Spatial-temporal variability of PM2.5 air quality in Beijing, China during 2013–2018

This study investigates spatial-temporal variability and trends of ambient PM2.5 in Beijing, China, using data collected from eight urban and four suburban stations. During 2013–2018, the city-wide annual PM2.5 concentrations decreased significantly by 40% (84 μg/m3 in 2013 vs. 50 μg/m3 in 2018). The decreasing PM2.5 trend is more pronounced in winter and during the heating season (November–March), in urban areas, and at the median and upper percentiles of PM2.5 concentrations. The 95th percentile PM2.5 concentrations had decreased by 20 μg/m3/yr in the heating season and 16 μg/m3/yr in the non-heating season. During the six-year study period, there was a significant increase in excellent air quality days (PM2.5 concentration 150 μg/m3). PM2.5 concentrations were strongly correlated across the 12 stations. Urban areas in south Beijing experienced higher PM2.5 levels than suburban sites at every hour-of-day, day-of-week, and month-of-year. PM2.5 levels were higher during winter and the heating season, when PM2.5 emission was high due to space heating and mixing layer heights were low. PM2.5 was higher at weekends than during weekdays, when 20% of private passenger vehicles are prohibited, and higher at night than during the day, when heavy duty delivery vehicles are not permitted. These temporal and spatial trends suggest that Beijing's PM2.5 is strongly impacted by local emissions. Our results indicate, control strategies implemented were successful in Beijing's air quality improvement, but further reduction of PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing could be challenging due to significant contribution from its neighboring cities, calling for comprehensive and collaborative efforts in regional/national scale. •During 2013–2018, Beijing annual PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 40%.•The 95th percentile hourly PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 20 μg/m3/yr.•Decreasing PM2.5 trend more pronounced in winter and heating season.•PM2.5 higher at urban areas, during heating season, at weekends, and at night.•Control strategies implemented were successful in Beijing's air quality improvement.