Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of drivers and impacts of composite air pollution at China's urban scale: A multi-source data and integrated approach analysis for 2015-2023.

Atmospheric pollutants impose significant deleterious effects on human health. China's carbon neutrality objectives necessitate implementing rigorous pollution governance measures. However, synergistic interactions among multiple factors engender pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity in air pollution. This study consequently investigates driving forces, attribution, and trends of nationwide urban composite pollution using multi-source datasets and technologies. Results demonstrate that key driving factors exhibit temporal disparities at both inter-annual and seasonal scales in terms of factor weights, response curves, and impact interval values of factors. Influences of typical pollution drivers and meteorological determinants on composite pollution exhibit distinct east-west disparities bounded by Hu Line. Driving factors of spatial disparities indicate that pollution factors constitute primary contributor, with impacts exhibiting upward inter-annual trends. The influences of geographical conditions and socio-economic factors are also non-negligible. Further analysis employing ratios of gross regional product (GRP) per unit of energy consumption to pollutant emissions and per GRP to pollutant emissions reveal that only five regions achieved median levels of national major pollutant emissions. Significant disparities in development trajectories among regions necessitate tailored strategies for atmospheric pollution control based on local pollution mechanisms, integrated with regional socio-economic development plans, to achieve scientific co-control of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.