Interannual evolution of the chemical composition,sources and processes of PM_(2.5)in Chengdu,China:Insights from observations in four winters

The air quality in China has improved significantly in the last decade and,correspondingly,the characteristics of PM_(2.5)have also changed.We studied the interannual variation of PM_(2.5)in Chengdu,one of the most heavily polluted megacities in southwest China,during the most polluted season(winter).Our results show that the mass concentrations of PM_(2.5)decreased significantly year-by-year,from 195.8±91.0μg/m~3in winter 2016 to 96.1±39.3μg/m^(3)in winter 2020.The mass concentrations of organic matter(OM),SO_()4^(2-),NH_(4)^(+)and NO_(3)^(-)decreased by 49.6%,57.1%,49.7% and 28.7%,respectively.The differential reduction in the concentrations of chemical components increased the contributions from secondary organic carbon and NO_(3)^(-)and there was a larger contribution from mobile sources.The contribution of OM and NO_(3)^(-)not only increased with increasing levels of pollution,but also increased year-by-year at the same level of pollution.Four sources of PM_(2.5)were identified:combustion sources,vehicular emissions,dust and secondary aerosols.Secondary aerosols made the highest contribution and increased year-by-year,from 40.6%in winter 2016 to 46.3% in winter 2020.By contrast,the contribution from combustion sources decreased from 14.4% to 8.7%.Our results show the effectiveness of earlier pollution reduction policies and emphasizes that priority should be given to key pollutants(e.g.,OM and NO_(3)^(-))and sources(secondary aerosols and vehicular emissions)in future policies for the reduction of pollution in Chengdu during the winter months.