Effects of Early Pollution Control Measures on Secondary Species of PM2.5 in Jiaozuo, China

Abstract

Various measures for reducing air pollution have been promulgated since 2013 in China. To investigate the synergistic results of emission control and meteorological environment, PM2.5 samples collected from October 2013 to July 2016 and November 2018 to October 2019 in Jiaozuo city were analyzed for their compositions, secondary species (Ss) variations, and factors changing for Ss formation. The results showed that the concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) generally decreased over the same seasonal period during these years. In addition, the concentrations and proportions of each Ss increased with the increase in the PM2.5 level in these years, implying that although PM2.5 levels have been reduced by various control policies, Ss formation would remain the major contributor to PM elevations. The enhanced effects of gas-phase reactions on intensification of sulfate, SOA, and PM were observed in 2018–2019, which was consistent with the elevation of nitrate and SOA at PM levels of >150 μg/m3. Only sulfate in all PM levels sharply decreased after 2015, showing the fine effect of coal-related pollution control and the importance of collaborative control of NOx, volatile organic compounds, and organic aerosol emissions with SO2 emissions in the future.