Characteristics of complex air pollution in typical cities of North China

Abstract

The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration is currently facing severe complex air pollution. In this paper, simultaneous observations conducted in 2014 show that the annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was 84 ± 70, 86 ± 60, and 118 ± 95 μg m−3 in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang, respectively. The mean O3_8 h max in the summer was 171 ± 43, 147 ± 45, and 146 ± 44 μg m−3, respectively. This research indicates that PM2.5 and O3 are positively correlated when the temperature exceeds 20 °C, and the urban agglomeration shows characteristics of complex air pollution consisting of superimposed O3 and PM2.5. In summer, when the humidity was less than 55%, secondary particles and O3 also increased in a coordinated manner (y = 1.35x + 29.85; R2 = 0.61), which demonstrates severe complex pollution. However, the mean PM2.5 (y) and mean O3_8 h max (x) in summer showed a negative correlation (y = −1.3x + 245; R2 = 0.61) in the three regions, indicating high concentrations of PM2.5 pollution partially inhibit O3 generation.

Keywords

• O3
• PM2.5
• PM10
• complex air pollution
• Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration