US EPA

3866772 

Journal Article 

Black carbon emissions in Russia: A critical review 

Evans, M; Kholod, N; Kuklinski, T; Denysenko, A; Smith, SJ; Staniszewski, A; Hao, WeiMin; Liu, L; Bond, TC 

2017 

1 

Atmospheric Environment
ISSN: 1352-2310
EISSN: 1873-2844 

163 

9-21 

10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.05.026 

WOS:000404491800002 

This study presents a comprehensive review of estimated black carbon (BC) emissions in Russia from a range of studies. Russia has an important role regarding BC emissions given the extent of its territory above the Arctic Circle, where BC emissions have a particularly pronounced effect on the climate. We assess underlying methodologies and data sources for each major emissions source based on their level of detail, accuracy and extent to which they represent current conditions. We then present reference values for each major emissions source. In the case of flaring, the study presents new estimates drawing on data on Russia's associated petroleum gas and the most recent satellite data on flaring. We also present estimates of organic carbon (OC) for each source, either based on the reference studies or from our own calculations. In addition, the study provides uncertainty estimates for each source. Total BC emissions are estimated at 688 Gg in 2014, with an uncertainty range 401 Gg-1453 Gg, while OC emissions are 9224 Gg with uncertainty ranging between 5596 Gg and 14,736 Gg. Wildfires dominated and contributed about 83% of the total BC emissions: however, the effect on radiative forcing is mitigated in part by OC emissions. We also present an adjusted estimate of Arctic forcing from Russia's BC and OC emissions. In recent years, Russia has pursued policies to reduce flaring and limit particulate emissions from on-road transport, both of which appear to significantly contribute to the lower emissions and forcing values found in this study. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd. 

Black carbon; Organic carbon; Russia; Emission inventory; Radiative forcing