Spatially-differentiated atmospheric source-receptor relationships for nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and ammonia emissions at the global scale for life cycle impact assessment

Roy, PO; Huijbregts, M; Deschenes, L; Margni, M

HERO ID

1565259

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

HERO ID 1565259
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Spatially-differentiated atmospheric source-receptor relationships for nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and ammonia emissions at the global scale for life cycle impact assessment
Authors Roy, PO; Huijbregts, M; Deschenes, L; Margni, M
Journal Atmospheric Environment
Volume 62
Page Numbers 74-81
Abstract This paper aims to advance regional worldwide source receptor relationships, providing fate factors for acidifying and eutrophying air emissions (NOx, HNO3, SO2, SO4 and NH3) to be used within life cycle impact assessment. A simulation for the reference year 2005 of the three-dimensional global scale tropospheric GEOS-Chem model was used as the basis of a novel methodological approach to derive source receptor matrices (SRMs) whose elements are fate factors at a global 2 degrees x 2.5 degrees grid. This new approach makes it possible to assess the impact of transboundary emissions while maintaining regional scale emission differentiation. These 2 degrees x 2.5 degrees grid resolution fate factors were later aggregated at continental and country resolutions using emission weighting. Continental fate factor results showed that 50-70% of nitrogen oxides (NOx, HNO3) and sulfur oxides (SO2, SO4) and approximately 80% of ammonia (NH3) emissions will deposit on the same continent. Results showed that the developed fate factor derivation approach was within a +/-10% agreement with GEOS-Chem simulations in which fate factors were determined by withdrawing the regional emission inventory over Canada and in +/-50% agreement with current state-of-the-art LCIA fate factors (calculated with the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) model). The SRMs outlined in this paper facilitate further modeling developments without having to run the underlying tropospheric model, thus opening the door to the assessment of the regional life cycle inventories of a global economy. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Doi 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.07.069
Wosid WOS:000311188200008
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000311188200008
Is Public Yes
Keyword Acidification; Eutrophication; Source-receptor relationship; Fate factors; Life cycle impact assessment