Fine particulate matter pollution in North China: Seasonal-spatial variations, source apportionment, sector and regional transport contributions

Xiangyang Liu; Xiaoxuan Bai; Hezhong Tian; Kun Wang; Shenbing Hua; Huanjia Liu; Shuhan Liu; Bobo Wu; Yiming Wu; Wei Liu; Lining Luo; Yuxuan Wang; Jiming Hao; Shumin Lin; Shuang Zhao; Kai Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.109368

Fine particulate matter pollution in North China: Seasonal-spatial variations, source apportionment, sector and regional transport contributions

Environ Res. 2020 May:184:109368. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109368. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Authors

Xiangyang Liu¹, Xiaoxuan Bai¹, Hezhong Tian², Kun Wang³, Shenbing Hua⁴, Huanjia Liu¹, Shuhan Liu¹, Bobo Wu¹, Yiming Wu¹, Wei Liu¹, Lining Luo¹, Yuxuan Wang⁵, Jiming Hao⁶, Shumin Lin¹, Shuang Zhao¹, Kai Zhang⁷

Affiliations

¹ State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
² State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China. Electronic address: hztian@bnu.edu.cn.
³ Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Beijing Municipal Institute of Labor Protection, Beijing, 100054, China.
⁴ Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; China Electric Power Research Institute, Beijing, 100192, China.
⁵ Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
⁶ School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
⁷ Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Houston, TX, USA.

PMID: 32192990
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109368

Abstract

Large areas of mainland China have been suffering frequently from heavy haze pollution during the past years, which feature high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, particulate matters with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm) and low visibility. Moreover, these areas manifested strong regional complex pollution characteristics, particularly in North China including Beijing and the five surrounding provinces (BSFP). In this study, by using the localized comprehensive emission inventory of BSFP region in 2012 as an input, the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions-Particulate Matter Source Apportionment Technology (CAMx/PSAT) was used to assess the seasonal variations and source apportionment of PM_2.5 in the highly polluted BSFP region, with a specific focus on the sectoral and sub-regional contributions to PM_2.5 in Beijing during winter and summer. Results showed that the PM_2.5 concentrations of BSFP region was higher in winter than that in summer. And the heavily polluted area in BSFP region shrinked noticeably in summer, compared with winter. As for source apportionment of PM_2.5, residential and remaining industrial sectors constituted the top two sources of PM_2.5 mass concentrations in Beijing. In addition, agricultural source represented a major contributor to ammonium, whereas transportation and power sectors constituted major sources to nitrates. In terms of contributions from sub-regions, the local sources ranked as the dominant contributors to PM_2.5 in Beijing, while the main external contributions originated from the surrounding areas, such as Hebei and Shandong. Results of daily source apportionment to PM_2.5 in Beijing showed that sub-regional long-distance transport became stronger when haze pollution was severe, in which contribution from remaining industrial sector would be higher than that of other periods. The results will allow for an improved understanding of the causes and origins of heavy regional PM_2.5 pollution, and thus will benefit the development of effective joint control policies and identification of key polluting emission categories in North China and ultimately serve as references for other highly polluted megacities in the world.

Keywords: CAMx/PSAT model; PM(2.5); Regional transport; Seasonal and spatial variations; Sectoral contribution; Source apportionment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollution* / analysis
China
Environmental Monitoring
Particulate Matter / analysis
Seasons

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter