Temporal Changes in Transboundary Air Pollutants in Bottom Sediments of Lakes in East Asia

To clarify temporal changes in the transboundary pollution, we analyzed SCPs （spheroidal carbonaceous particles） in bottom sediments of lakes in China, South Korea and Japan. SCPs provide an unambiguous record of anthropogenic atmospheric pollution in bottom sediments. Recently deposited SCPs in air and unmelted snow on Mt. Fuji were also characterized. The concentrarion and characteristics of SCPs reflected the environmental and industrial history of the area. Evidence of transboundary air pollution was observed after the 1980s in Yashagaike and Kotaniike ponds in Japan, which are located on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The concentration suggests that the pollutants originated from continental Asia, particularly after the 1980s. The chemical composition of the SCPs allowed the source of emissions to be identified. Chinese SCPs were found at Yashagaike and Kotaniike ponds in Japan, and at Songiiho and Urimji lakes in Korea. The size distributions showed that small SCPs are transported over long distances. On the summit of Mr. Fuji, SCPs transported by the prevailing westerlies from China were found in addition to SCPs emitted in Japan.

Severe Global Environmental Issues Caused by Canada’s Record-Breaking Wildfires in 2023

Due to the record-breaking wildfires that occurred in Canada in 2023,unprecedented quantities of air pollutants and greenhouse gases were released into the atmosphere.The wildfires had emitted more than 1.3 Pg CO_(2)and 0.14 Pg CO_(2)equivalent of other greenhouse gases(GHG)including CH4 and N_(2)O as of 31 August.The wildfire-related GHG emissions constituted more than doubled Canada’s planned cumulative anthropogenic emissions reductions in 10 years,which represents a significant challenge to climate mitigation efforts.The model simulations showed that the Canadian wildfires impacted not only the local air quality but also that of most areas in the northern hemisphere due to long-range transport,causing severe PM_(2.5)pollution in the northeastern United States and increasing daily mean PM_(2.5)concentration in northwestern China by up to 2μg m-3.The observed maximum daily mean PM_(2.5)concentration in New York City reached 148.3μg m-3,which was their worst air quality in more than 50 years,nearly 10 times that of the air quality guideline(i.e.,15μg m-3)issued by the World Health Organization(WHO).Aside from the direct emissions from forest fires,the peat fires beneath the surface might smolder for several months or even longer and release substantial amounts of CO_(2).The substantial amounts of greenhouse gases from forest and peat fires might contribute to the positive feedback to the climate,potentially accelerating global warming.To better understand the comprehensive environmental effects of wildfires and their interactions with the climate system,more detailed research based on advanced observations and Earth System Models is essential.