Variability of satellite-based total aerosols and the relationship with emission, meteorology and landscape in North China during 2000–2016

Abstract

North China has recently experienced a deteriorating air quality featured by high aerosol concentration. Spatiotemporal variability of total aerosols and the relationship with emission, meteorology and landscape are investigated in North China during 2000–2016. Results suggest that total aerosol concentration has significantly (p < 0.05) increased since 2000 and declined after 2011. A rising fraction of small-size anthropogenic aerosols is suggested by the declining trend of aerosol size and the growing consumption of fossil fuels, electricity and vehicles. Increasing anthropogenic emissions, declining natural emissions as well as declining wind speed have contributed 34–73%, 2–52% and 43–61% to the build-up of aerosols. Seasonally, the highest aerosol concentration in summer and the lowest in winter are partly influenced by the distinct seasonal patterns of wind direction, speed and vertical velocity. Spatially, the lower elevation and two land cover types with intense human disturbances have shaped high aerosol concentration with large increasing trends in eastern North China. Additionally, the increasing aerosol concentration has significantly reduced sunshine duration, evapotranspiration (p < 0.01) and diurnal temperature range (p < 0.05), whereas aerosol size greatly influences precipitation (p < 0.05) in North China.