Crop-specific biogenic volatile organic compound emissions in China

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from crops significantly affect atmospheric chemistry and air quality.
• Quantifying crop-specific BVOC emissions is essential for understanding agroecosystem impacts but remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and quantify differential BVOC emissions from various crops across China.
• To integrate crop growth parameters with emission factors for improved accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized crop growth parameters (leaf area index, phenology) and refined emission factors.
• Analyzed spatial and temporal variations in BVOC emissions for major Chinese crops.
• Calculated total BVOC emissions for China in 2023.

Main Results:

• Total crop BVOC emissions in China reached 1936.8 Gg in 2023, with maize and rice being major contributors.
• Emission intensity varied by crop type and region; emissions peaked in summer.
• Spatial distribution of emissions, concentrated in the southeast, reflects cultivation patterns.
• Oxygenated VOCs, primarily methanol, constituted the majority (82.5%) of crop BVOCs.

Conclusions:

• This study provides crucial data on crop BVOC emissions, essential for assessing agricultural impacts on ozone and secondary organic aerosols.
• Understanding regional and crop-specific emission dynamics is key for air quality management in agroecosystems.