Abstract
ABSTRACT This study investigated the atmospheric PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 in Urumqi and Turfan cities from 2015 to 2017. In addition, six AQI categories and AQI values and seasonal changes in the major pollutants in Urumqi and Turpan were studied. In the three-year (2015–2017) study, in Urumqi, the average proportion of grades I, II, III, IV, V, and VI in spring were 16.3%, 59.7%, 16.0%, 5.33%, 2.67%, and 0%, respectively, were 12.0%, 82.7%, 5.33%, 0%, 0%, and 0% in summer; were 13.3%, 65.7%, 16.3%, 3.33%, 1.33%, and 0% in fall, and were 0.667%, 14.3%, 22.3%, 15.3%, 33.7%, and 13.7% in winter. In the Turpan region, the mean proportion of Grade I, II, III, IV, V, and VI pollutants were 0%, 61%, 21.3%, 8.00%, 2.33%, and 7.33% in spring, respectively; were 0.67%, 74.7%, 20.0%, 2.00%, 0.67%, and 2.00% in summer, were 1.33%, 59.7%, 42.3%, 7.67%, 0.33%, and 2.00% in fall, and were 0%, 11.0%, 35.3%, 29.3%, 20.3%, and 4.00% in winter. In the three-year (2015–2017) study, based on the results of the survey, it was determined that two cities have the best air quality in summer and the worst air quality in winter. In Urumqi, when the AQI was between 101–150, the main air pollutants in 2015 were PM2.5 and PM10. In 2016, the main air pollutant was PM2.5, and in 2017, the main air pollutants were PM2.5 and PM10. In Turpan, the main air pollutants in 2015 were PM2.5 and PM10, were PM2.5, PM10, and O3 in 2016, and was PM10 in 2017. When the AQI was between 151 and 200, in Urumqi, the main atmospheric pollutant in the three-year period was PM2.5. In Turpan, the main atmospheric pollutants in the three-year period were PM2.5 and PM10. When the AQI was between 201 and 300 in Urumqi, PM2.5 was the main atmospheric pollutant from 2015–2017. In Turpan, the main atmospheric pollutants in the three-year period were PM2.5 and PM10. To summarize, in both Urumqi and Turpan, PM2.5 and PM10 were the most predominant air pollutants causing high AQI values. More attention should thus be paid to the sources and reduction of these pollutants.
Highlights
With economic growth and urban construction, and with industrialization, urbanization is further expanded, so environmental pollution has become more and more serious (Heal et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2013)
SO2 and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released from the combustion of fossil fuels or some types of industrial production are discharged into the atmosphere and undergo a chemical reaction to form sulfuric acid or nitric acid
In Urumqi, the average monthly PM2.5 concentration ranged from 24–147 μg m–3 in 2015, with an average of 65 μg m–3; in 2016, it was 24–201 μg m–3, with an average of 73 μg m–3; in 2017, it was 19–228 μg m–3, with an average of 71 μg m–3
Summary
With economic growth and urban construction, and with industrialization, urbanization is further expanded, so environmental pollution has become more and more serious (Heal et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2013). Industrial activities, the burning of chemical fuels, the emission of smoke from domestic stoves, and the emission of automobile exhaust caused by an increase in the number of automobiles have caused serious air pollution. Air pollution is a major risk affecting human health. The harmful effects of atmospheric pollutants on the human body vary. The harm of PM10 cannot be ignored Nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere has a variety of toxicities and damages the bronchus and lungs after entering the human body, which can induce various types of respiratory inflammation (Ezzati and Kammen, 2002; Tong et al, 2018). SO2 and NOx released from the combustion of fossil fuels or some types of industrial production are discharged into the atmosphere and undergo a chemical reaction to form sulfuric acid or nitric acid.
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