Ozone pollution in China: A review of concentrations, meteorological influences, chemical precursors, and effects

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 575; pp. 1582 - 1596
• Main Authors: Wang, Tao, Xue, Likun, Brimblecombe, Peter, Lam, Yun Fat, Li, Li, Zhang, Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-01-2017
• Subjects: A review; Chemical precursors; Effect on crops and human health; Meteorological influences; Ozone pollution in China; China, People's Rep., Zhu R; North America; ANE, Europe; China, People's Rep., Changjiang R; Effect on crops and human health; Chemical precursors; Meteorological influences; A review; Ozone pollution in China
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.081

High concentrations of ozone in urban and industrial regions worldwide have long been a major air quality issue. With the rapid increase in fossil fuel consumption in China over the past three decades, the emission of chemical precursors to ozone—nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds—has increased sharply, surpassing that of North America and Europe and raising concerns about worsening ozone pollution in China. Historically, research and control have prioritized acid rain, particulate matter, and more recently fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In contrast, less is known about ozone pollution, partly due to a lack of monitoring of atmospheric ozone and its precursors until recently. This review summarizes the main findings from published papers on the characteristics and sources and processes of ozone and ozone precursors in the boundary layer of urban and rural areas of China, including concentration levels, seasonal variation, meteorology conducive to photochemistry and pollution transport, key production and loss processes, ozone dependence on nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, and the effects of ozone on crops and human health. Ozone concentrations exceeding the ambient air quality standard by 100–200% have been observed in China's major urban centers such as Jing-Jin-Ji, the Yangtze River delta, and the Pearl River delta, and limited studies suggest harmful effect of ozone on human health and agricultural corps; key chemical precursors and meteorological conditions conductive to ozone pollution have been investigated, and inter-city/region transport of ozone is significant. Several recommendations are given for future research and policy development on ground-level ozone.
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•Studies of atmospheric ozone in urban and rural areas of China are reviewed.•Topics include abundance, chemical and meteorological processes, and effects.•Available data reveals serious and worsening ozone pollution in major areas of China.•Data from national network are needed to get a full picture of ozone pollution and to evaluate its impact.•Strategies for control ozone precursors need to be developed.