Optimization of a NO_x and VOC Cooperative Control Strategy Based on Clean Air Benefits

Abstract

Serious ambient PM2.5 and O3 pollution is one of the most important environmental challenges of China, necessitating an urgent cost-effective cocontrol strategy. Herein, we introduced a novel integrated assessment system to optimize a NO x and volatile organic compound (VOC) control strategy for the synergistic reduction of ambient PM2.5 and O3 pollution. Focusing on the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei cities and their surrounding regions, which are experiencing the most serious PM2.5 and O3 pollution in China, we found that NO x emission reduction (64–81%) is essential to attain the air quality standard no matter how much VOC emission is reduced. However, the synergistic VOC control is strongly recommended considering its substantially human health and crop production benefits, which are estimated up to 163 (PM2.5-related) and 101 (O3-related) billion CHY during the reduction of considerable emissions. Notably, such benefits will be greatly reduced if the synergistic VOC reduction is delayed. This study also highlights the necessity of simultaneous VOC and NO x emission control in winter while enhancing the NO x control in the summer, which is contrary to the current control strategy adopted in China. These findings point out the right pathways for future policy making on comitigating PM2.5 and O3 pollution in China and other countries.

Smog Chamber Study on the Role of NOxin SOA and O3Formation from Aromatic Hydrocarbons

“…66 As China is facing dual pressures to reduce both PM 2.5 and O 3 pollution, recent observations and modeling studies have suggested that the substantial reduction of NO x is a feasible path to achieve coordinated control of both. 20,67 Our laboratory study provides new evidence and scientific basis for this perspective.…”

“…6,18 Additionally, the availability of oxidants driving RO 2 formation rates will simultaneously decline with the decrease of NO x , which will offset the increase in SOA formation caused by the enhancement of RO 2 autoxidation. 19 Most recently, based on a self-developed novel integrated assessment system model, Ding et al 20 indicated that NO x emission reduction is essential to achieve the synergistic reduction of ambient PM 2.5 and O 3 pollution, regardless of the reduction of VOC emission for the Beijing−Tianjin−Hebei regions. Many studies have also emphasized the importance of VOC reduction in urban areas.…”

Deep learning-based gas-phase chemical kinetics kernel emulator: Application in a global air quality simulation case

“…O 3 with a longer life has a strong photochemical oxidation in the atmosphere. Anthropogenic emissions near the ground rapidly generate and accumulate NO x and VOCs, which are the precursors of ozone (Sillman and He, 2002;Ding et al, 2022;Zhang et al, 2022), and thus accelerate the generation of O 3 . As evident from the spatial distribution shown in Figure 6, the neural network emulator can well capture and fit the data characteristics, simulate the ozone generation and change trend of each region on land, and achieve a good simulation of each region in the world at the same time.…”

Break point identification and spatiotemporal dynamic evolution of air pollutants: An empirical study from Anhui province, east China

“…Although the collaborative governance of regional air pollution has obvious advantages in reducing the cost of emission reduction (Xiao Liu et al, 2022), the long-term effectiveness of the YRD's regional air pollution policy is obviously insufficient (Wang and Zhao, 2021). Moreover, the collaborative governance of air pollutants (such as NOx-VOC) has benefits for human health and crop production (Ding et al, 2022). Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the implementation of the integrated process of collaborative governance of air pollutants in the YRD; fully understand the importance of negotiation, shared responsibility, information sharing, and joint prevention and control; and form an interregional joint prevention and control mechanism with the same orientation but with a more specific focus.…”