Classification of ozone pollution and analysis of meteorological factors in the Yangtze River Delta

Serious regional ozone (O3) pollution often plagues the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). The formation mechanism of these regional pollution events, including the meteorological and emission factors leading to these pollution events and how to affect the distribution of O3, is still need further research and exploration. In this study, we first define the standard of O3 regional pollution in the YRD, and then select 248 regional pollution cases from 2015 to 2020 according to the defined standard. For the pollution cases in pollution months (May and June), PCT (principal component analysis in T-mode) classification method is used to classify the ozone concentration distribution in YRD area. The regional distribution of the O3 concentrations in the YRD is divided into five types, and the overall type (Type 1) accounts for 15%, which is related to the control of YRD area by high-pressure center. Under the control of high pressure, the weather is sunny with the high temperature, and this weather condition is favorable for ozone generation and intercity transmission, causing extensive pollution. The double center type (Type 2) accounts for 8%. This type of YRD is controlled by the front of the high pressure (the high-pressure center is located in North China), and the weather in the middle and north is conducive to the generation and transmission of O3. Inland type (Type 3) accounts for 24%. The main body of this type of high pressure is located in Mongolia. The easterly wind in YRD area is conducive to the inland transmission of O3 precursors. The northern coastal type (Type 4) accounts for 44%. This type of YRD area is mainly controlled by the weak pressure field. The weather in the northern coastal area is sunny and the solar radiation for a long time is conducive to the formation of O3. The southern coastal type (Type 5) accounts for 10%, the solar radiation is strong in the southern region mainly under the influence of the post-offshore high pressure. This study provides new insights into the relationship between O3 pollution distribution types and atmospheric circulation in YRD area, and reveals the difference of potential meteorological impacts of different O3 pollution distribution types.