The characteristics of air pollutants during different seasons in the urban area of Lanzhou, Northwest China

Based on data from ground-based air quality stations, space–time variations of six principal atmospheric pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gas pollutants (SO2, NO2, СО, and O3), obtained from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017 in the city of Lanzhou, have been studied. Average total concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were 53.2 ± 26.91 and 124.54 ± 82.33 µg/m3, respectively; however, the results showed that in 75.53% and 84.85% days, concentrations of these pollutants exceeded Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Standard and in 100% days exceeded World Health Organization guidelines standards. Daily mean values of aerosol optical depth and Ångström exponent based on data, received by satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, show a broad range of values for aerosol optical depth (from 0.018 to 1.954) and Ångström exponent (from 0.003 to 1.8). Results of principal components analysis revealed three factor loadings. Thus, Factor 1 has the relevant loadings for PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, and NO2 (36%) and closely associated with transport emissions and industrial sources, which contribute to air pollution in Lanzhou. Factor 2 was heavily loaded with temperature and visibility (16.94%). Factor 3 consisted of relative humidity (14.11%). Cluster analysis revealed four subgroups: cluster 1 (PM2.5, NO2, SO2), cluster 2 (CO), cluster 3 (PM10) and cluster 4 (relative humidity, visibility, temperature, O3, wind speed), which were compliant with results, obtained from principal components analysis. Positive correlation was found among all pollutants, other than O3. According to processed backward trajectories obtained by Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model, it was found that movement of air masses occur from north, northwest, and west directions—the location of principal natural sources of aerosols.