An updated comprehensive anthropogenic S/IVOCs emission inventory in Central China: Spatial and Temporal characteristics

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) are key precursors for the formation of SOA, which is an important component of PM2.5, a representative pollutant of complex atmospheric pollution. It is important to understand the emissions of SVOCs and IVOCs. Based on the collected anthropogenic activity data and ratio of SVOCs and IVOCs to primary organic aerosols (POA), in this study, a newly 2017-based high-resolution S/IVOCs emission inventory in Central China represented by Henan Province was developed. The total emissions of SVOCs and IVOCs were 101.3 kt and 447.9 kt, respectively. SVOCs emission was mainly originated from residential combustion and industrial process, with the contribution of 44.4% and 20.8%, respectively. Industrial process and on-road mobile were the main contributors to IVOCs emission, accounting for 56.1% and 14.5% of total emission, respectively. This study further analyzes and compares S/IVOCs emissions of different cities based on the urban population. S/IVOCs emissions in 10 megacities, 5 large cities, and 3 small cities account for 74.9%, 16.4%, and 8.7% of total emissions, respectively. High SVOCs emissions were mainly distributed in eastern regions such as Shangqiu and Zhoukou which are agricultural cities, and that was in cities with developed industries and transportation, such as Zhengzhou and Jiaozuo, as for IVOCs. The uncertainties of SVOCs and IVOCs emissions established in this study are −60.7% - 62.2% and − 122.1% - 119.1%, respectively. Industrial process and on-road mobile are the emission sources with higher uncertainty of SVOCs and IVOCs emissions, respectively. It hopes to better understand the emission characteristics of S/IVOCs and provide more detailed basic data for air quality modelling simulation and various emission control policies. [Display omitted] •A first high-resolution SVOCs and IVOCs emission inventory in Central China was developed.•Residential combustion occupied44% of SVOCs emission, while IVOCs emission mainly from industrial process (56%).•SVOCs and IVOCs emission characteristics of megacities, large cities, and small cities were analyzed.•Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the uncertainties.