1
|
Canals-Angerri A, Lv W, Zhuang X, Shangguan Y, Wang Y, Kong S, Hopke PK, Amato F, Alastuey A, van Drooge BL, Querol X. Evaluation of air quality changes in a Chinese megacity over a 15-year period (2006-2021) using PM 2.5 receptor modelling. Environ Pollut 2024; 340:122803. [PMID: 37890692 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Air quality impairment has a massive impact on human health, with atmospheric particulate matter (PM) playing a major role. The People's Republic of China experienced a trend of increasing PM2.5 concentrations from 2000 to 2013. However, after the application of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan and other related control measures, sharp decreases in air pollutant concentrations were particularly evident in the city of Wuhan (central China). This study analysed major changes in PM2.5 concentrations, composition and source apportionment (using receptor modelling) based on Wuhan's PM2.5 chemical speciation datasets from 2006 to 2007, 2019-2021 and contemporaneous gaseous pollutant values. Average SO2 concentrations decreased by 88%, from the first to the second period, mostly due to measures that reduced coal combustion. However, NO2 only declined by 25%, with policy measures likely being undermined by an increased number of vehicles. PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 65%, with the PM constituents each being affected differently. Coal combustion-related element concentrations, OC, SO42-, NH4+, EC, Cl-, Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Co and NO3- decreased by 22-90%. Secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) was initially dominated by (NH4)2SO4 (73%) in 2006, but later dominated by NH4NO3 (52%) in 2021. Receptor modelling identified major sources contributing to PM2.5: Mineral, road and desert dust (MRDD), Secondary sulphate (SECS), Secondary nitrate (SECN), Tungsten industry (W), Toxic Elements of Coal (TEC), Iron and Steel (IRONS), Coal Combustion (CC), Residential Heating (RH), Refinery (REF) and Traffic (TRF). In relative proportions, TEC (-83%), SECS (-64%) and SECN (-48%) reduced their contributions to PM2.5 whilst MRDD increased (+62.5%). Thus, the results indicate not only a drastic abatement of PM pollution in Wuhan but also a change in the sources of pollution, which requires further actions to reduce PM2.5 concentrations to health protective values. Secondary PM and fugitive emissions are key components to abate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Canals-Angerri
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - W Lv
- Wuhan Regional Climate Centre, Wuhan, PR China
| | - X Zhuang
- School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Y Shangguan
- School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Y Wang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, PR China
| | - S Kong
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, PR China
| | - P K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - F Amato
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Alastuey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - B L van Drooge
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|