Effect characteristics of Chinese New Year fireworks/firecrackers on PM2.5 concentration at large space and time scales

Fireworks/firecrackers have always played an important role in traditional Chinese New Year. However, several pollutants are emitted while burning fireworks/firecrackers. Among them, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) draws extensive attention due to its negative effect on human body. Previous studies have proved fireworks/firecrackers displays can raise regional PM_2.5 concentration, but studies are still constrained to specific cities and time periods. Remote sensing is an efficient tool to monitor the change of PM_2.5 concentration during such intensive and widespread fireworks/firecrackers display activities. By combining ground-based PM_2.5 data and long-term satellite AOD products, we analyzed the respond of PM_2.5 concentration to Chinese New Year fireworks/firecrackers displays, and evaluated the effect intensity of such activities at different space and time scales. The results indicate that the effect of Chinese New Year fireworks/firecrackers displays is intense but transience at both city level and national level. Besides, by combining multi-source data, a model was constructed for estimating historical ground PM_2.5 concentration data.