Temporal variations of ambient air pollutants and meteorological influences on their concentrations in Tehran during 2012–2017

We investigated temporal variations of ambient air pollutants and the influences of meteorological parameters on their concentrations using a robust method; convergent cross mapping; in Tehran (2012–2017). Tehran citizens were consistently exposed to annual PM(2.5), PM(10) and NO(2) approximately 3.0–4.5, 3.5–4.5 and 1.5–2.5 times higher than the World Health Organization air quality guideline levels during the period. Except for O(3), all air pollutants demonstrated the lowest and highest concentrations in summertime and wintertime, respectively. The highest O(3) concentrations were found on weekend (weekend effect), whereas other ambient air pollutants had statistically significant (P < 0.05) daily variations in which higher concentrations were observed on weekdays compared to weekend (holiday effect). Hourly O(3) concentration reached its peak at 3.00 p.m., though other air pollutants displayed two peaks; morning and late night. Approximately 45% to 65% of AQI values were in the subcategory of unhealthy for sensitive groups and PM(2.5) was the responsible air pollutant in Tehran. Amongst meteorological factors, temperature was the key influencing factor for PM(2.5) and PM(10) concentrations, while nebulosity and solar radiation exerted major influences on ambient SO(2) and O(3) concentrations. Additionally, there is a moderate coupling between wind speed and NO(2) and CO concentrations.