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Split Point Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification of Thermal-Optical Organic/Elemental Carbon Measurements
Published on: September 7, 2019
Inventory Uncertainty and Transboundary Transport of Biomass-Burning Black Carbon in Southern China: Insights from
Boji Lin1,2,3,4, Hongxing Jiang5, Jun Li1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, People's Republic of China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Black carbon from biomass burning significantly impacts climate. Measurements in China reveal transboundary pollution from Southeast Asia is a major, often underestimated, contributor to atmospheric black carbon concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Climate Science
- Environmental Monitoring
Background:
- Black carbon (BC) from biomass burning (BCbb) is a key climate forcer.
- Current models lack source-diagnostic constraints, leading to uncertainties in BCbb contributions to atmospheric BC concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify BCbb contributions using 14C-based measurements in southern China.
- To evaluate atmospheric transport model performance against observational data.
- To identify sources and transport pathways of BCbb impacting southern China.
Main Methods:
- Year-round 14C-based measurements of BCbb at regional and background sites in southern China.
- Comparison of measurements with tailored simulations from an atmospheric transport model.
- Analysis of seasonal variations and source contributions.
Main Results:
- Atmospheric transport models show considerable uncertainty in simulating BCbb (-68% to +28% NMB).
- Unmonitored biomass burning (BB) in mainland China contributes to model-observation discrepancies.
- Residential BB in East Asia is the primary source of BCbb in southern China, with significant summer contributions from Southeast Asia.
- Transboundary BB from Southeast Asia impacts southern China even in winter via free-tropospheric transport.
Conclusions:
- Transboundary BB pollution from Southeast Asia is a critical, potentially underestimated, factor influencing BCbb levels in southern China.
- Existing emission inventories may overlook significant BB sources, necessitating updates.
- Accurate assessment of BCbb's climate impact requires improved source attribution and inventory data.
