Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Aerosol Optical Depth and Its Relationship with Urbanization in Shandong Province

Abstract

In the process of rapid urbanization, air environment quality has become a hot issue. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) can be used to monitor air pollution effectively. In this paper, the Spearman coefficient is used to analyze the correlations between AOD and urban development, construction factors, and geographical environment factors in Shandong Province. The correlation between AOD and local climatic conditions in Shandong Province is analyzed by geographic weight regression (GWR). The results show that in the time period from 2007 to 2017, the AOD first rose and then fell, reaching its highest level in 2012, which is basically consistent with the time when the national environmental protection decree was issued. In terms of quarterly and monthly changes, AOD also rose first and then fell, the highest level in summer, with the highest monthly value occurring in June. In term of the spatial distribution, the high-value area is located in the northwestern part of Shandong Province, and the low-value area is located in the eastern coastal area. In terms of social factors, the correlation between pollutant emissions and AOD is much greater the correlations between AOD and population, economy, and construction indicators. In terms of environmental factors, the relationship between digital elevation model (DEM), temperature, precipitation, and AOD is significant, but the regulation of air in coastal areas is even greater. Finally, it was found that there are no obvious differences in AOD among cities with different development levels, which indicates that urban development does not inevitably lead to air pollution. Reasonable development planning and the introduction of targeted environmental protection policies can effectively alleviate pollution-related problems in the process of urbanization.

Characteristics of Atmospheric Aerosols Over the UAE Inferred From CALIPSO and Sun Photometer Aerosol Optical Depth

“…by Aldababseh et al (2018), can also explain the decreasing trend in AOD. While urbanization may lead to an increase in pollution and hence in the AOD values (R. Xue et al, 2019), it will also reduce the potential for dust emission. As dust is the prevailing aerosol subtype in the country, (Figures 5 and 6), and provided that the increase in AOD due to the pollution does not outweigh the decrease due to the reduced amounts of dust, less dust means overall lower AOD values, in line with what is seen in Figures 10(a) and (b).…”

Has land resource misallocation increased air pollution in Chinese cities?

“…On the one hand, they have heavy industrial cities, and on the other hand, they have active traditional transportation such as cars, which are one of the major sources of air pollution. In addition, due to the geographical environment of some cities, air ow is restricted, which aggravates air pollution (Xue et al, 2019). Column (5) re ects the results of this estimation, where the coe cient of LRM is positive at the 5% level of signi cance, indicating that LRM increases AP.…”

Characteristics of atmospheric aerosols over the UAE inferred from CALIPSO and Sun Photometer Aerosol Optical Depth

“…In addition, changes in land use and land cover in the UAE, noted for example, by Aldababseh et al (2018), can also explain the decreasing trend in AOD. While urbanization may lead to an increase in pollution and hence in the AOD values (R. Xue et al, 2019), it will also reduce the potential for dust emission. As dust is the prevailing aerosol subtype in the country (Figures 5 and 6), and provided that the increase in AOD due to the pollution does not outweigh the decrease due to the reduced amounts of dust, less dust means overall lower AOD values, in line with what is seen in Figures 10a and 10b.…”