Global distribution and evolvement of urbanization and PM2.5 (1998–2015). (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Dongyang; Ye, Chao; Wang, Xiaomin; Lu, Debin; Xu, Jianhua; Yang, Haiqing
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 182(2018)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: PM2.5 -- Urbanization -- Bivariate spatial association -- Environmental Kuznets Curve; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.03.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: PM2.5 concentrations increased and have been one of the major social issues along with rapid urbanization in many regions of the world in recent decades. The development of urbanization differed among regions, PM2.5 pollution also presented discrepant distribution across the world. Thus, this paper aimed to grasp the profile of global distribution of urbanization and PM2.5 and their evolutionary relationships. Based on global data for the proportion of the urban population and PM2.5 concentrations in 1998–2015, this paper investigated the spatial distribution, temporal variation, and evolutionary relationships of global urbanization and PM2.5 . The results showed PM2.5 presented an increasing trend along with urbanization during the study period, but there was a variety of evolutionary relationships in different countries and regions. Most countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and some African countries developed with the rapid increase in both urbanization and PM2.5 . Under the impact of other socioeconomic factors, such as industry and economic growth, the development of urbanization increased PM2.5 concentrations in most Asian countries and some African countries, but decreased PM2.5 concentrations in most European and American countries. The findings of this study revealed the spatial distributions of global urbanization and PM2.5 pollution and provided an interpretation on the evolution of urbanization-PM2.5 relationships, which can contribute to urbanization policies making aimed at successful PM2.5 pollution control and abatement. Highlights: We examined the evolutionary relationship of global urbanization and PM2.5 . PM2.5 generally presented an increasing trend along with urbanization. Most Asian countries were found with high risk and high increase of PM2.5 . Urbanization showed a positive correlation with PM2.5 in most Asian countries.