Development of a multi-resolution emission inventory and its impact on sulfur distribution for Northeast Asia

Abstract

Emissions in East Asia for 1993 by administrative units and source types are estimated to support regional emission assessments and transport modeling studies. Total emission of SOx, NOx, soil NOx, N2O, and NH3 are 24 150, 12 610, 1963, 908, and 8263 kton yr-1, respectively. China's emission contribution is the highest for every species. The area sources are the most significant source type for SOx and NOx, but the fraction due to mobile source is highest for NOx. Major LPSs are located from the middle to the east part of China, south and middle-west part of South Korea, and the east part of Japan. The area sources of SOx show a pattern similar to population density, whereas NH3 shows a strong landuse dependency. Detail emissions analysis reveals higher SOx emission 'cores' within each province. The estimated emissions are used to estimate sulfur deposition in the regions. The seasonal average sulfur distribution amounts are estimated from the ATMOS2 chemical transport model. The results showed anti-correlation with temperature for sulfur (SO2 + SO4-2 ) concentrations and a positive correlation with rainfall for deposition.