduction in industrial coal use, a slowdown of the Chinese economy, and the closure of small and inefficient plants, among other reasons. One effect of the reduction in SO2 emissions in China has been a reduction in acid deposition not only in China but also in Japan. Reductions should also improve visibility and reduce health problems. SO2 emission reductions may increase global warming, but this warming effect could be partially offset by reductions in the emissions of black carbon. How SO2 emissions in the region change in the coming decades will depend on many competing factors (economic growth, pollution control laws, etc.). However a continuation of current trends would result in sulfur emissions lower than any IPCC forecasts.

Beyond the Environmental Kuznets Curve: a comparative study of SO2 and CO2 emissions between Japan and China

“…4 A more detailed discussion on this estimation procedure is provided in Yaguchi (2003). 5 Streets et al (2000) and Carmichael et al (2002) show quite a different pattern for sulfur emissions in the Chinese economy as a whole. This is most likely due to the fact that we use basically industrial data, whereas those authors use aggregate economy-wide data.…”

Elevated nitrogen-containing particles observed in Asian dust aerosol samples collected at the marine boundary layer of the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea

“…NO x emissions are expected to continue to increase (Akimoto, 2003). At the same time, due to a reduction in industrial coal use and the execution of a series of strict environmental protection policies in China, SO 2 emissions are expected to decline, resulting in a reduction in acid deposition in China and even in Japan (Carmichael, et al, 2002). In the spring, Asian dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China make their way to populated cities, adding dust components to the urban aerosols.…”

Particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and source apportionment in lahore

“…In India, the dominant share of sulfur dioxide load (tones/day) by different categories is 89% of the total load. 27 SO 2 emissions from China and India increased by approximately 60% and 150% respectively between 1980 and 2000 28 and are expected to increase further. 28,29 Stationary sources are major contributors to aerosol sulfur pollution.…”

“…27 SO 2 emissions from China and India increased by approximately 60% and 150% respectively between 1980 and 2000 28 and are expected to increase further. 28,29 Stationary sources are major contributors to aerosol sulfur pollution. 30 The higher sulfur content in diesel fuel being used in Pakistan 31 is also one of the major local sources of SO 2 and sulfate in urban Lahore.…”