Spatio-Temporal Variation of PM2.5 Concentrations and Their Relationship with Geographic and Socioeconomic Factors in China

Abstract

Abstract:The air quality in China, particularly the PM 2.5 (particles less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) level, has become an increasing public concern because of its relation to health risks. The distribution of PM 2.5 concentrations has a close relationship with multiple geographic and socioeconomic factors, but the lack of reliable data has been the main obstacle to studying this topic. Based on the newly published Annual Average PM 2.5 gridded data, together with land use data, gridded population data and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, this paper explored the spatial-temporal characteristics of PM 2.5 concentrations and the factors impacting those concentrations in China for the years of 2001-2010. The contributions of urban areas, high population and economic development to PM 2.5 concentrations were analyzed using the Geographically Weighted OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11 174Regression (GWR) model. The results indicated that the spatial pattern of PM 2.5 concentrations in China remained stable during the period 2001-2010; high concentrations of PM 2.5 are mostly found in regions with high populations and rapid urban expansion, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in North China, East China (including the Shandong, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces) and Henan province. Increasing populations, local economic growth and urban expansion are the three main driving forces impacting PM 2.5 concentrations.

Impact of urbanization level on urban air quality: A case of fine particles (PM 2.5 ) in Chinese cities

“…van Donkelaar et al, 2010). However, few studies have quantitatively examined the spatial pattern of PM 2.5 concentrations in Chinese cities, and the impact of urbanization on PM 2.5 concentrations (Lin et al, 2014). This information is critically important for China to achieve the goals of the recently released long-term plan for controlling air pollution (http://www.…”

Spatial-temporal characteristics and determinants of PM2.5 in the Bohai Rim Urban Agglomeration

“…The region has formed a complete urban system. The BRUA is the core area of PM 2.5 pollution (Lin et al 2014). Of the 190 monitoring cities in China in 2014, the top ten highest PM 2.5 concentrations were found in the study area.…”

“…Some other researchers discussed the relationship between PM 2.5 and macroscopic socioeconomic factors. Lin et al (2014) applied remote sensing data to examine the spatio-temporal variation of PM 2.5 concentrations and their relationship with geographic and socioeconomic factors from 2001 to 2010 in China. The results show that local economic growth and urban expansion are the two main driving forces impacting PM 2.5 concentrations (Lin et al 2014).…”

“…Lin et al (2014) applied remote sensing data to examine the spatio-temporal variation of PM 2.5 concentrations and their relationship with geographic and socioeconomic factors from 2001 to 2010 in China. The results show that local economic growth and urban expansion are the two main driving forces impacting PM 2.5 concentrations (Lin et al 2014). Guan et al used the multi-resolution emission inventory for China and the inputeoutput data of the related years to discuss the socioeconomic drivers of China's primary PM 2.5 emissions.…”

Spatial-temporal characteristics of PM2.5 in China: A city-level perspective analysis

“…Currently, most researchers conduct studies on national PM 2.5 from satellite based data (Lin et al, 2014). This is undoubtedly the most efficient method of retrieving spatial heterogeneity of surface PM 2.5 concentrations.…”