Spatial distribution and temporal variation of atmospheric pollution in the South Gobi Desert, China, during 2016–2019

Abstract

The rapid pace of economic growth and urbanization in China affects both large and small cities of the country, causing an increase of pollutant concentrations in the air. The South Gobi is one of the main deserts and semidesert regions of the country; therefore, the study of air pollution near the potential source of natural aerosols is of great importance. Data obtained in the period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019 was used to analyze spatial-temporal characteristics of atmospheric pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and CO) in eight cities. Total mean concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were 36.1 ± 21.1 μg/m 3 and 98.6 ± 108.7 μg/m 3. The occurrence rates of concentrations exceeding the Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Standard (CNAAQS) grade 1 and grade 2 were 40.1% and 5.4% for PM 2.5 and 82.9% and 11.64% for PM 10 in the region. Total concentrations of SO 2 , NO 2 , and CO did not exceed the CNAAQS standard and were 20.8 ± 23.6 μg/m 3 , 22.6 ± 11.9 μg/m 3 , and 0.72 ± 0.39 mg/m 3 , respectively. The PM 2.5 to PM 10 ratio increased from 0.35 in spring to 0.46 in winter suggesting the predominance of coarse aerosol fractions in the atmosphere. Based on data on aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) ratio obtained from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the predominant aerosol types in the region are Clean Сontinental and Mixed. Maximum concentrations of pollutants and the highest AOD values in the region air are observed in spring and winter. Results set forth in this article will be an important basis for further regional studies on air quality and distribution of sources.

Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on Variations of SO2, NO2, CO and AOD over East China

“…Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) was produced by burning fossil fuels (coal and oil) and smelting mineral ores containing sulfur, as well as various chemical processes. The main anthropogenic source of SO 2 was the burning of sulfur-containing fossil fuels for heating homes, generating electricity, refining, and from cars (Filonchyk et al, 2020b). Since SO 2 was mainly produced by burning coal, the highest SO 2 values were recorded in North China Plain (above 0.45 DU), where there are power plants and coal mining industries (Fig.…”

“…5. China's energy consumption is dominated by energy-intensive industries and freight transportation, with residential electricity consumption and in commercial premises, private cars play a relatively minor role (Zhang et al, 2015;Filonchyk et al, 2020b). As can be seen from Fig.…”

Environmental implications of reduced electricity consumption in Wuhan during COVID-19 outbreak: A brief study

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