Temporal and spatial variations of haze and fog and the characteristics of PM2.5 during heavy pollution episodes in China from 2013 to 2018

Abstract

In recent years, the frequent occurrence of haze and fog events in East and Central China has caused a serious reduction in atmospheric visibility and had a huge impact on human health. Based on the relative humidity, visibility and PM2.5 concentration, the occurrence frequencies of haze as well as the spatial and temporal variations of fog, haze and mist in China from 2013 to 2018 were analyzed. The occurrence frequency of the three weather phenomena increased from 2013 until 2016, and then decreased. Regarding seasonal distribution, haze days are concentrated in winter, while mist often appears in spring and autumn. Clean fog mainly occurs in high-mountain stations and clean areas with high relative humidity, while polluted fog is more common in densely populated cities. In Beijing, the proportion of clean weather increases year by year, PM2.5 in haze weather in Beijing mainly consists of organic carbon, nitrate, sulfate and other secondary aerosols. Most fog events are accompanied by air pollution. The dominant haze is humid haze, which means that its occurrence and aggravation are usually related to aerosol hygroscopic growth.