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Chinese Regulations Are Working—Why Is Surface Ozone Over Industrialized Areas Still High? Applying Lessons From Northeast US Air Quality Evolution
Author(s) -
Chen Xiaokang,
Jiang Zhe,
Shen Yanan,
Li Rui,
Fu Yunfei,
Liu Jane,
Han Han,
Liao Hong,
Cheng Xugeng,
Jones Dylan B. A.,
Worden Helen,
Abad Gonzalo González
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2021gl092816
Subject(s) - china , delta , yangtze river , environmental science , ozone , air quality index , climatology , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , geography , geology , archaeology , aerospace engineering , engineering
Observational data indicate increasing trends of surface ozone (O 3 ) in China, despite emission controls that have resulted in reductions of precursor emissions. Here, we explore the cause of this contradiction, through analysis of surface observations (2014–2019) in China and historical observation record in the United States (US, 1990–2019). Our observation‐based analysis indicates that the reductions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emissions led to increase of surface O 3 in North China Plain (NCP) and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) of around 8 ppb. However, NO x controls resulted in shift of O 3 chemical regimes over NCP and YRD, with turning points between NO x ‐ and volatile organic compound (VOC)‐limited regimes around 2019, while model simulations suggest transitional or NO x ‐limited regimes over the rest of China. The impacts of high fine particles (PM 2.5 ) on O 3 formation has declined because of the reduction of PM 2.5 concentrations. Stricter NO x controls can mitigate O 3 pollutions over industrialized areas in China.