Abstract
The air quality over China exhibits seasonal and regional variation, resulting from heterogeneity in industrialization, and is highly affected by variability in meteorological conditions. We performed the first national-scale exploration of the relationship between the Air Pollution Index (API) and multiple meteorological parameters in China, using partial correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses. Relative humidity, wind speed, and temperature were the dominant factors influencing air quality year-round, due to their significant effects on pollutant dispersion and/or transformation of pollutants. The response of the API to single or multiple meteorological factors varied among cities and seasons, and a regional clustering of response mechanisms was observed, particularly in winter. Clear north–south differentiation was detected in the mechanisms of API response to relative humidity and wind speed. These findings provide insight into the spatiotemporal variation in air quality sensitivity to meteorological conditions, which will be useful for implementing regional air pollution control strategies.
Highlights
Rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to corresponding degrees of air quality degradation [1]
Excessive anthropogenic emissions, dominated by residential energy use, are a major contributor to air pollution in China [3]. Because these emissions remain almost constant during a given season, air quality is mainly determined by meteorological parameters with multifaceted characteristics that change over various spatiotemporal scales [4]
Prior to 2008, most cities suffered from serious air pollution; conditions have gradually improved in recent years, resulting from strict control of anthropogenic emissions, which started during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
Summary
Rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to corresponding degrees of air quality degradation [1]. In 2015, 78.4% of 338 monitored cities exceeded the China National Ambient Air Quality Standards, demonstrating a grim environmental situation despite the implementation of a series of countermeasures [2]. Excessive anthropogenic emissions, dominated by residential energy use, are a major contributor to air pollution in China [3]. Because these emissions remain almost constant during a given season, air quality is mainly determined by meteorological parameters with multifaceted characteristics that change over various spatiotemporal scales [4]. It is essential to explore spatial-temporal relationship between air quality and meteorological conditions if we are to control and reduce pollution with effective measures
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