Air Pollution Zone Migrates South Driven by East Asian Winter Monsoon and Climate Change

A variety of climatological indices have been established to illustrate the impact of climate change on air pollution in China, but major facts for causing variations of air pollution attributed to climate change are still unclear. Here, using in-situ PM2.5 (particles with the aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 mu m) measurement, atmospheric reanalysis data and a chemical transport model, we show that meridional distribution of PM2.5 loadings is strongly modulated by the intensity of East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). The EAWM drives the heavily polluted zone in eastern China to migrate southward, i.e., under stronger EAWM, more southward migration of air pollution occurs. We expect that the migration will likely re-distribute carbon sources- and sinks-related ecosystem, posing a new challenge for the Chinese government, who needs to implement region-different emission reduction plans in the future, to mitigate air pollution and to go carbon neutral.

Automated summary

Research shows that the intensity of the East Asian winter monsoon strongly affects the southward migration of air pollution in China, potentially leading to a redistribution of carbon sources and sinks. This presents a new challenge for the Chinese government to implement emissions reduction plans and achieve carbon neutrality in the future.