China's Air Pollution: Weather And Geography's Impact

China's air pollution is a pressing issue that affects not only its citizens but also the world. As the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury, China's air pollution has caused approximately 30 million deaths since 2000, with 1.24 million people dying from exposure to air pollution in 2017 alone. The primary source of this pollution is the country's heavy reliance on coal, which accounts for 70% of its energy. This has led to dangerous levels of air pollution in Chinese cities, with levels in Beijing being 100 times higher than the limits set by the World Health Organization.

China's geography and weather patterns play a significant role in exacerbating this issue. The immense population growth and rapid urbanization since the 1980s have resulted in increased soil pollution, with an estimated 6 million tonnes of food grain contaminated by heavy metals each year. Additionally, the country's agricultural sector generates more pollution than its factories, with pesticides, fertilizer residues, and packaging contributing to waste.

The weather patterns in China also influence the dispersion of air pollutants. For example, the heavy pollution in Northeast China in 2013 was caused by stagnant atmospheric conditions that prevented the dispersal of pollutants, leading to the closure of schools and the airport in Harbin.

To address these issues, China has implemented measures such as banning plastic bags and taking steps towards carbon neutrality. However, the effects of these measures have been limited, and China continues to increase its construction of coal-fired power plants.

Mercury emissions from Beijing's industries

China's air pollution is influenced by a combination of human activities and adverse weather conditions. Meteorological factors, such as wind speed, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity, play a significant role in the dispersion and concentration of air pollutants.

Now, onto mercury emissions from Beijing's industries.

Beijing, China's capital and one of its largest cities, has been a significant contributor to the country's air pollution, particularly in terms of mercury emissions. Mercury is a highly toxic element that poses risks to both human health and wildlife. It is released into the atmosphere through various anthropogenic activities, and Beijing's industrial sector is a notable source.

Non-ferrous metals smelting and coal combustion are the two main contributors to mercury emissions in Beijing. The extensive smelting activities in the city release a significant amount of mercury into the atmosphere. Additionally, the combustion of coal, especially in residential and small industrial settings without proper particulate matter (PM) controls, further exacerbates the problem.

The absence of flue-gas desulfurization units in coal-fired power plants and the use of small-scale combustion appliances in remote areas also contribute to higher mercury emissions in Beijing. The lack of emission control devices and the dispersion of emissions over remote areas make it challenging to accurately estimate the total mercury emissions from these sources.

To address this issue, it is recommended to conduct field testing of coal combustors and smelters to improve the accuracy of emission estimates. Additionally, implementing effective emission control technologies and adopting cleaner energy sources can significantly reduce mercury emissions from Beijing's industrial sector.

Overall, Beijing's industries have played a significant role in China's mercury emissions, and targeted mitigation strategies are necessary to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with this toxic pollutant.

China's coal consumption

The burning of coal in power plants, along with other fossil fuels, has led to the emission of various air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These emissions have severe impacts on air quality and public health. From 2010 to 2017, China's thermal power plants emitted 5.0% to 23.5% of the country's PM, 15.7% to 38.7% of SO2, and 19.1% to 51.5% of NOx. These emissions contribute to the formation of hazardous air pollutants, leading to severe haze events and adverse health effects on the population.

To address this issue, China has implemented several measures to reduce coal consumption and mitigate air pollution. The country has introduced emission standards, such as the GB13223-2011 and ultra-low emissions (ULE) standards, which aim to regulate stack concentrations. Additionally, China has invested in renewable energy sources, becoming a global leader in solar, wind, and hydropower. However, challenges remain, as some power plants are yet to adopt these stricter emission standards, and there is a need for further integration of renewable energy into the grid.

The reduction of coal consumption and the transition towards cleaner energy sources are crucial for improving air quality and public health in China. The country's efforts to tackle coal consumption and air pollution have yielded some positive results, but continued commitment and innovation are necessary to achieve long-term sustainability and ecological goals.

Air pollution's impact on Chinese citizens' health

Air pollution has had a significant impact on the health of Chinese citizens. A study by the World Bank estimated that the health cost associated with outdoor air pollution in urban areas of China in 2003 was between 157 and 520 billion Chinese yuan, accounting for 1.2–3.3% of China’s gross domestic product.

In 2013, the PM2.5 level of 58 cities in China was five times higher than the safety level set by the World Health Organization, affecting more than 600 million people. According to a 2015 study, 92% of China's population experienced over 120 hours of unhealthy air, and 38% experienced average concentrations that were unhealthy. The observed air pollution is calculated to contribute to 1.6 million deaths per year in China.

The health effects of air pollution are wide-ranging. These include an increased incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, diabetes, hypertension, dementia, and the abortion risk for pregnancies. Air pollution also causes psychiatric and mental health issues, premature deaths, impaired memory, and reduced life expectancy.

The Chinese government has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including the issuance of the "Healthy China 2030 Plan" and the "Three-year Action Plan for the Blue-Sky Defense War." These plans aim to improve air quality and reduce emissions.

China's soil pollution

Soil pollution in China is a pressing issue that has recently been recognised as a key national priority. It is estimated that 20% of China's arable land is contaminated, with rice in some regions being so heavily polluted with cadmium that it has become toxic. The Chinese government has committed to investing up to RMB 4,633,000 million (£526,000 million) in soil remediation, and has published a '10-Measures for Soil Pollution Action Plan' to manage, control and prevent soil pollution.

Soil pollution in China is caused by a range of factors, including metal mining and smelting, industrial activities, power generation, agricultural activities, waste disposal activities, and urbanization. The contamination of soil by heavy metals is a particularly widespread and serious problem, with agricultural land and human health being affected.

The Chinese government is working to establish an effective framework to manage soil contamination, with the '10-Measures for Soil Pollution Action Plan' recommending surveys of soil pollution, amendments to regulations and laws, promotion of soil pollution control and remediation, and the introduction of a control system to prevent soil pollution. However, enforcement of these regulations is challenging, as it is often difficult to identify the responsible parties for the pollution.

The issue of soil pollution in China has also led to the development of citizen-led initiatives and NGOs, who play a crucial role in monitoring and addressing pollution.

China's waste production

The volume of regular industrial waste has remained stable over the years, but the output of hazardous industrial waste has grown alongside industrial processes. Unlike regular industrial waste, hazardous by-products require more advanced treatment processes before they can be released into the environment.

China's largest landfill, Jiangcungou in Xi'an, was established in 1994 and designed to receive a daily waste volume of 2,500 metric tons. In practice, however, more than 10,000 metric tons were disposed of per day, and it reached its capacity 25 years ahead of schedule.

To deal with overwhelming garbage volumes, China has shifted its focus to waste-to-power incinerators. By burning solid waste in a clean technology incinerator, it is possible to avoid negative impacts on the environment while also saving fossil fuels and generating heat and electricity.

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