Burning of crop residues leads to the emission of a number of atmospheric pollutants: ammonia (NH3), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) including black carbon (BC). Burning these residues will also give rise to emissions of heavy metals (HM) and dioxin.
Table 1-1 Contributions of emissions of gases from the field burning of agricultural residues; 2005 estimates (Gg) (Gigagram)
Cereals
Pulses
Tuber and root
Sugar cane
others