Spatiotemporal distribution and driving factors of atmospheric pollutants in the U-Chang-Shi urban agglomeration, Northwestern China.

ABSTRACT: As a critical core node of the "Belt and Road" Initiative and a representative arid-zone urban agglomeration in Northwest China, the Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi (U-Chang-Shi) region faces severe air pollution, posing significant threats to ecological security and public health. Leveraging the 2000-2022 China High-Resolution Air Quality (CHAP) dataset and multi-source meteorological data, this study systematically investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and ozone (O₃) alongside their driving mechanisms. Results reveal distinct seasonal patterns: PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations peak in winter due to coal combustion emissions and unfavorable static meteorological conditions, while dropping below 30 µg/m³ in summer as

SUBMITTER: Chen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12767493 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature