Study on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Particulate Matter Pollution in Coal Production Cities in China

Abstract

In recent years, with the continuous advancement of China’s urbanization process, regional atmospheric environmental problems have become increasingly prominent. We selected 12 cities as study areas to explore the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of atmospheric particulate matter in the region, and analyzed the impact of socioeconomic and natural factors on local particulate matter levels. In terms of time variation, the particulate matter in the study area showed an annual change trend of first rising and then falling, a monthly change trend of “U” shape, and an hourly change trend of double-peak and double-valley distribution. Spatially, the concentration of particulate matter in the central and southern cities of the study area is higher, while the pollution in the western region is lighter. In terms of social economy, PM2.5 showed an “inverted U-shaped” quadratic polynomial relationship with Second Industry and Population Density, while it showed a U-shaped relationship with Generating Capacity and Coal Output. The results of correlation analysis showed that PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly positively correlated with NO2, SO2, CO and air pressure, and significantly negatively correlated with O3 and air temperature. Wind speed was significantly negatively correlated with PM2.5, and significantly positively correlated with PM10. In terms of pollution transmission, the southwest area of Taiyuan City is a high potential pollution source area of fine particles, and the long-distance transport of PM2.5 in Xinjiang from the northwest also has a certain contribution to the pollution of fine particles. This study is helpful for us to understand the characteristics and influencing factors of particulate matter pollution in coal production cities.