Long-Term Spatiotemporal Trend Analysis (1998–2016) of PM2.5 in China Using Satellite Product

Abstract

Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution has brought a strong focus on public health and environmental quality in China because of its adverse effects. To evaluate the effect of technological and social development on environmental quality in China, it's in urgent need of understanding the long-term spatiotemporal trend of PM2.5 concentrations. In this paper, satellite-derived annual mean PM2.5 estimates (1998–2016) were validated using ground-based PM2.5 measurements (2015–2016) and then used for spatiotemporal trend analysis. The results indicated that national mean PM2.5 concentrations in China increased primarily before 2008, and then decreased. The spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentration is high level in the east and while low in the west of Heihe-Tengchong Line in China. Our findings provided a profound understanding of PM2.5 variations and affirmed the effectiveness of implemented measures of reducing PM2.5 loadings in China, offering important reference data for relevant policy making of air pollution prevention in the future.