Spatial Distribution Patterns and Influencing Factors of PM2.5 Pollution in the Yangtze River Delta: Empirical Analysis Based on a GWR Model

Abstract

Based on the PM2.5 concentration and economic and social data in the Yangtze River Delta during 2006–2016, the spatial distribution characteristics of PM2.5 pollution and the spatial heterogeneity of its influencing factors are analyzed using exploratory spatial data analysis and a geographically weighted regression model. The results show the following . The PM2.5 pollution situation is serious and presents a remarkable feature of spatial agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta. Highly polluted areas are mainly concentrated in the northern cities of the Yangtze River Delta, while the air quality of the southern cities of the Yangtze River Delta is better. There is a significant positive spatial spillover effect of PM2.5 pollution in the Yangtze River Delta, which is to say that the air quality will be worsened by the PM2.5 pollution of surrounding cities . The influence coefficients of the population density, industrial proportion, car ownership and FDI on PM2.5 have spatial heterogeneity; that is, there are significant differences in their degrees of influence between different periods and cities.