Changing PM2.5 concentrations in China from 1998 to 2014

Abstract

Ambient particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) has been reported as a major pollutant that threatens human health, decreases visibility, and affects the regional and global climate. China, which is among world's most polluted countries of PM2.5, is faced with a severe challenge for PM2.5 mitigation. However, a lack of long-term PM2.5 concentration data on a large spatial scale has hindered comprehensive understanding of spatial and temporal variations of PM2.5 concentrations. Based on the satellite-derived PM2.5 concentration data, we generated maps of PM2.5 concentrations at county level in China. The cartogram and spatial analyst tool in ArcGIS 10.2 are used to visualize the changing temporal and spatial patterns of PM2.5 concentrations.