Mechanisms and Pathways for Coordinated Control of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ground-level ozone (O₃) pose a significant risk to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently revised healthy thresholds for both pollutants. The formation and evolution of PM_2.5 and O₃ are however governed by complex physical and multiphase chemical processes, and therefore, it is extremely challenging to mitigate both pollutants simultaneously. Here, we review mechanisms and discuss the science-informed pathways for effective and simultaneous mitigation of PM_2.5 and O₃.

Global warming has led to a general increase in biogenic emissions, which can enhance the formation of O₃ and secondary organic aerosols. Reductions in anthropogenic emissions during the COVID-19 lockdown reduced PM_2.5; however, O₃ was enhanced in several polluted regions. This was attributed to more intense sunlight due to low aerosol loading and non-linear response of O₃ to NO . Such contrasting physical and chemical interactions hinder the formulation of a clear roadmap for clean air over such regions.

Atmospheric chemistry including the role of biogenic emissions, aerosol-radiation interactions, boundary layer, and regional-scale transport are the key aspects that need to be carefully considered in the formulation of mitigation pathways. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the chemical effects of the emission reductions, changes in photolytic rates and boundary layer due to perturbation of solar radiation, and the effect of meteorological/seasonal changes are needed on a regional basis. Statistical emulators and machine learning approaches can aid the cumbersome process of multi-sector multi-species source attribution.