Long-term trend of haze pollution and impact of particulate matter in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Haze pollution caused by heavy particulate matter (PM) loading brings significant damage in eastern China. Long-term monitoring from 1980 to 2011 and 1-year field measurement in 2011–2012 are used for investigating visibility variation and the impact of PM pollution for the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). It was found that visual range in the YRD endured a sharp reduction from 13.2 km to 10.5 km during 1980–2000. Average mass extinction efficiency (MEE) for inhalable PM (PM10) is 2.25 m2/g in 2001–2011, and extinction coefficient due to PM10 is 207 Mm−1, accounting for 36.2% of total extinction coefficient. MEE of PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 are 4.08 m2/g and 0.58 m2/g, respectively. Extinction coefficient due to PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 is 198 Mm−1 (39.6%) and 20 Mm−1 (4.0%) in 2011–2012. Maximum daily concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 is estimated to be 63 μg/m3 (RH: 73%) and 38 μg/m3 (RH: 70%) to keep visual range above 10 km. Fine particulate matter is the key factor for haze pollution improvement in the YRD area. •Long-term visual range variation and its causes in the Yangtze River Delta are analyzed.•Quantitative contribution of particulate matter to haze pollution is estimated.•Mass extinction efficiency of PM10, PM2.5, and PM2.5–10 is estimated. The long-term variation of haze pollution in the YRD and its cause is investigated and the quantitative contribution of particulate matter to haze pollution is estimated.