[Correlation between atmospheric PM2.5 concentration and meteorological factors during summer and autumn in Beijing,...

Based on the monitoring data from 1st July to 31th October, 2008 and 2009 at the Beijing urban ecosystem research station, correlations between PM2.5 concentration and 6 meteorological factors were analyzed, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, vapour pressure, atmospheric pressure and wind direction. Main results showed that the dynamics of PM2.5 concentration displayed an obvious fluctuation cycle every 6 weeks, while few changes happened within one week. The highest variation in weekly average of PM2.5 concentration happened during the third 6 weeks, followed by the first 6 weeks, and the lowest variation occurred in the second 6 weeks. Correlation analysis suggested that the weekly average of PM2.5 concentration was significantly correlated with all the 6 meteorological factors, and its correlation with the vapour pressure was the greatest. Results presented in this study confirmed that the weekly average of PM2.5 concentration between Ju- ly and August in Beijing could be estimated by the vapour pressure. The research would benefit the analysis and regulation of the pollution source of PM2.5 in Beijing.