Estimates of Global Anthropogenic Sulfate Emissions 1860-1993

Abstract

This paper updates estimates of global anthropogenic sulfate emissions through 1993 and provides a time series of estimates for each year. We extend the methodology developed by Hameed and Dignon (1989) to include emissions from copper smelting and use estimates for US emissions between 1900 and 1940 which were not previously available. Emissions since 1986 show a slight rise due to an increase in the US followed by a slight decline and a continuing decline in emissions from the other OECD countries. Emissions from the rest of the world peak in 1989 and show a steep decline associated with recession and economic restructuring in Eastern Europe. The various emissions series are consistent with the historical record for the atmospheric concentration of non sea sulfates that is reconstructed from an ice core recovered from Greenland.