Correlation between main atmospheric pollutants and meteorological factors in Benxi city

  Objective  To investigate the correlation between major air pollutants and meteorological factors in Benxi city in 2014 – 2015, and to provide evidences for prevention and control of air pollution.

  Methods  We collected data on daily concentration of the sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀), and particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5) at 6 monitoring sites (Xihu, Caitun, Dongming, Dayu, Xinlitun, and Weining) during the period from 2014 through 2015. We also extracted meteorological monitoring data of the same period from Benxi Municipal Meteorological Bureau. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were used to assess the influences of meteorological factors on concentrations of air pollutants.

  Results  The daily SO₂ concentration was negatively correlated to atmospheric temperature and relative humidity (r_tem = – 0.793, r_RH = – 0.288; both P < 0.01); the concentration of PM₁₀ was negatively associated with atmospheric temperature, humidity, and wind speed (r_tem = – 0.338, r_win = – 0.176, r_RH = – 0.138; P < 0.01 for all); the concentration of NO₂ and PM_2.5 were negatively correlated with atmospheric temperature and wind speed (r NO₂-t_em = – 0.507, r NO₂-w_in = – 0.313; r PM_2.5-t_em = – 0.379, r PM_2.5-w_in = – 0.264; P < 0.01 for all).

  Conclusion  Meteorological factors are closely related to concentrations of atmospheric pollutants in a manner which could be simulated with regression analysis in Benxi city of Liaoning province.