Evolutionary relationship between the PM2.5 concentration and urbanization in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone

Abstract

The non-linear influence of urbanization on the PM 2.5 concentration and the driving mechanism is an important research topic for ensuring high-quality development of eco-economic zones. Based on the urban panel data for the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone from 2010 to 2019, spatial analysis and other methods were used to investigate the temporal and spatial differences, spatial evolution characteristics, and spatial correlation of the PM 2.5 concentration in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone. In addition the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) model was used to test the possible EKC relationships. The results showed that ① the PM 2.5 concentration in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone varied widely from 2010 to 2019, and the annual average PM 2.5 concentration exhibited an overall fluctuating decreasing trend during the study period; ② the PM 2.5 concentration in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone exhibited a spatial distribution that was high in the southeastern region and low in the other regions; ③ a positive spatial correlation existed between the PM 2.5 concentration and urbanization in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone from 2010 to 2019; and ④ there was an N-type EKC relationship between the PM 2.5 pollution and urbanization in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone. This study provides a new perspective for exploring the relationship between the PM 2.5 concentration and urbanization, an important reference for achieving environmental protection and sustainable urban development in the Yellow River Ecological and Economic Zone, and guidance for relevant departments to formulate PM 2.5 reduction policies.