Central Plains Economic Region Research Articles

Spatial Analysis of Tertiary Industry Evolution Based on Gravity Model: A Case of Central Plains Economic Region in China

The service and knowledge economy has emerged as the primary drivers of national economic growth, with the tertiary industry leading the way. To promote growth in the central plain region and achieve structural convergence of industries for sustainable, rapid, and healthy economic development, conducting a spatial structural analysis of the evolution of the industrial structure is essential. However, traditional statistical analysis needs to keep pace with the dynamic and non-linear relationships within and outside industries. In this paper, we propose a novel spatial analysis method based on the gravity model to examine the tertiary industry in China’s central plains economic region (CPER). By analyzing statistical data from 2018 to 2022, our results reveal that the economic linkage intensity (F-value) of the tertiary industry in CPER has increased over the years. Specifically, F-values for the high-end, general, and other service industries are 2815, 9882, and 14,826, respectively. The network density (D-value) indicates a single-core structure, with D-values of 0.71, 0.74, and 0.82 for high-end, general, and other service industries. Our findings suggest that the economic linkage network of the tertiary industry in CPER has matured, with solid industry integration and convergence of the regional financial industry structure. There is a high correlation (p < 0.01) among various network structures in the service industry, and a stable and cohesive subgroup with multicentre characteristics is beginning to emerge. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of the tertiary industry in CPER during the later stage of the 14th Five-Year Plan in China.

Quantifying the Source Contributions to Poor Atmospheric Visibility in Winter over the Central Plains Economic Region in China

The Central Plains Economic Region (CPER) is one of the most polluted regions in China. Air pollution has caused visibility degradation due to the light extinction of fine particles (PM2.5). However, the source of light extinction and visibility degradation is still unclear. In this study, the nested air quality prediction model system coupled with an online tracer-tagging module has been used to quantify the contribution of emission sectors and regions to visibility degradation. The light extinction coefficients were well reproduced over CPER. The results showed that resident-related emissions, traffic and industry were the main sectors of visibility degradation over CPER, contributing 55~62%, 10~28%, and 9~19%, respectively. The contribution of local emissions and regional transport was also investigated, and the results showed that regional transport dominated the light extinction (56~68%), among which transport within Henan province contributes significantly (12~45%). Sensitivity tests showed that the reduction in the resident-related sector was more effective than that of the industry sector. Emission control of 40% in resident-related, industry, and traffic sectors over the whole region can achieve the goal of good visibility. This study will provide scientific suggestions for the control strategies development to mitigate visibility degradation over CPER.

Sources of PM2.5 and its responses to emission reduction strategies in the Central Plains Economic Region in China: Implications for the impacts of COVID-19

The Central Plains Economic Region (CPER) located along the transport path to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area has experienced severe PM2.5 pollution in recent years. However, few modeling studies have been performed on the sources of PM2.5, especially the impacts of emission reduction strategies. In this study, the Nested Air Quality Prediction Model System (NAQPMS) with an online tracer-tagging module was adopted to investigate source sectors of PM2.5 and a series of sensitivity tests were conducted to investigate the impacts of different sector-based mitigation strategies on PM2.5 pollution. The response surfaces of pollutants to sector-based emission changes were built. The results showed that resident-related sector (resident and agriculture), fugitive dust, traffic and industry emissions were the main sources of PM2.5 in Zhengzhou, contributing 49%, 19%, 15% and 13%, respectively. Response surfaces of pollutants to sector-based emission changes in Henan revealed that the combined reduction of resident-related sector and industry emissions efficiently decreased PM2.5 in Zhengzhou. However, reduced emissions in only the Henan region barely satisfied the national air quality standard of 75 μg/m3, whereas a 50%–60% reduction in resident-related sector and industry emissions over the whole region could reach this goal. On severely polluted days, even a 60% reduction in these two sectors over the whole region was insufficient to satisfy the standard of 75 μg/m3. Moreover, a reduction in traffic emissions resulted in an increase in the O3 concentration. The results of the response surface method showed that PM2.5 in Zhengzhou decreased by 19% in response to the COVID-19 lockdown, which approached the observed reduction of 21%, indicating that the response surface method could be employed to study the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on air pollution. This study provides a scientific reference for the formulation of pollution mitigation strategies in the CPER.

Molecular characteristics, source contributions, and exposure risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the core city of Central Plains Economic Region, China: Insights from the variation of haze levels

In this study, molecular characteristics, source contributions, and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 for four haze levels in Zhengzhou, a megacity in central China with severe air pollution problems, have been analyzed. The concentrations of PAHs and PM2.5 on heavy haze (HH) days were 63% and 122% higher than non-haze (NH) days. The occurrence of high PAH concentration was often accompanied by the northwest wind along with adverse meteorological conditions that limit regional dispersion. The source apportionment results indicated that almost all sources contributed more PAH concentration on haze days. In particular, coal combustion and vehicle emissions contributions were almost doubled on HH days. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of PAHs has been assessed. BaP and DahA showed relatively high contributions to ILCR, and 31%–48% of ILCR is due to exposure to PAHs on high HH days.

Source apportionment of PM2.5 in the most polluted Central Plains Economic Region in China: Implications for joint prevention and control of atmospheric pollution

With continuous strengthening of emission control actions, the air quality in northern China during winter has been improved in recent years. However, the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration remains high in the Central Plains Economic Region (CPER). The Nested Air Quality Prediction Modeling System coupled with an on-line source-tagged model was applied to investigate the source apportionment of primary and secondary PM2.5 in the most polluted area of China from November 2017 to March 2018. On average, local emissions represent the largest contributor to ambient PM2.5 levels, followed by transport from circumjacent cities at five receptors in northern CPER. Under high PM2.5 concentrations (more than 150 μg/m3), 60%–70% of the primary PM2.5 is freshly emitted on the current day, while the contribution of the current day, one day ago, and two or more days ago are comparable to secondary aerosols. The estimation of contributions based on distance shows that the contribution from regions within 200 km reaches more than 80% of the primary PM2.5, while the contribution from long-range transport within 200–500 km still accounts for more than 20% of the secondary PM2.5 at the receptor sites. These results indicate that control measures of primary particle emission should be effective to reduce the primary PM2.5 levels within local and nearby regions, and control measures of gas phase precursors one or more days in advance should be beneficial to surrounding regions within 500 km. The process analysis results of the change in PM2.5 mass over the northern part of the CPER during increased PM2.5 periods illustrate that the existing particle total transport is smaller than the secondary aerosol chemical production and primary aerosol emissions since the westerly and southerly net inputs are mostly offset by the large net outputs at the east boundary in both cases. This finding indicates that the ambient PM2.5 mass in a selected area is strongly affected by the upstream region; meanwhile, the PM2.5 in this area also spreads to the downstream region. Joint prevention and control measures that cooperate with upstream regions for both primary particles and gas phase precursor emissions are crucial for improving the air quality over polluted areas. As the emission control measures would lead to some economic losses, beneficiary downstream regions could reasonably provide certain economic compensation to upstream regions if emergency control measures are taken.

Characteristics, sources, and reactions of nitrous acid during winter at an urban site in the Central Plains Economic Region in China

Abstract. Nitrous acid (HONO) in the core city of the Central Plains Economic Region in China was measured using an ambient ion monitor from 9 to 31 January 2019. Measurement time intervals were classified into the following periods in accordance with the daily mean values of PM2.5: clean days (CDs), polluted days (PDs), and severely polluted days (SPDs). The HONO concentrations during CD, PD, and SPD periods were 1.2, 2.3, and 3.7 ppbv, respectively. The contributions of the homogeneous reaction, heterogeneous conversion, and direct emissions to HONO sources varied under different pollution levels. The mean values of the net HONO production of the homogeneous reaction (POH+NOnet) in CD, PD, and SPD periods were 0.13, 0.26, and 0.56 ppbv h−1, respectively. The average conversions of NO2 (CHONO) in CD, PD, and SPD periods were 0.72×10-2, 0.64×10-2, and 1.54×10-2 h−1, respectively, indicating that the heterogeneous conversion of NO2 was less important than the homogeneous reaction. Furthermore, the net production of the homogeneous reaction may have been the main factor in the increase of HONO under high-NOx conditions (i.e., when the concentration of NO was higher than that of NO2) at nighttime. Daytime HONO budget analysis showed that the mean values of the unknown source (Punknown) during CD, PD, and SPD periods were 0.26, 0.40, and 1.83 ppbv h−1, respectively. The values of POH+NOnet, CHONO, and Punknown in the SPDs period were comparatively larger than those in other periods, indicating that HONO participated in many reactions. The proportions of nighttime HONO sources also changed during the entire sampling period. Direct emissions and a heterogeneous reaction controlled HONO production in the first half of the night and provided a contribution that is larger than that of the homogeneous reaction. The proportion of homogenization gradually increased in the second half of the night due to the steady increase in NO concentrations. The hourly level of HONO abatement pathways, except for OH + HONO, was at least 0.22 ppbv h−1 in the SPDs period. The cumulative frequency distribution of the HONOemission∕HONO ratio (less than 20 %) was approximately 77 %, which suggested that direct emission was not important. The heterogeneous HONO production increased when the relative humidity (RH) increased, but it decreased when RH increased further. The average HONO∕NOx ratio (4.9 %) was more than twice the assumed globally averaged value (2.0 %).

Spatial Heterogeneity Analysis of PM2.5 Concentration in Central Plains Economic Region

The research of the spatial heterogeneity of PM2.5 concentration in an area, is of great significance for understanding its regional spatial distribution structure, exploring the transmission relationship between regions, in order to formulate joint prevention and control measures within the entire area. Based on the daily monitoring data of PM2.5 concentration in the Central Plains Economic Region in 2019, this paper utilizes cluster analysis to divide the regional PM2.5 concentration into 5 classes, builds their spatial semi-variogram model, and then utilizes interpolation analysis method to study the regional overall distribution characteristics and transmission law. The results show that the PM2.5 concentration in the Central Plains Economic Region has a medium or higher spatial autocorrelation. The critical value of the overall PM2.5 concentration in the area is 150 μg/m3, as the overall PM2.5 concentration less than the value, the PM2.5 in a region mainly comes from local emissions, as the overall PM2.5 concentration higher than the value, the influence of spatial structure on the distribution of PM2.5 concentration is gradually obvious. PM2.5 has a certain degree of spatial transmission, which mainly includes two routes as Puyang-Xingtai and Puyang-Zhengzhou, and the transmission intensity of the former is greater than the latter.

Efficiency and Spatial Equity Impacts of High-Speed Rail on the Central Plains Economic Region of China

Efficiency impacts can be assessed based on improvements in accessibility promoted by the high-speed rail (HSR) project, focusing mainly on major urban areas. Spatial equity impacts originate from changes in the distribution of accessibility levels observed across such cities. This study uses the weighted average travel time and coefficient of variation to explore the impact of HSR on efficiency and spatial equity within the Central Plains Economic Region (CPER) and to build an “efficiency-equity” model to identify optimal upgrading of conventional rail (CR) lines to improve the accessibility of the CPER and mitigate regional disparities. The results indicate that since the operation of HSR, accessibility levels across the CPER have improved by roughly 24.56%, and the spatial distribution of gains has been uneven since the most significant improvements have occurred in HSR cities and large cities. Inequality in regional accessibility has increased by 28.12%, creating a more heterogeneous pattern of accessibility. With goals of “efficiency” and “equity”, an examination of the upgrading of CR as an approach shows that “Xinxiang-Jiaozuo” and “Xinxiang-Jiaozuo-Sanmenxia-Yuncheng” are the best upgraded lines for improving the efficiency of the CPER and limiting regional disparities. The results of this study serve as supportive information for the planning and construction of HSR lines and networks and for underdeveloped regional transport system policymaking.

Spatio-temporal Variations in NO2 and PM2.5 over the Central Plains Economic Region of China during 2005-2015 Based on Satellite Observations

The Central Plains Economic Region (CPER) is located in central eastern China and has experienced tremendous economic growth in the last decade. Like many areas in China, the rapid economic development of the CPER has led to serious air pollution problems, including extremely high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5). However, the current air pollution monitoring system lacks good spatial and temporal coverage. Therefore, we used high-resolution satellite remote sensing techniques to analyze the variation in NO2 and PM2.5 in the CPER from 2005 through 2015. The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to retrieve the tropospheric NO2 columns and ground-level PM2.5 concentrations, respectively. High NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations were mainly located in the central and northern areas of the CPER. The highest 11-year average concentrations were found in the city of Jiaozuo for NO2 (19.54 × 1015 molecules cm–2) and in the city of Hebi for PM2.5 (107.8 µg m–3). The western and southern mountainous areas had lower NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations. The average seasonal NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations were both highest in winter and lowest in summer. The average monthly concentrations of NO2 and PM2.5 were as high as 24.60 × 1015 molecules cm–2 and 152.2 µg m–3, respectively, in January 2013 and as low as 43.86 × 1015 molecules cm–2 and 40.2 µg m–3, respectively, in July 2006. During the 11-year study period (2005–2015), the CPER concentrations of both NO2 and PM2.5 decreased from 2011 to 2015 by 31.5% and 36.8%, respectively. This study successfully applies satellite remote sensing data to quantitatively analyze the spatial-temporal distributions of tropospheric NO2 and ground-level PM2.5. This approach can support air pollution monitoring in the CPER, and the estimated concentrations can provide references for environmental policymaking.

The Balanced Development of Urban and Rural Education under the Background of Central Plains of Economic Region

In the world, the problem of unfair education or imbalance in education still exists in a variety of ways. The main manifestations are differences between countries, namely, the discrepancies of educational resources and educational opportunities in developed and developing countries, and regional disparities, such as the differences between the Midwest and the urban and rural areas. Gender differences generally refers to unequal access to education for men and women. In China, the imbalance of education is mainly embodied in urban and rural differences, urban and urban differences, regional differences and inter-school differences, among which the urban and rural education differences are the key part. It is one of the most important issue of the national livelihood. Promoting the balanced development of education is of great significance to the construction of central plains economic region.

Study on long-term aerosol distribution over central plains economic region using MODIS data

The long-term (2000-2013) Moderate Resolution Imaging (MODIS) level 2 aerosol products were used to study the spatial and temporal distributions of both aerosol optical depths (AOD) over Central Plains Economic Region (CPER), which is critical for a thorough understanding of its formation, transport and accumulation in the atmosphere. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of AOD with higher values locate in Xinxiang city, Kaifeng city, Zhengzhou city and Jiaozuo city. The lower ones locate in the south of Shanxi province and the west of Henan province, which are all mountainous regions. Spring and summer are the two seasons with the lowest AOD in a year. The minimum AOD in CPER occurred in winter. In the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA), Kaifeng city, Xinxiang city and Zhengzhou city are the areas with the worst air pollution of particulate matter. The AOD over CPER significantly reduce during the period from 2011 to 2013. In the long term, however, the condition of particulate matter pollution has not been improved.