Temporal and spatial trends in particulate matter and the responses to meteorological conditions and environmental management in Xi’an, China

Abstract

Particulate matter contributes much to the haze pollution in China. Meteorological conditions and environmental management significantly influenced the accumulation, deposition, transportation, diffusion, and emission intensity of particulate matter. In this study, temporal and spatial variations of PM10 and PM2.5—and the responses to meteorological factors and environmental regulation intensity—were explored in Xi’an, China. The concentrations of PM10 were higher than those of PM2.5, especially in spring and winter. The mean annual concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 markedly decreased from 2013 to 2017, but the decreasing trend has plateaued since 2015. The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 exhibited seasonal differences, with winter being the highest and summer the lowest. Air quality monitoring stations did not reveal significant spatial variability in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were significantly influenced by precipitation, relative humidity, and atmospheric temperature. The impact of wind speed was prominent in autumn and winter, while in spring and summer the impact of wind direction was obvious. Additionally, the emission intensity of SO2, smoke and dust could be effectively decreased with the increasing environmental regulation intensity, but not the concentrations of particulate matter. This study could provide a scientific framework for atmospheric pollution management.