Spatial and temporal variability of PM2.5 and PM10 over the North China Plain and the Yangtze River Delta, China
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The North China Plain (NCP) and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China have been experiencing severe particulate matter (PM) pollution problems associated with the rapid economic growth and the accelerated urbanization. In this study, hourly mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 during June 1st-August 31st, 2013 were collected in 13 cities located in or adjacent to the NCP region and 20 cities located in the YRD region. The overall average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 77.0g/m3 and 136.2g/m3 in the NCP region, respectively, and 42.8g/m3 and 74.9g/m3 in the YRD region, respectively. The frequencies of occurrence of concentrations exceeding the China's Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) (BG3095-12) Grade I standards were 83% for PM2.5 and 93% for PM10 in the NCP region, and 51% for PM2.5 and 66% for PM10 in the YRD region. Strong temporal correlation for both PM2.5 and PM10 between cities within 250km was frequently observed. PM2.5 was found to be negatively associated with wind speed. On the PM2.5 episode days (when the 24h PM2.5 concentration is greater than 75g/m3), average PM2.5 concentrations were 2-4 times greater compared to the non-episode days. The PM2.5 to PM10 ratio increased from 0.50 (0.57) on the non-episode days to 0.64 (0.64) on the episode days in the NCP (YRD) region. No distinct weekday/weekend difference was observed for PM2.5, PM10, and other gaseous pollutants (CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) in all cities. The results presented in this paper will serve as an important basis for future regional air quality modeling and source apportionment studies. 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
