Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016)
The threat of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is increasing globally. Tackling this issue requires an accurate understanding of its trends and drivers. In this study, global risk regions of PM2.5 concentrations during 1998–2016 were spatiotemporally derived. Time series analysis was conducted in the...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2020-11-01
|
| Series: | Environment International |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020319668 |
| _version_ | 1819063568856776704 |
|---|---|
| author | Chul-Hee Lim Jieun Ryu Yuyoung Choi Seong Woo Jeon Woo-Kyun Lee |
| author_facet | Chul-Hee Lim Jieun Ryu Yuyoung Choi Seong Woo Jeon Woo-Kyun Lee |
| author_sort | Chul-Hee Lim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The threat of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is increasing globally. Tackling this issue requires an accurate understanding of its trends and drivers. In this study, global risk regions of PM2.5 concentrations during 1998–2016 were spatiotemporally derived. Time series analysis was conducted in the spatial relationship between PM2.5 and three socio-environmental drivers: population, urban ratio, and vegetation greenness that can cause changes in the concentration of PM2.5. “High Risk” areas were widely distributed in India and China. In India and sub-Saharan Africa, the increased overall population was strongly correlated with PM2.5 concentrations. Urban ratio increased in both developed and developing countries. A “decoupling” phenomenon occurred in developed countries, where urban expansion continued while PM2.5 concentrations decreased. Vegetation greenness and PM2.5 were strongly correlated in High Risk zones. Although urban expansion and population growth generally reduce vegetation greenness, developed countries reduced PM2.5 while maintaining greenness, whereas developing countries increased PM2.5 with decreasing greenness significantly in High Risk regions. Ultimately, economic and national growth should occur without increasing PM2.5 concentrations. Recent cases from Europe and the eastern United States demonstrate that this is possible, depending on the development pathway. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T15:16:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a412beab1dba46019d8f9b07844d0a92 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0160-4120 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T15:16:45Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environment International |
| spelling | doaj.art-a412beab1dba46019d8f9b07844d0a922022-12-21T18:59:09ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202020-11-01144106011Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016)Chul-Hee Lim0Jieun Ryu1Yuyoung Choi2Seong Woo Jeon3Woo-Kyun Lee4Institute of Life Science and Natural Resources, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Incheon Climate & Environment Research Center, The Incheon Institute, Incheon 22004, Republic of Korea; OJeong Resillience Institute, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of KoreaIncheon Climate & Environment Research Center, The Incheon Institute, Incheon 22004, Republic of Korea; OJeong Resillience Institute, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of KoreaOJeong Resillience Institute, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author at: East Building 319, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.The threat of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is increasing globally. Tackling this issue requires an accurate understanding of its trends and drivers. In this study, global risk regions of PM2.5 concentrations during 1998–2016 were spatiotemporally derived. Time series analysis was conducted in the spatial relationship between PM2.5 and three socio-environmental drivers: population, urban ratio, and vegetation greenness that can cause changes in the concentration of PM2.5. “High Risk” areas were widely distributed in India and China. In India and sub-Saharan Africa, the increased overall population was strongly correlated with PM2.5 concentrations. Urban ratio increased in both developed and developing countries. A “decoupling” phenomenon occurred in developed countries, where urban expansion continued while PM2.5 concentrations decreased. Vegetation greenness and PM2.5 were strongly correlated in High Risk zones. Although urban expansion and population growth generally reduce vegetation greenness, developed countries reduced PM2.5 while maintaining greenness, whereas developing countries increased PM2.5 with decreasing greenness significantly in High Risk regions. Ultimately, economic and national growth should occur without increasing PM2.5 concentrations. Recent cases from Europe and the eastern United States demonstrate that this is possible, depending on the development pathway.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020319668PM2.5Global trend analysisRisk assessmentSocio-environmental driversGlobal correlation analysis |
| spellingShingle | Chul-Hee Lim Jieun Ryu Yuyoung Choi Seong Woo Jeon Woo-Kyun Lee Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016) Environment International PM2.5 Global trend analysis Risk assessment Socio-environmental drivers Global correlation analysis |
| title | Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016) |
| title_full | Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016) |
| title_fullStr | Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016) |
| title_short | Understanding global PM2.5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades (1998–2016) |
| title_sort | understanding global pm2 5 concentrations and their drivers in recent decades 1998 2016 |
| topic | PM2.5 Global trend analysis Risk assessment Socio-environmental drivers Global correlation analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020319668 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chulheelim understandingglobalpm25concentrationsandtheirdriversinrecentdecades19982016 AT jieunryu understandingglobalpm25concentrationsandtheirdriversinrecentdecades19982016 AT yuyoungchoi understandingglobalpm25concentrationsandtheirdriversinrecentdecades19982016 AT seongwoojeon understandingglobalpm25concentrationsandtheirdriversinrecentdecades19982016 AT wookyunlee understandingglobalpm25concentrationsandtheirdriversinrecentdecades19982016 |