Source-receptor relationships for PM2.5 during typical pollution episodes in the Pearl River Delta city cluster, China

Abstract Located in the Southern China monsoon region, pollution days in Pearl River Delta (PRD) were classified into “Western type”, “Central type” or “Eastern type”, with a relative percentage of 67%, 24% and 9%, respectively. Using this classification system, three typical pollution events were selected for numerical simulations using the WRF-Chem model. The source sensitivity method for anthropogenic emissions of PM 2.5 and its precursors was applied to identify the source-receptor relationships for PM 2.5 among 9 cities in PRD. For “Western type” case, the PRD region was under control of a high-pressure system with easterly prevailing winds. The PM 2.5 concentrations in the western PRD region were higher than those in the eastern region, with emissions from cities in the eastern PRD region having higher contributions. Within the PRD's urban cluster, PM 2.5 in Huizhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen was mainly derived from local emissions, whereas the PM 2.5 in the other cities was primarily derived from external transport. For “Eastern type” case, the PRD was influenced by Typhoon Soulik with westerly prevailing winds. Emissions from cities in the western PRD region had the highest impacts on the overall PM 2.5 concentration. PM 2.5 in Jiangmen and Foshan was primarily derived from local emissions. Regarding “Central type” case, the PRD region was under control of a uniform pressure field with low wind speed. PM 2.5 concentrations of each city were primarily caused by local emissions. Overall, wind flows played a significant role in the transport and spatial distribution of PM 2.5 across the PRD region. Ideally, local governments would be wise to establish joint prevention and control measures to reduce regional atmospheric pollution, especially for “Western type” pollution.