Variations in characteristics and transport pathways of PM2.5 during heavy pollution episodes in 2013-2019 in Jinan, a central city in the north China Plain.

Abstract The characteristics and transport pathways of air masses vary during heavy pollution episodes (HPEs). Three categories of HPEs have been defined: HPE Ι, II, and III, corresponding to HPE durations of 1, 2, and at least 3 days, respectively. Sixty HPEs were investigated in this study. The number of HPEs decreased from 2013 to 2017 and then increased from 2017 to 2019, dominated by emission reductions and meteorological conditions. The average and maximum PM2.5 (i.e., aerodynamic diameter of