Chinese Journal of Agrometeorology ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4): 592-602.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-6362.2026.04.010

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Evaluating Ozone−induced Rice Yield Losses and Associated Economic Impacts in the Chengdu Plain Economic Zone, China

ZHANG Jing-wen, WANG Ming-tian, ZHAO Huan   

  1. 1. Chengdu Meteorological Bureau, Chengdu 611130, China; 2. Sichuan Meteorological Observatory, Chengdu 610072
  • Received:2025-03-18 Online:2026-04-20 Published:2026-04-18

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Abstract:

Based on the hourly ground−level ozone (O3) concentration data from national environmental air quality monitoring stations during the rice−growing season in eight cities of the Chengdu plain economic zone (CPEZ) from 2015 to 2022, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of O3 hourly concentration and the dose−based metric (AOT40) on different time scales. The impact of O3 pollution on rice yield and associated economic losses in the CPEZ from 2015 to 2022 was evaluated, revealing the characteristics of O3 pollution during the rice−growing season and providing a scientific basis for pollution control strategies. The results indicated that the daily average O3 hourly concentration in the CPEZ from 2015 to 2022 exhibited a distinct unimodal pattern, with the highest peak value in Chengdu reaching 145.1μg·m−3.During the same period, the annual average O3 hourly concentration displayed a fluctuating upward trend, with a regional increase of 21.6μg·m−3. Spatially, the annual average O3 hourly concentration decreased in the order of Zone I (Chengdu, Deyang, Meishan)>Zone II (Mianyang, Suining, Ziyang)>Zone III (Leshan, Ya’an). Ziyang recorded the highest annual average O3 concentration of 79.5μg·m−3, while Ya’an had the lowest at 67.5μg·m−3. From 2015 to 2022, the the annual trend of AOT40 in the CPEZ generally followed a pattern consistent with that of the O3 hourly concentration, although the AOT40 peak occurred earlier and its trough lagged behind those of O3 concentration. In 2022, the regional average AOT40 increased by 2.7×10−3mL·L−1·h compared to that in 2015. Among these eight cities, Chengdu exhibited the highest annual average AOT40 at 8.0×10−3mL·L−1·h, whereas Ya’an had the lowest at 1.4×10−3mL·L−1·h. O3 pollution caused a cumulative reduction of 2.313 million metric tons of rice yield in the CPEZ, accounting for 4.9% of the actual total production, with an average annual economic loss reaching 762 million yuan. In summary, the findings reveal that O3 pollution in the CPEZ has already posed a significant threat to regional food security. In future, it is urgent to take effective emission−reduction measures to mitigate the negative impact of O3 pollution on agriculture and safeguard regional food security. 

Key words: Ozone, AOT40, Rice, Yield, Economic loss