A multi-factor designation method for mapping particulate-pollution control zones in China

A multi-factor designation method for mapping particulate-pollution control zones was brought out through synthetically considering PM10 pollution status, PM10 anthropogenic emissions, fine particle pollution, long-range transport and economic situation. According to this method, China was divided into four different particulate-pollution control regions: PM Suspended Control Region, PM10 Pollution Control Region, PM2.5 Pollution Control Region and PM10 and PM2.5 Common Control Region, which accounted for 69.55%, 9.66%, 4.67% and 16.13% of China's territory, respectively. The PM10 and PM2.5 Common Control Region was mainly distributed in Bohai Region, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, eastern of Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality, calling for immediate control of both PM10 and PM2.5. Cost-effective control effects can be achieved through concentrating efforts on PM10 and PM2.5 Common Control Region to address 60.32% of national PM10 anthropogenic emissions. Air quality in districts belonging to PM2.5 Pollution Control Region suggested that Chinese national ambient air quality standard for PM10 was not strict enough. The result derived from application to China proved that this approach was feasible for mapping pollution control regions for a country with vast territory, complicated pollution characteristics and limited available monitoring data.

Research highlights
► A multi-factor designation method for mapping pollution control zones is established.
► Area designation for particulates is carried out in China on a national scale.
► Air quality, emission, AOD, meteorology, and economy are considered for mapping.
► China is divided into four different particulate-pollution control regions.