Dominant variables of global air pollution-climate interaction: Geographic insight

Abstract There is a consensus that climate plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of air pollution. However, air pollution also affects climate by radiation absorption and scattering. Whether air pollution or climate dominates their mutual interaction remains unclear, thus leaving much uncertainty in efforts to clarify a causal relationship. This study aimed to identify the dominant variable of the air pollution-climate interaction using global datasets of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations, precipitation and air temperature. The results show that the global evolution of air pollution from 1998 to 2015 was characterized by the “Polluting in Polluted and Cleaning in Clean” (PIPCIC) paradigm. Air pollution is mainly negatively and positively correlated to precipitation and temperature in tropical, arid and temperate regions. However, the conditions are much more complex in cold regions. In the air pollution-precipitation interaction, the threshold values of PM2.5 concentration and precipitation are 21.07 μg/m3 and 846.10 mm for negative and positive correlations in cold regions, respectively. Precipitation dominates the interaction in wet and clean conditions, resulting in a negative correlation. In contrast, air pollution dominates in dry and polluted conditions, leading to the enhancement of precipitation and a positive correlation. In the air pollution-temperature interaction, air pollution acts as the dominant variable, whereas temperature exhibits a limited influence. The threshold value of PM2.5 concentration is 20.47 μg/m3 for negative and positive correlations in cold regions. Specifically, radiative scattering dominates interactions in seriously polluted atmospheres, tending to cool the atmosphere and leading to a negative correlation. However, absorption is the dominant variable in clear skies; absorption warms the air and causes a positive correlation. The results of this study will help to clarify the causal relationship and support pollution control under the changing global climate.

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