Mechanisms and Pathways for Coordinated Control of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) and ground-level ozone (O(3)) pose a significant risk to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently revised healthy thresholds for both pollutants. The formation and evolution of PM(2.5) and O(3) are however governed by complex physical and multiphase chemical processes, and therefore, it is extremely challenging to mitigate both pollutants simultaneously. Here, we review mechanisms and discuss the science-informed pathways for effective and simultaneous mitigation of PM(2.5) and O(3). RECENT FINDINGS: Global warming has led to a general increase in biogenic emissions, which can enhance the formation of O(3) and secondary organic aerosols. Reductions in anthropogenic emissions during the COVID-19 lockdown reduced PM(2.5); however, O(3) was enhanced in several polluted regions. This was attributed to more intense sunlight due to low aerosol loading and non-linear response of O(3) to NO(x). Such contrasting physical and chemical interactions hinder the formulation of a clear roadmap for clean air over such regions. SUMMARY: Atmospheric chemistry including the role of biogenic emissions, aerosol-radiation interactions, boundary layer, and regional-scale transport are the key aspects that need to be carefully considered in the formulation of mitigation pathways. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the chemical effects of the emission reductions, changes in photolytic rates and boundary layer due to perturbation of solar radiation, and the effect of meteorological/seasonal changes are needed on a regional basis. Statistical emulators and machine learning approaches can aid the cumbersome process of multi-sector multi-species source attribution.