Biomass Burning Sources in China

Abstract

Biomass burning is an important source of pollution at both regional and global scales, with significant impacts on air quality, climate and human health. In China, it is also a major source of fine particulate matter. A better understanding of emissions, source contributions, transport, and transformation of biomass burning is essential for assessing its impacts on the environment. Here, studies related to biomass burning in China have been reviewed. Current understanding of its characteristics (e. g., biomass burning types, emission factors, and source profiles), emission amount and its contributions to ambient PM in China as well as its effects on climate and human health are summarized.