Spatial and temporal variations of air quality and six air pollutants in China during 2015–2017

Air pollution has aroused significant public concern in China, therefore, long-term air-quality data with high temporal and spatial resolution are needed to understand the variations of air pollution in China. However, the yearly variations with high spatial resolution of air quality and six air pollutants are still unknown for China until now. Therefore, in this paper, we analyze the spatial and temporal variations of air quality and six air pollutants in 366 cities across mainland China during 2015–2017 for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The results indicate that the annual mean mass concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO(2), and CO all decreased year by year during 2015–2017. However, the annual mean NO(2) concentrations were almost unchanged, while the annual mean O(3) concentrations increased year by year. Anthropogenic factors were mainly responsible for the variations of air quality. Further analysis suggested that PM2.5 and PM10 were the main factors influencing air quality, while NO(2) played an important role in the formation of PM2.5 and O(3). These findings can provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of future air-pollution control policy in China.