Transport Influence and Potential Sources of PM2.5 Pollution for Nanjing

Abstract

In this study, 24-hour backward trajectories of the air mass in Nanjing were calculated by using the HYSPLIT model with the NCEP global reanalysis data from March 2019 to February 2020. The backward trajectories combined with the hourly concentration data of PM2.5 were then utilized in the trajectory clustering analysis and potential pollution source analysis. The results showed that the average concentration of PM2.5 in Nanjing was(36±20) μg·m-3 during the study period, with 17 days exceeding the grade Ⅱ national ambient air quality standards (75 μg·m-3). PM2.5 concentration exhibited clear seasonal variation, with winter (49 μg·m-3)>spring (42 μg·m-3)>autumn (31 μg·m-3)>summer (24 μg·m-3). PM2.5 concentration was significantly positively correlated with surface air pressure but significantly negatively correlated with air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and wind speed. Based on the trajectories, seven transport routes were identified in spring, and six routes for the other seasons. The northwest and south-southeast routes in spring, southeast route in autumn, and southwest route in winter were the main pollution transport routes in each season, with the characteristics of short transport distance and slow air mass movement, indicating that local accumulation was one of the main reasons for the high value of PM2.5 in quiet and stable weather. The distance of the northwest route in winter was large, and the PM2.5 concentration was 58 μg·m-3, which was the 2nd highest concentration in all routes, indicating that the cities in the northeast of Anhui had a great transport influence on Nanjing PM2.5. The distribution of PSCF and CWT was relatively consistent, and the main potential source areas were mainly local and adjacent areas of Nanjing, indicating that PM2.5 control is needed to strengthen local control and carry out joint prevention and control with adjacent areas. Winter was most affected by transport, its main potential source area was located at the junction of northwest Nanjing and Chuzhou, and the main source origin was in Chuzhou; therefore joint prevention and control should be expanded to Anhui.