The relationship between the intensified heat waves and deteriorated summertime ozone pollution in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, China, during 2013–2017

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 314; p. 120256
• Main Authors: Wang, Ruonan, Bei, Naifang, Hu, Bo, Wu, Jiarui, Liu, Suixin, Li, Xia, Jiang, Qian, Tie, Xuexi, Li, Guohui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Emission changes; Heat wave; Ozone pollution; Weather shift; Weather shift; Emission changes; Heat wave; Ozone pollution
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120256

Summertime ozone (O3) pollution has frequently occurred in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, China, since 2013, resulting in detrimental impacts on human health and ecosystems. The contribution of weather shifts to O3 concentration variability owing to climate change remains elusive. By combining regional air chemistry model simulations with near-surface observations, we found that anthropogenic emission changes contributed to approximately 23% of the increase in maximum daily 8-h average O3 concentrations in the BTH region in June–July–August (JJA) 2017 (compared with that in 2013). With respect to the weather shift influence, the frequencies, durations, and magnitudes of O3 exceedance were consistent with those of the heat wave events in the BTH region during JJA in 2013–2017. Intensified heat waves are a significant driver for worsening O3 pollution. In particular, the prolonged duration of heat waves creates consecutive adverse weather conditions that cause O3 accumulation and severe O3 pollution. Our results suggest that the variability in extreme summer heat is closely related to the occurrence of high O3 concentrations, which is a significant driver of deteriorating O3 pollution. [Display omitted] •Anthropogenic emission changes enhanced MAD8 [O3] by 23% from 2013 to 2017.•Increasing O3 exceedances are related to the intensified heat waves.•Persistent O3 pollution events increased during JJA 2017 compared with those in 2013.•Prolonged durations of heat wave events significantly contribute to O3 increases.