Characterizations of PM2.5 Pollution Pathways and Sources Analysis in Four Large Cities in China

Abstract

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (PM 2.5 ) is a primary pollutant in most cities in China. PM 2.5 poses a significant human health risk, especially in the most densely populated urban areas. We used observations of PM 2.5 and backward air mass trajectories modeled by HYSPLIT-4. We characterize how air movement patterns influence pollution levels in four large cities of China. Then we developed a method to evaluate regional and local sources and contributions of PM 2.5 . For Beijing and Shanghai, PM 2.5 concentrations are sensitive to air moving direction, indicating significant influence of air movement on PM 2.5 pollution. In Beijing, PM 2.5 concentrations were higher when the air masses were from the south and the east. In Shanghai, pollution was greater with northerly air mass flows. Regional contributions of PM 2.5 in Beijing during 2013 were 46, 62, 52, and 39% in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. In Shanghai, regional contributions over four seasons were 36, 39, 45, and 35%. In Guangzhou and Chengdu, PM 2.5 concentrations were more sensitive to speed rather than direction of air mass movements, indicating weaker pollution pathways. In Guangzhou, regional contributions were smaller over the four seasons: 15, 28, 16, and 22% while in Chengdu, they are 21, 52, 28, and 14%. These results are comparable to previous results obtained using complex atmospheric chemical transport models.

Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric PM2.5 at a Coastal City in Southern Taiwan

“…From results of various studies PM 2.5 is reported to lead to adverse health effects such as premature deaths in children, rising hospital admissions and increasing respiratory problems in minors (Bell et al, 2007;Hemann et al, 2009;Dai et al, 2015;Lv et al, 2015). Specifically, PM can potentially cause lung inflammation and related cancer, asthma, and cardiopulmonary injury (Pope et al, 1995;Gouveia and Fletcher, 2000;Silva et al, 2010;Hung et al, 2012).…”

Characteristics and Source Analysis of Trace Elements in PM2.5 in the Urban Atmosphere of Wuhan in Spring

“…In China, air pollution in megacities is mainly caused by the drastic economic growth, together with the rapid industrialization and the wide urbanization (e.g., Wang et al, 2014a, b;Li et al, 2015;Lang et al, 2017). China has been suffering from serious air quality problems, mostly related to fine particulate matter (Jiang et al, 2015;Lv et al, 2015;San Martini et al, 2015). The environmental reports indicate that only 8 of the 74 major cities meet the limit of ambient air quality standard of China (Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection, 2015): across all major cities, the average pollutant concentrations in 2014 were 64 µg m -3 for PM 2.5 , 105 µg m -3 for PM 10 and 42 µg m -3 for NO 2 , respectively.…”

Characteristics of Atmospheric PM2.5 in a Densely Populated City with Multi-Emission Sources

“…Both regional transport of dust and local emission can greatly contribute to the PM 2.5 in the atmosphere , Lv et al, 2015. Previously chemical mass balance model (CMB) has been used to identify the sources of PM 2.5 components the (Watson et al, 2001).…”