Arid Zone Research ›› 2022, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (4): 1056-1065.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2022.04.07

• Weather and Applied Climate • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Optimal time period for PM2.5 control based on decision tree model: A case study of Guanzhong, China

JIA Ce1(),CHEN Zhen2,3,HAN Mei4()   

  1. 1. School of Environment & Nature Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
    2. Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    3. School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    4. Shaanxi Provincial Investigation and Ecological Assessment Center, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
  • Received:2022-01-18 Revised:2022-04-23 Online:2022-07-15 Published:2022-09-26
  • Contact: Mei HAN E-mail:adam-jia@qq.com;158697694@qq.com

Abstract:

A simple spatiotemporal identification method for PM2.5 pollution control based on a machine learning model is proposed. A spatiotemporal clustering algorithm was used to cluster PM2.5 in the winter prevention period, and different PM2.5 polluted areas were identified. Furthermore, a decision tree model was constructed using the meteorological data of different areas to identify the most unfavorable influences on PM2.5 concentration in different areas. The changes in PM2.5 under the most unfavorable meteorological conditions were analyzed, and the optimal time period for PM2.5 pollution control in the different study areas was determined. Using the Guanzhong area as an example, the correlation analysis of the spatial clustering of mean daily PM2.5 in winter showed that the Guanzhong area is mainly divided into a low-altitude plain area (the Guanzhong Plain) and a relatively high mountain range. The classification tree model was then constructed, using the meteorological data of the plain and mountain areas. The analysis showed that the mountain elevations have a higher PM2.5 concentrations under Ⅰ-10 (1.57 h ≤ sunshine hours < 7.88 h; maximum wind speed < 3.72 m·s-1) and Ⅰ-11 (sunshine hours < 1.57 h; maximum wind speed < 3.72 m·s-1) meteorological conditions; low-altitude areas have a higher PM2.5 concentrations under Ⅱ-10 (small-scale evaporation ≥ 0.96 mm; average relative humidity ≥ 45.38%; sunshine hours < 8.55 h; average wind speed ≥ 2.43 m·s-1) and Ⅱ-11 (small evaporation < 0.96 mm) meteorological conditions. Lastly, the regression analysis results showed that in the mountain elevations area in the Ⅰ-10, Ⅰ-11 category and the plain altitude area under the most unfavorable meteorological conditions (Ⅱ-10 and Ⅱ-11 category), the PM2.5 concentration will continue to increase for 4.76 days on average, before reaching a maximum concentration.

Key words: decision tree model, PM2.5, meteorological classification, heavy pollution