Ten-year emission characteristics of atmospheric pollutants from incineration of sacrificial offerings in China

The incineration of sacrificial offerings is a significant widely practiced custom that is also a kind of neglected air pollution source in China.Our results showed that the emission factors of particulate matter,SO_(2),CO,NO_(x),and VOCs emitted from the incineration of sacrificial offerings with purification systems were reduced by 95%,19%,9%,82%,and 42%,respectively,compared with those without a purification system,revealing a significant effect of the flue gas purification system on reducing particulate matter and gaseous pollutants.The emission level of air pollutants from the incineration of sacrificial offerings remained stable before 2013 and then showed a remarkable decrease after the implementation of China′s Air Pollution Prevention Action Plan in 2013.The emissions of TSP(total suspended particulate),PM_(10),PM_(2.5),and NO_(x)in 2009 were 8222,6106,5656 and 15,878 ton,respectively,obviously higher than 3434,2551,2305 and 8579 ton in 2019.Such trend was affected by both the quantity of incineration and the installation rate of purification systems after the Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Crematory(GB 13801-2015)issued in China.Distinct spatial distribution of atmospheric pollutants from incineration of sacrificial offerings was found with higher in the east and south of China than the west and north of China,which is proportional to the regional economy and population.The maximum ground-level concentration typically occurred at 0.12-0.2 km from the pollution source,posing potential health risks to people entering and exiting funeral and burial sites and nearby residents.

Air Pollution Characteristics and Cause Analysis of Main Urban Area of Western Guizhou in the Ghost Festival

According to the air quality monitoring and meteorological observation data from 2015 to 2020,the air pollution characteristics and causes were analyzed in the Ghost Festival(on the 15 th of the 7 th lunar month)for the main urban area of Liupanshui City in western Guizhou Province.The results showed that air pollution to different extent occurred in the Ghost Festival every year,reaching the level of heavy pollution in half of the year.The pollution time is generally from 21:00 on the day to 01:00 on the next day.The pollutants mainly come from the smoke dust generated by people burning sacrificial offerings and industrial pollution of iron and steel manufacturing under adverse weather conditions.The primary pollutant is PM 2.5,and the annual variation of pollution shows a downward trend.Precipitation weather is in the majority,which is favorable for reducing the pollution degree;the relationship between wind direction,wind speed and pollution degree is closed;the atmospheric inversion is weak,which has no obvious influence on the change of air pollution;the relative humidity is high,which is conducive to the formation and maintenance of pollution;there is a very significant negative correlation between the degree of air pollution and wind energy,and significantly negative correlation between the degree of air pollution and atmospheric turbulence intensity.Advocating civilized sacrifice and strengthening management is beneficial to reducing the degree of pollution.This paper can be used as a reference for air quality forecasts and taking the appropriate measures to reduce pollution.