Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution

<p>The use of urban green spaces (UGSs), such as parks and gardens, is widely promoted as a strategy to improve the urban atmospheric environment. However, this study reveals that it can exacerbate urban ozone (<span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>...

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Main Authors: H. Wang, Y. Li, Y. Liu, X. Lu, Y. Zhang, Q. Fan, C. Shen, S. Lai, Y. Zhou, T. Zhang, D. Yue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-05-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/5233/2025/acp-25-5233-2025.pdf
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author H. Wang
H. Wang
H. Wang
H. Wang
Y. Li
Y. Li
Y. Li
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
X. Lu
X. Lu
X. Lu
Y. Zhang
Q. Fan
Q. Fan
Q. Fan
C. Shen
S. Lai
Y. Zhou
T. Zhang
D. Yue
author_facet H. Wang
H. Wang
H. Wang
H. Wang
Y. Li
Y. Li
Y. Li
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
X. Lu
X. Lu
X. Lu
Y. Zhang
Q. Fan
Q. Fan
Q. Fan
C. Shen
S. Lai
Y. Zhou
T. Zhang
D. Yue
author_sort H. Wang
collection DOAJ
description <p>The use of urban green spaces (UGSs), such as parks and gardens, is widely promoted as a strategy to improve the urban atmospheric environment. However, this study reveals that it can exacerbate urban ozone (<span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>) levels under certain conditions, as demonstrated by a September 2017 study in Guangzhou, China. Using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (WRF-MEGAN) and the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, we assessed the impact of UGS-related biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions (hereafter referred to as UGS-BVOC emissions) on urban <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>. Our findings indicate that the UGS-BVOC emissions in Guangzhou amounted to 666 <span class="inline-formula">Gg</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M5" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><mo>∼</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">90</mn><mspace width="0.125em" linebreak="nobreak"/><mrow class="unit"><mi mathvariant="normal">Mg</mi><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">km</mi><mrow><mo>-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="67pt" height="15pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="829611066917dc3e298f9615c4617108"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00001.svg" width="67pt" height="15pt" src="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00001.png"/></svg:svg></span></span>), with isoprene (ISOP) and monoterpene (TERP) contributing remarkably to the total UGS-BVOC emissions. Compared to anthropogenic VOC (AVOC) and BVOC emissions, UGS-BVOC emissions account for <span class="inline-formula">∼33.45 <i>%</i></span> in the city center, and their inclusion in the model reduces ISOP underestimation. The study shows improved simulation mean biases for MDA8 (maximum daily 8 h average) <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>, from <span class="inline-formula">−3.63</span> to <span class="inline-formula">−0.75 ppb</span> in the city center. Integrating UGS-BVOC emissions and UGS-LUCC emissions (where LUCC denotes land use cover change) enhances surface monthly mean <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> by 1.7–3.7 ppb (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M11" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><mo>+</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">3.8</mn><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi><mo>-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">8.5</mn><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="b3a8e7714b6bd260159656c531600718"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00002.svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" src="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00002.png"/></svg:svg></span></span>) and adds up to 8.9 ppb (<span class="inline-formula">+10.0 <i>%</i></span>) to MDA8 <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> during pollution episodes. UGS-BVOC emissions alone increase monthly mean <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> by 1.0–1.4 ppb (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M15" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><mo>+</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">2.3</mn><mspace width="0.125em" linebreak="nobreak"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi><mo>-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">3.2</mn><mspace width="0.125em" linebreak="nobreak"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="0cf240f90f3e3e37c5a178d27d79bfac"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00003.svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" src="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00003.png"/></svg:svg></span></span>) in urban areas and contribute up to 2.9 ppb (<span class="inline-formula">+3.3 <i>%</i></span>) to MDA8 <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> during pollution episodes. These impacts can extend to surrounding suburban and rural areas through regional transport, highlighting the need to accurately account for UGS-BVOC emissions to better manage air quality.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-788e29a4d99646b78c2d3937e661dbfd2025-08-20T03:48:27ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242025-05-01255233525010.5194/acp-25-5233-2025Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollutionH. Wang0H. Wang1H. Wang2H. Wang3Y. Li4Y. Li5Y. Li6Y. Liu7Y. Liu8Y. Liu9X. Lu10X. Lu11X. Lu12Y. Zhang13Q. Fan14Q. Fan15Q. Fan16C. Shen17S. Lai18Y. Zhou19T. Zhang20D. Yue21School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR ChinaGuangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaCentre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United KingdomSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR ChinaGuangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR ChinaGuangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR ChinaGuangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, PR ChinaSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, 510275, PR ChinaGuangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR ChinaGuangzhou Ecological and Agricultural Meteorological Center, Guangzhou, 511430, PR ChinaThe Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Regional Air Quality Monitoring of Environmental Protection/Guangdong Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Guangzhou, 510308, PR ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Regional Air Quality Monitoring of Environmental Protection/Guangdong Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Guangzhou, 510308, PR ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Regional Air Quality Monitoring of Environmental Protection/Guangdong Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Guangzhou, 510308, PR China<p>The use of urban green spaces (UGSs), such as parks and gardens, is widely promoted as a strategy to improve the urban atmospheric environment. However, this study reveals that it can exacerbate urban ozone (<span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>) levels under certain conditions, as demonstrated by a September 2017 study in Guangzhou, China. Using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (WRF-MEGAN) and the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, we assessed the impact of UGS-related biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions (hereafter referred to as UGS-BVOC emissions) on urban <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>. Our findings indicate that the UGS-BVOC emissions in Guangzhou amounted to 666 <span class="inline-formula">Gg</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M5" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><mo>∼</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">90</mn><mspace width="0.125em" linebreak="nobreak"/><mrow class="unit"><mi mathvariant="normal">Mg</mi><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">km</mi><mrow><mo>-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="67pt" height="15pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="829611066917dc3e298f9615c4617108"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00001.svg" width="67pt" height="15pt" src="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00001.png"/></svg:svg></span></span>), with isoprene (ISOP) and monoterpene (TERP) contributing remarkably to the total UGS-BVOC emissions. Compared to anthropogenic VOC (AVOC) and BVOC emissions, UGS-BVOC emissions account for <span class="inline-formula">∼33.45 <i>%</i></span> in the city center, and their inclusion in the model reduces ISOP underestimation. The study shows improved simulation mean biases for MDA8 (maximum daily 8 h average) <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span>, from <span class="inline-formula">−3.63</span> to <span class="inline-formula">−0.75 ppb</span> in the city center. Integrating UGS-BVOC emissions and UGS-LUCC emissions (where LUCC denotes land use cover change) enhances surface monthly mean <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> by 1.7–3.7 ppb (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M11" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><mo>+</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">3.8</mn><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi><mo>-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">8.5</mn><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="b3a8e7714b6bd260159656c531600718"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00002.svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" src="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00002.png"/></svg:svg></span></span>) and adds up to 8.9 ppb (<span class="inline-formula">+10.0 <i>%</i></span>) to MDA8 <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> during pollution episodes. UGS-BVOC emissions alone increase monthly mean <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> by 1.0–1.4 ppb (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M15" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><mo>+</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">2.3</mn><mspace width="0.125em" linebreak="nobreak"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi><mo>-</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">3.2</mn><mspace width="0.125em" linebreak="nobreak"/><mi mathvariant="italic">%</mi></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="0cf240f90f3e3e37c5a178d27d79bfac"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00003.svg" width="74pt" height="10pt" src="acp-25-5233-2025-ie00003.png"/></svg:svg></span></span>) in urban areas and contribute up to 2.9 ppb (<span class="inline-formula">+3.3 <i>%</i></span>) to MDA8 <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>3</sub></span> during pollution episodes. These impacts can extend to surrounding suburban and rural areas through regional transport, highlighting the need to accurately account for UGS-BVOC emissions to better manage air quality.</p>https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/5233/2025/acp-25-5233-2025.pdf
spellingShingle H. Wang
H. Wang
H. Wang
H. Wang
Y. Li
Y. Li
Y. Li
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
X. Lu
X. Lu
X. Lu
Y. Zhang
Q. Fan
Q. Fan
Q. Fan
C. Shen
S. Lai
Y. Zhou
T. Zhang
D. Yue
Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
title_full Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
title_fullStr Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
title_full_unstemmed Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
title_short Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
title_sort underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
url https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/5233/2025/acp-25-5233-2025.pdf
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