Remote Sensing of Greenhouse Gases and Aerosols from Agricultural Residue Burning Over Pakistan
Publication Name
Vegetation Fires and Pollution in Asia
Abstract
Biomass burning is a significant source of particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions. It has harmful effects on human health and degrades air quality worldwide. The drivers of biomass burning vary, such as clearing the natural forest for agriculture through slash and burn, to remove shrubs, bushes, and weeds, including stubble burning to prepare the land for the next crop and other reasons. Approximately 8700 Tg of dry matter is charred annually. Several studies analyzed the physical aspects of biomass burning. However, quantifying interannual and seasonal variations in aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions is still challenging. Estimates show that ~ 66% of basmati rice, 61% of non-basmati rice, 61% of the wheat crop, 32% of maize, and 78% of the crop area of sugarcane is burnt annually in Pakistan. These numbers are increasing every year because of the need for more government policies. Thus, adding a large amount of reactive gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere substantially disturbs tropospheric oxidation capacity and energy budget.
Open Access Status
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First Page
299
Last Page
315