Relationships between Springtime PM 2.5, PM 10, and O 3 Pollution and the Boundary Layer Structure in Beijing, China

Qing Zhou, Lei Cheng, Yong Zhang, Zhe Wang and Shili Yang
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Qing Zhou: Meteorological Observation Center, China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Beijing 100081, China
Lei Cheng: Institute for Development and Programme Design, China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Beijing 100081, China
Yong Zhang: Institute for Development and Programme Design, China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Beijing 100081, China
Zhe Wang: Institute for Development and Programme Design, China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Beijing 100081, China
Shili Yang: Beijing Meteorological Observation Centre, Beijing Meteorological Bureau, Beijing 100089, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Complex pollution with high aerosol and ozone concentrations has recently been occurring in several densely populated cities in China, raising concerns about the influence of meteorological factors, including synoptic circulation and local conditions. In this study, comprehensive analyses on the associations between PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and O 3 and meteorological conditions were conducted based on observations from radar wind profiler, microwave radiometer, automatic weather station, and air quality monitoring sites in Beijing during the spring of 2019. The results showed that the boundary layer height and temperature inversion were negatively (positively) correlated with PM (O 3 ) concentrations, modulating the degree of air pollution. Five identified synoptic patterns were derived using geopotential height data of the ERA5 reanalysis, among which Type 1, characterised by south-westerly prevailing winds with high pressure to the south, was considered to be associated with severe PM and O 3 contamination. This indicates that air pollutants originating from southern regions exert a major influence on Beijing through the transportation effect. In addition, high temperature, relative humidity, and low wind velocity exacerbate pollution. Overall, this study provides significant information for understanding the vital roles played by meteorological elements at both the regional and local scales in regulating air contamination during spring in Beijing.

Keywords: PM and O 3 pollution; planetary boundary layer; synoptic patterns; springtime; Beijing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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