Spatiotemporal variations of ambient air pollutants and meteorological influences over typical urban agglomerations in China during the COVID-19 lockdown

To investigate the air quality change during the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed spatiotemporal variations of six criteria pollutants in nine typical urban agglomerations in China using ground-based data and examined meteorological influences through correlation analysis and backward trajectory analysis under different responses. Concentrations of PM (2.5), PM10, NO2, SO2 and CO in urban agglomerations respectively decreased by 18%-45% (30%-62%), 17%-53% (22%-39%), 47%-64% (14%-41%), 9%-34% (0%-53%) and 16%-52% (23%-56%) during Lockdown (Post-lockdown) period relative to Pre-lockdown period. PM2.5 pollution events occurred during Lockdown in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebe (BTH) and Middle and South Liaoning (MSL), and daily O-3 concentration rose to grade. standard in Post-lockdown period. Distinct from the nationwide slump of NO2 during Lockdown period, a rebound (similar to 40%) in Post-lockdown period was observed in Cheng-Yu (CY), Yangtze River Middle-Reach (YRMR), Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD). With slightly higher wind speed compared with 2019, the reduction of PM2.5 (51%-62%) in Post-lockdown period is more than 2019 (15%-46%) in HC (Harbin-Changchun), MSL, BTH, CP (Central Plain) and SP (Shandong-Peninsula), suggesting lockdown measures are effective to PM2.5 alleviation. Although O-3 concentrations generally increased during the lockdown, its increment rate declined compared with 2019 under similar sunlight duration and temperature. Additionally, unlike HC, MSL and BTH, which suffered from additional ( > 30%) air masses from surrounding areas after the lockdown, the polluted air masses reaching YRD and PRD mostly originated from the long-distance transport, highlighting the importance of joint regional governance. (C) 2021 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, concentrations of major pollutants in nine urban agglomerations in China significantly decreased, with some areas experiencing PM2.5 pollution events during lockdown and an increase in ozone concentration post-lockdown. After the lockdown, there was a rebound in pollutant concentrations in some areas, highlighting the importance of joint regional governance.