Spatiotemporal characterization of aerosols and trace gases over the Yangtze River Delta region, China: impact of trans-boundary pollution and meteorology

• DOI: 10.1186/s12302-022-00668-2
• Publication Date: 2022-09-08T10:03:04Z
• Authors: Zeeshan Javed; Muhammad Bilal; Zhongfeng Qiu; Guanlin Li; Osama Sandhu; Khalid Mehmood; Yu Wang; Md. Arfan Ali; Cheng Liu; Yuhang Wang; Ruibin Xue; Daolin Du; Xiaojun Zheng
• Keywords: Trace gas; Yangtze river; Action plan

Abstract Background The spatiotemporal variation of observed trace gases (NO 2 , SO O 3 ) and particulate matter (PM 2.5 PM 10 were investigated over cities Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region including Nanjing, Hefei, Shanghai Hangzhou. Furthermore, the characteristics different pollution episodes, i.e., haze events (visibility < 7 km, relative humidity 80%, > 40 µg/m complex episodes 35 160 studied YRD region. impact China clean air action plan on concentration aerosols is examined. impacts trans-boundary meteorological conditions also Results highest annual mean concentrations NO found for 2019 all cities. showed continuous declines from to 2021 due emission control measures implementation Clean Air Action levels a decline in 2020 region, which unprecedented since beginning China’s National environmental monitoring program 2013. However, slight increase was 2021. overall means whereas Nanjing. Despite strict measures, exceeded Grade-1 Ambient Quality Standards (NAAQS) WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines number days higher Hefei or concurrent occurrence Hangzhou Shanghai. situ data strong correlation with Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite data. Conclusions reductions primary pollutants concentrations, secondary formation still concern major metropolises. temperature lower favors accumulation while low temperature, wind speeds favor pollutants. This study depicts problems inside Therefore, there dire need analysis quality parameters design city-specific policies plans effectively deal metropolitan pollution.