Formation, features and controlling strategies of severe haze-fog pollutions in China

With rapid industrialization and urbanization, China is facing a great challenge with regard to severe fog-haze pollutions, which were characterized by high fine particulate concentration level and visibility impairment. The control strategies for atmosphere pollutions in China were not only cutting-edge topics of atmospheric research, but also an urgent issue to be addressed by the Chinese government and the public. Focused on the core scientific issues of the haze and fog pollution, this paper reviews the main studies conducted in China, especially after 2010, including formation mechanisms, evolution features, and factors contributing to the fog-haze pollutions. Present policy and control strategies were synoptically discussed. The major challenges ahead will be stated and recommendations for future research directions are proposed at the end of this Review.