Mechanism of Spatiotemporal Air Quality Response to Meteorological Parameters: A National-Scale Analysis in China

Zhi Qiao, Feng Wu, Xinliang Xu, Jin Yang and Luo Liu
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Zhi Qiao: Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environment Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
Feng Wu: Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Xinliang Xu: State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Jin Yang: School of Humanities and Economic Management, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 10083, China
Luo Liu: Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center for Land Information Technology, The College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: The air quality over China exhibits seasonal and regional variation, resulting from heterogeneity in industrialization, and is highly affected by variability in meteorological conditions. We performed the first national-scale exploration of the relationship between the Air Pollution Index (API) and multiple meteorological parameters in China, using partial correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses. Relative humidity, wind speed, and temperature were the dominant factors influencing air quality year-round, due to their significant effects on pollutant dispersion and/or transformation of pollutants. The response of the API to single or multiple meteorological factors varied among cities and seasons, and a regional clustering of response mechanisms was observed, particularly in winter. Clear north–south differentiation was detected in the mechanisms of API response to relative humidity and wind speed. These findings provide insight into the spatiotemporal variation in air quality sensitivity to meteorological conditions, which will be useful for implementing regional air pollution control strategies.

Keywords: Air Pollution Index (API); meteorological parameters; spatiotemperal variation; partial correlation analysis; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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