Impacts of near-future cultivation of biofuel feedstocks on atmospheric composition and local air quality

Ashworth, K; Folberth, G; Hewitt, CN; Wild, O

HERO ID

1607606

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

HERO ID 1607606
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Impacts of near-future cultivation of biofuel feedstocks on atmospheric composition and local air quality
Authors Ashworth, K; Folberth, G; Hewitt, CN; Wild, O
Journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Volume 12
Issue 2
Page Numbers 919-939
Abstract Large-scale production of feedstock crops for biofuels will lead to land use changes. We quantify the effects of realistic land use change scenarios for biofuel feedstock production on isoprene emissions and hence atmospheric composition and chemistry using the HadGEM2 model. Two feedstocks are considered: oil palm for biodiesel in the tropics and short rotation coppice (SRC) in the mid-latitudes. In total, 69 Mha of oil palm and 92 Mha of SRC are planted, each sufficient to replace just over 1% of projected global fossil fuel demand in 2020. Both planting scenarios result in increases in total global annual isoprene emissions of about 1%. In each case, changes in surface concentrations of ozone and biogenic secondary organic aerosol (bSOA) are substantial at the regional scale, with implications for air quality standards. However, the changes in tropospheric burden of ozone and the OH radical, and hence effects on global climate, are negligible. Over SE Asia, one region of oil palm planting, increases in annual mean surface ozone and bSOA concentrations reach over 3 ppbv (+11 %) and 0.4 mu g m(-3) (+10 %) respectively for parts of Borneo, with monthly mean increases of up to 6.5 ppbv (+25 %) and 0.5 mu g m(-3) (+12 %). Under the SRC scenario, Europe experiences monthly mean changes of over 0.6 ppbv (+1 %) and 0.1 mu g m(-3) (+5 %) in June and July, with peak increases of over 2 ppbv (+3 %) and 0.5 mu g m(-3) (+8 %). That appreciable regional atmospheric impacts result from low level planting scenarios demonstrates the need to include changes in emissions of reactive trace gases such as isoprene in life cycle assessments performed on potential biofuel feedstocks.
Doi 10.5194/acp-12-919-2012
Wosid WOS:000300321500021
Url http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/12/919/2012/
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000300321500021
Is Public Yes