Impacts of Thermal Power Industry Emissions on Air Quality in China

Xiuyong Zhao, Wenxin Tian and Dongsheng Chen ()
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Xiuyong Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Smart Coal-Fired Power Generation and Ultra-Clean Emission, China Energy Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210023, China
Wenxin Tian: State Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Smart Coal-Fired Power Generation and Ultra-Clean Emission, China Energy Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210023, China
Dongsheng Chen: Key Laboratory of Beijing on Regional Air Pollution Control, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Power plants remain major contributors to air pollution, and while their impact on air quality and atmospheric chemistry have been extensively studied, there are still uncertainties in quantifying their precise contributions to PM 2.5 and O 3 formation under varying environmental conditions. This study employs the WRF/CMAQ modeling system to quantify the impact of power plant emissions on PM2.5 and O 3 levels across eastern China in June 2019. We investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of pollutant formation, analyze contributions to secondary PM2.5 components, and assess process-specific influences on O 3 concentrations. Results show that power plant emissions contribute up to 2.5–3.0 μg m −3 to PM 2.5 levels in central and eastern regions, with lower impacts in coastal and southern areas. O 3 contributions exhibit a more complex pattern, ranging from −4 to +4 ppb, reflecting regional variations in NOx saturation. Among secondary PM 2.5 components, nitrate formation is most significantly influenced by power plant emissions, emphasizing the critical role of NOx. Diurnal O 3 patterns reveal a transition from widespread morning suppression to afternoon enhancement, particularly in southern regions. Process analysis indicates that vertical transport is the primary mechanism enhancing surface O 3 from power plant emissions, while dry deposition acts as the main removal process. This comprehensive assessment provides crucial insights for developing targeted air quality management strategies, highlighting the need for region-specific approaches and prioritized NOx emission controls in the power sector. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between power plant emissions and regional air quality, offering a foundation for more effective pollution mitigation policies.

Keywords: thermal power industry; PM 2.5; O 3; WRF/CMAQ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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