Foreseeable Co-occurring O 3 and PM 2.5 Pollution in Eastern China Driven by Climate Teleconnections

Xiaorui Zhang; Meng Gao; Gregory R. Carmichael

doi:10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00164

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Foreseeable Co-occurring O 3 and PM 2.5 Pollution in Eastern China Driven by Climate Teleconnections

Journal article

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Foreseeable Co-occurring O 3 and PM 2.5 Pollution in Eastern China Driven by Climate Teleconnections

Xiaorui Zhang, Meng Gao and Gregory R. Carmichael

ACS Environmental Au, Vol.5(6), pp.625-635

11/19/2025

DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00164

PMCID: PMC12635941

PMID: 41277999

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Abstract

The co-occurrence of surface ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution (COP) has been frequently observed in China, particularly in the North China Plain (NCP) during warmer months, posing significant threats to human health and ecosystems. However, the impact of climate factors on COP remains inadequately understood. This study identifies three major modes of interannual variability in the COP frequency in Eastern China, revealing a consistent spatial pattern, a North–south dipole, and heightened sensitivity in coastal regions. These modes are linked to preseasonal cooling sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Western Pacific Ocean, Arctic sea ice (SI) loss near the Barents Sea, and North Atlantic tripole SST anomalies associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation, respectively. Both observations and model simulations confirm that Western Pacific cooling suppresses the Western Pacific subtropical high, promoting pollutant accumulation in the NCP; Barents Sea SI loss triggers atmospheric wave trains, facilitating water vapor transport to southern China and air pollutants transport to Northern China, resulting in a North–south dipole in COP frequency; and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)-driven SST anomalies generate westerly wind anomalies, driving pollutants to coastal regions of Eastern China. A model that incorporates preseasonal SST and SI signals is demonstrated to be capable of predicting COP frequency three months in advance. Our results could allow the Chinese government to improve plans for pollution control and safeguard the health of both humans and ecosystems.

surface ozone pollution

particulate matter pollution

air pollution complex

climate teleconnections

seasonal prediction

Details

Title: Subtitle: Foreseeable Co-occurring O 3 and PM 2.5 Pollution in Eastern China Driven by Climate Teleconnections
Creators: Xiaorui Zhang - Hong Kong Baptist University
Meng Gao - Hong Kong Baptist University
Gregory R. Carmichael - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: ACS Environmental Au, Vol.5(6), pp.625-635
DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00164
PMID: 41277999
PMCID: PMC12635941
NLM abbreviation: ACS Environ Au
ISSN: 2694-2518
eISSN: 2694-2518
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Grant note: National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Center for Atmospheric Research
We thank the National Center for Atmospheric Research for offering the CESM2 model for this study.
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 10/07/2025
Date published: 11/19/2025
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Nursing; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Record Identifier: 9985014871702771

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