Impacts of meteorological and precursor emission factors on PM2.5 and O3 from 2019 to 2022: Insights from multiple perspectives

Abstract

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region is one of the areas in China most severely affected by fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ozone (O₃) pollution. Understanding the influence of meteorological conditions and precursor emissions on PM_2.5 and O₃ in the BTH region is crucial for effective air pollution control. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of PM_2.5 and O₃ in the BTH region from 2019 to 2022. We employed Geodetector, Generalized Additive Model (GAM), and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to investigate the impacts of meteorological conditions and precursor emissions on PM_2.5 and O₃ from multiple perspectives: spatiotemporal differentiation, nonlinear responses, and causal relationships. This comprehensive exploration has enhanced our understanding of the interactions between these factors and revealed some intriguing phenomena.

Environmental implication

PM_2.5 and ozone are major atmospheric pollutants that pose significant threats to human health and the ecological environment, primarily influenced by precursor emissions and meteorological conditions. Clarifying the impact of these factors on PM_2.5 and ozone is crucial for providing scientific insights into air pollution control. However, most current studies have not comprehensively explored these relationships, lacking multidimensional perspectives. Therefore, we propose a multi-perspective analytical approach that thoroughly examines these relationships from three key perspectives: spatiotemporal variability, nonlinear responses, and causal relationships. This approach offers a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the interactions between these factors.