Influence of Surface Methane on Tropospheric Ozone Concentrations and Cereal Yield in Asia

Methane (CH4) emanating from terrestrial sources serves as a precursor for the genesis of tropospheric ozone (O3), a pernicious atmospheric contaminant that adversely modulates the physiological mechanisms of agricultural crops. Despite the acknowledged role of CH4 in amplifying O3 concentrations, the extant literature offers limited quantitative evaluations concerning the repercussions of CH4-mediated O3 on cereal yields. Employing the GEOS-Chem atmospheric chemistry model, the present investigation elucidates the ramifications of a 50% diminution in anthropogenic CH4 concentrations on the yield losses of maize, soybean, and wheat across Asia for the fiscal year 2010. The findings unveil pronounced yield detriments attributable to O3-induced phytotoxicity, with the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the North China Plain manifesting the most substantial yield impairments among the crops examined. A halving of anthropogenic CH4 effluents could ameliorate considerable losses in cereal production across these agriculturally pivotal regions. CH4-facilitated O3 exerts a pernicious influence on cereal yields; nevertheless, targeted mitigation of CH4 effluents, particularly in the vicinity of the North China Plain, holds the potential to substantially attenuate O3 contamination, thereby catalyzing an enhancement in regional cereal production.

Automated summary

Using an atmospheric chemistry model, this study investigates the impact of methane on cereal yields in Asia. It finds that methane-induced ozone has significant negative effects on maize, soybean, and wheat production, and reducing methane emissions can mitigate these losses. Targeted reduction of methane emissions, particularly in the North China Plain, has the potential to improve regional cereal production.