Comparative analysis of the characteristics of atmospheric pollution in Beijing before and after the APEC conference

Abstract

In recent years, the atmospheric pollution in Beijing has become increasingly serious. The municipal government has launched a series of scientific research programs to prevent and control air pollution. In order to guarantee good air quality during the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference, strong environmental control measures were adopted in Beijing and surrounding areas, which successfully resulted in “APEC Blue”. This paper is one of the key municipal scientific research projects, in which the air quality in Beijing was monitored throughout the APEC conference for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness and operability of the coordinated environmental control measures. In this paper, the correlation between PM2.5 and PM10 and their variation rules are summarized through all-weather monitoring of NO2, NO, O3, PM2.5 and PM10 during the APEC conference. In addition, the photochemical reaction mechanism and major influencing factors in Beijing are revealed by comparative analysis of the NO2, NO and O3 concentration variation trend. The characteristics of atmospheric pollution and major pollution factors in Beijing are clarified through statistical analysis of the monitoring data. This paper gives us an insight into the smog in Beijing and provides an important basis for the municipal government to adopt corresponding prevention and control measures.