Spatial and seasonal variations of surface ozone formation regime and
source attributions in the Guanzhong Basin, China
Abstract
Rapid increasing industries and city expansions have caused severe air
pollution in the Guanzhong Basin (GZB), China in recent decades.
Observations reveal that, although implementation of strict mitigation
measures since 2014 has considerably reduced particulate matter (PM)
pollution, the ozone (O) pollution during the warm season has
continuously deteriorated in the basin. Simulations in May and August
2018 have been conducted using the WRF-Chem model to examine spatial and
seasonal variations of the O formation regimes as well as source
attributions in the GZB. The model generally performs well in simulating
meteorological parameters, O, NO, and fine PM against measurements. The
identified O formation regimes in cities of the GZB are all
VOCs-sensitive in May and become more NO-sensitive in August.
Sensitivity studies have shown that the power plants source generally
suppresses the Oformation considerably in May and enhances it slightly
in August due to its high NO and low VOCs emissions. The residential,
transportation and industry sources increase the O concentration in May
and August. Moreover, the transportation and industry sources play an
increasingly important role in August but opposite for the residential
source. The variation of O formation regimes and source attributions
from May to August is caused by intensification of solar radiation,
which not only promotes photochemical processes, also increases
temperature and further enhances biogenic emissions and vertical
exchange in the planetary boundary layer. The present study can provide
guidelines to devise the effective O abatement strategies suitable for
local situations.