An integrated identification framework for analyzing air pollutants mitigation potential from crop residue burning

Crop residue burning is a key contributor to air pollution, highlighting the need for comprehensive emission assessments and reduction strategies to promote sustainable development. Biomass power (BP), open biomass burning (OBB), and indoor biomass burning (IBB) are the primary forms of crop residue burning. While previous studies have established emission inventories for individual burning forms, there is a significant gap in spatial assessments that integrate multiple forms to better inform crop residue management. This study developed a framework that integrates BP, OBB, and IBB to generate a high-resolution (10 × 10 km) emission map. Notably, it is the first to establish a spatially explicit emission inventory considering multiple forms of crop residue burning. Focusing on Northeast China as a case study, the results indicate that the quantity of crop residue burned was 16,900 tons, with OBB and IBB accounting for 99.7 %. The emissions of PM2.5, NOx, and SO2 were 666,000 tons, 107,000 tons, and 14,500 tons, respectively. Transitioning all crop residues to BP could reduce these emissions by 96 %. Additionally, this study identified spatial heterogeneity in emission reduction potential, partitioned counties accordingly, and proposed spatially differentiated mitigation strategies. These insights can inform crop residue planning and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.