Impact of atmospheric thermodynamic structures and aerosol radiation feedback on winter regional persistent heavy particulate pollution in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, China

Long-Term Air Pollution Characteristics and Multi-scale Meteorological Factor Variability Analysis of Mega-mountain Cities in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle

“…As one of the four major economic circles in China, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle covers an area of about 220,000 km 2 , with 18 cities and more than 100 million inhabitants (Gong et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2022a , 2022b ). The unique climatic features of the region are extremely low wind speeds (0.9–1.4 m/s), low boundary layer height, high relative humidity and frequent atmospheric inversions all year round (Liao et al, 2021 ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ; Qiao et al, 2019a , 2019b ). In recent years, the economy of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle has expanded rapidly, and energy consumption has increased sharply, forming a situation of double-high compound pollution of particulate pollution and photochemical smog.…”

“…Chongqing (28 ◦ ~ 32 ◦ N, 105 ◦ ~ 110 ◦ E) is a mountainous megacity located on the eastern edge of SCB. It is the main economic, manufacturing and transportation center in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Chen et al, 2019a , 2019b ; Harper et al, 2021 ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ). It is surrounded by mountains, and covers only 0.86% of the total land area of China, comprises more than 2.45% of the total population (Chen et al, 2019a , 2019b ; Harper et al, 2021 ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ).…”

“…It is the main economic, manufacturing and transportation center in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Chen et al, 2019a , 2019b ; Harper et al, 2021 ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ). It is surrounded by mountains, and covers only 0.86% of the total land area of China, comprises more than 2.45% of the total population (Chen et al, 2019a , 2019b ; Harper et al, 2021 ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ). At present, the districts and counties in Chongqing have been divided into one district and two groups according to their regional functions (Fig.…”

“…In this study, the 12 months were divided into four season categories (spring, summer, autumn and winter) (Kuang et al, 2018 ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ). The validity of environmental monitoring data strictly follows Chinese national standards GB 3095–2012 and GB/HJ 663–2013, HJ /T 193—2013 (Maji et al, 2018 ; Zhao et al, 2021 ).…”

“…While the overall air quality of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle is improved, it is necessary to strengthen the joint prevention and control of air pollution in areas with high pollution levels, especially the megacities of Chengdu and Chongqing. Chongqing is situated at the eastern edge of the Cheng-Yu region, surrounded by mountains and undulating terrain (Li et al, 2016 , 2021a , 2021b , 2021c ; Lu et al, 2022a , 2022b ). In addition, the land area of Chongqing is 5 times that of Beijing and 1.5 times that of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Ding et al, 2022 ; Kuang et al, 2018 ).…”