The impact of anthropogenic emissions and meteorological conditions on the spatial variation of ambient SO2 concentrations: A panel study of 113 Chinese cities

China has received increased international criticism in recent years in relation to its air pollution levels, both in terms of the transmission of pollutants across international borders and the attendant adverse health effects being witnessed. Whilst existing research has examined the factors influencing ambient air pollutant concentrations, previous studies have failed to adequately explore the determinants of such concentrations from either a source or diffusion perspective. This study addressed both source (specifically, anthropogenic emissions) and diffusion (namely, meteorological conditions) indicators, in order to detect their respective impacts on the spatial variations seen in the distribution of air pollution. Spatial panel data for 113 major cities in China Was processed using a range of global regression models the ordinary least square model, the spatial lag model, and the spatial error model as well as a local, geographic weighted regression (GWR) model. Results from the study suggest that in 2014, average SO2 concentrations exceeded China's first-level target. The most polluted cities were found to be predominantly located in northern China, while less polluted cities were located in southern China. Global regression results indicated that precipitation exerts a significant effect on SO2 reduction (p < 0.001) and that a regional increase of 1 mm in precipitation can reduce SO2 concentrations by 0.026 mu g/m(3). Both emission and temperature factors were found to aggravate SO2 concentrations, although ho such significant correlation was found in relation to wind speed. GWR results suggest that the association between SO2 and its factors varied over space. Increased emissions were found to be able to produce more pollution in the northwest than in other parts of the country. Higher wind speeds and temperatures in northwestern areas were shown to reinforce SO2 pollution, while in southern regions, they had the opposite effect. Further, increased precipitation was found to exert a greater inhibitory effect on SO2 pollution in the country's northeast than that in other areas. Our findings could provide a detailed reference for formulating regionally specific emission reduction policies in China. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.