Emission trends and source characteristics of SO2, NOx, PM10 and VOCs in the Pearl River Delta region from 2000 to 2009

Emission trends and variations in source contributions of SO2, NOx, PM10 and VOCs in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region from 2000 to 2009 were characterized by using a dynamic methodology, taking into account the economic development, technology penetration, and emission control. The results indicated that SO2 emissions increased rapidly during 2000–2005 but decreased significantly afterward. NOx emissions went up consistently during 2000–2009 except for a break point in 2008. PM10 emissions increased by 76% during 2000–2007 but started to decrease slightly in the following years. VOCs emissions presented continuous increase during the study period. Power plants and industrial sources were consistently the largest SO2 and PM10 emission contributors. The on-road mobile source was the largest emission contributor for VOCs and NOx emissions with decreasing contributions. The NOx contribution from power plants and industrial sources kept increasing. Worthy of mention is that the non-road mobile source is becoming an important SO2 and NOx contributor in this region. Comparisons with satellite data, ground observations and national trends indicated that emission trends developed in this study were reasonable. Implications for future air pollution control policies were discussed.

► PRD emission trends were characterized and validated from 2000–2009.
► Variations in source characteristics were investigated and analyzed.
► SO2 emission began to decrease from 2005, while PM10 emission decreased from 2007.
► NOx and VOCs emissions exhibited upward trends during 2000–2009.
► Immediate control is needed on marine emission source in the PRD region.