Dynamic variation for SO2 of Atmosphere in Beijing
Gao Xiaoju, Cheng Hong*, Tian Feng, Wang Rende
MOE Engineering Center of Desertification and Blown-
sand Control at Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875,
The People’s Republic of China
Abstract—SO2 is the second prime contamination of
atmosphere pollution in Beijing that can enter our respiratory
system and blood circulation system and hazard our body health.
Government and a lot of scholars focus the SO2 pollution. To
access efficiency of these control measurements, it is very
necessary to confirm the SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere, especial for dynamic variation for the SO2
concentration of Beijing atmosphere. However, little exists on the
study on dynamic variation for the SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere. This paper represents daily, monthly and Inter-
annual dynamic variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere base on reference data, Daily Report of Air Quality
in Beijing, Beijing Environmental Statement and Beijing Statistic
Yearbook. The main conclusions include: 1) SO2 concentration of
Beijing Atmosphere in heating season is larger that in no-heating
season . The former is larger the state standard; while the latter
is less than the state standard. In addation, SO2 concentration of
Beijing Atmosphere in heating season and no- heating season
have similar characteristics. But then, SO2 concentration of
Beijing Atmosphere in heating season have stronge change
amplitude. 2) As a whole, during of the course heating season,
SO2 API of Beijing Atmosphere will be larger ones in other times
and it will be in the lowest value in July and Augest. Except for
considering pollution resource, although there is some
relationship between SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere with
atmosphere diffusion, vegetation and rainfall have very great
effect on SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere. 3) In 1981-1998, SO2
concentration of Beijing atmosphere takes on increase tendency
with some fluctuation and in 1999-2006, SO2 concentration of
Beijing atmosphere decreases year after year. This paper helps to
provide the scientific basis for controlling the polluted air in
Beijing.
Keywords- SO2, dynamic variation, Beijing
I. INTRODUCTION
With continuous development of urbanization in Beijing,
population, industry and traffic et al come to concentrate in the
international metropolises, such as Beijing. Plenty of energy
consumption for rapidly operating process of social and
economy creates a great deal of harm gases and particles
which are important parts of air pollutant and affect people's
health. PM10 and SO2 are the most important two kinds
pollutants of Beijing atmosphere. Researches show that the
air pollutants, such as PM10 and SO2, can enter our respiratory
system and blood circulation system and hazard our body
health. The death rate and incidence of disease of respiratory
system and cardio-cerebral and angiopathy for human beings
increases quickly. World Sanitation Organization (WSO)
978-1-4244-1748-3/08/$25.00 © 2008 IEEE
State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and
Resource Ecology at Beijing Normal University, Beijing
100875, The People’s Republic of China
China Center of Desert Research at Beijing Normal
University, Beijing 100875, The People’s Republic of China
*Corresponding author, Email: ch@ires.cn
reports that more than 2.7 million of people are dead of air
pollution, including 33 % in citizens. People carried out some
researches about SO2 pollutant in Beijing. Meng et al. [2002]
measured SO2 in ten heights using the no-dynamic diffusing
apparatus that were installed in the steel tower of Institute of
atmosphere physics, Chinese Academy of science [1]. The
results showed that there were large SO2 concentration of
Beijing atmosphere under 200 m and its maximum occurred in
January and there was a positive correlation between SO2
concentration of Beijing atmosphere and intensity of
temperature inversion. Duan and Xu [2001] represented
season and daily variation and region distribution
characteristics of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere by
analyzing the monitoring data of SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere and pointed out that the pollution of SO2 was
more serious in the period of heating season than no-heating
season and SO2 concentration in the western region was higher
than that in the northeastern and SO2 concentration in urban
area was higher than that in suburb area [2]. Sun et al. [2006]
simulated region pollution of SO2 in Beijing by using he
Models3/CMAQ and provided monthly offering rate of SO2
concentration from circumference regions in spring, summer,
autumn and winter and SO2 in Beijing in heating season
mostly derived from local discharge pollution [3]. Wang et al.
[2006] set out the adsorption ability of garden plant for PM10
and SO2 by assessing the adsorption amount of PM10 and SO2
from garden vegetation in 2003 by using the dry deposition
model of air pollutant concentrating and exposing-responding
relation model [4].
Above researches provided some scientific basis for
controlling the pollution of SO2 in the past times. To access
efficiency of these control measurements, it is very necessary
to confirm the SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere,
especial for dynamic variation for the SO2 concentration of
Beijing atmosphere. However, little exists on the study on
dynamic variation for the SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere. This paper represents daily, monthly and Inter-
annual dynamic variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere base on reference data, Daily Report of Air Quality
in Beijing, Beijing Environmental Statement and Beijing
Statistic Yearbook. This paper helps to provide the scientific
basis for controlling the polluted air in Beijing.
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 II. METHOD March); while is larger than that in the case of no-heating for
The data in this paper include reference data [1,2], 2005 the whole March. However SO2 concentration of Beijing
Daily Report of Air Quality in Beijing is issued by Atmosphere (the 3th comlunm in Table 1) is larger than the 5th
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [5], 1995-2006 comlunm in Table 1. Therefore, SO2 concentration of Beijing
Beijing Environmental Statement [6] and 1981-2006 Beijing Atmosphere in night in heating season is less than that in
Statistic Yearbook [7]. daytime. For no-heating season, the main factor affecting SO2
concentration of Beijing Atmosphere is city traffic.
III. RESULT AND ANALYSIS

A. Daily variation

SO2 concentration (mg/m3)

Figure 1 clear shows that SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere in heating season is head and shoulders above that
in no-heating season. The former is larger the state standard
(0.06 mg/m3); while the latter is less than the state standard.
This demonstrates that SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere mostly
derives from burning discharge of of energy sources in heating
season. Duan and Xu [2001] pointed out in advance the
characterstics of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere.
From 23:00 o'clock in prior day to 4:00 o'clock, SO2 Time (h)
concentrations of Beijing atmosphere gradually decrease. Figure 1. Daily variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere (Ɣ
Since 4:00 o'clock, SO2 concentrations of Beijing atmosphere represents the value in heating season; ż represents the value in no-heating
gradually ascends and reaches the first peak value in 9:00- season) [2]
10:00 o'clock [2]. SO2 concentrations of Beijing atmosphere 7DEOHDaily variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere in
also gradually decrease until 17:00 o’clock and then gradually daytime and night for different month [1]
ascend and reach the second peak value in 23:00 o'clock. Duan
and Xu [2001] still represented the reason of the characterstics SO2 concentration of Beijing
3
SO2 concentration of Beijing
Height (m) atmosphere in daytime (µg/m ) atmosphere in night (µg/m3)
of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere from the
discharge thing of energy sources in heating season and February March February March
condition of atomsphere diffusion [2]. Compare the daily 0 70.94 38.69 80.72 31.06
variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere in
8 65.85 37.44 88.60 40.72
heating and no-heating season in the same coordinate system,
Duan and Xu [2001] there is no obvious daily variation of SO2 15 106.04 42.41 120.19 42.73
concentration of Beijing atmosphere [2]. However, if we plot 47 92.00 47.93 135.71 49.32
the the daily variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing 80 131.32 52.58 144.2 56.01
atmosphere in no-heating season into a enlarged coordinate
system and we will find that the characterstics of SO2 100 101.55 61.77 129.59 66.67
concentration of Beijing atmosphere in no-heating season is 140 110.44 60.30 104.55 49.26
consistent with that in heating season. But then, SO2 200 66.93 38.41 89.37 31.45
concentration of Beijing Atmosphere in heating season have
240 36.44 31.10 39.86 30.61
stronge change amplitude.
320 35.55 21.62 56.00 17.50
With temperature gradually ascending in daytime, SO2
discharge from heating boiler in daytime decreases and wind B. Monthly variation s
velocity gradually enlarging helps SO2 dibute and tansfer; in Because we have no month average SO2 concentration of
night, operation with high speed for heating boiler due low Beijing atmosphere, this paper discusses month variation of
temperature makes SO2 discharge increase quichly and the SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere by using Air
atomsphere diffusion is restricted by whether condition. Pollution Index (API) by from daily report of air quality in
Therefore, SO2 concentration of Beijing Atmosphere in night 2005 in Beijing that is issued by Environmental Protection
in heating season is larger than that in daytime (the 2th and 4th Agency (EPA). According to daily report of air quality in
comlunm in Table 1). This is consistent with above analysis 2005, the first two pollutants of air quality in Beijing are PM10
(Figure 1). Because we have no direct data of daytime and and SO2 that are regarded as prime pollutants about 331 days
night on SO2 concentration of Beijing Atmosphere in no- in 2005. SO2 is regarded as the prime pollutant about 34 days
heating season, this paper discusses them by analyzing SO2 that were distributed in January, February, March and
concentration of Beijing Atmosphere in March because there December r, with 13, 12, 5, and 4 days, respectively.
are heating searon (1-15 in March) and no-heating season (16-
31 in March). The value of SO2 concentration of Beijing Figure 2 presents month variation of SO2 API of Beijing
Atmosphere (the 3th and 5th comlunm in Table 1) is less than atmosphere. The sides of the distribution curve of SO2 API of
that in the case of heating for the whole March (1-31 in Beijing atmosphere (January, February, March and December)

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have larger than that in the middle position (July, August). In
other word, plenty of SO2 discharge of heating boiler in
Beijing makes SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere in heating
season (average value 65.0) is higher that other season. As
well known, SO2 of Beijing atmosphere derives from the
discharge of coal burning [1]. In addition, in no-heating
season, there is few coals burning and people use clean
cooking fuel, so SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere is low level
and the average value is 23.6. The lowest SO2 API of Beijing
atmosphere happens in July and August. This is relative to
atmosphere diffusion [1] and to the strongest adsorption
ability for SO2 of garden plant due to the maximal vegetation
coverage and the densest vegetation in July and August. In
addition, rainfall is also the most two months (more than 50 %
rainfall for one year). Rainfall can help to decrease pollution
concentration and to cleanse atmosphere [8].
Since September, because the vegetation begins to wilt
and rainfall decreases, the reduction of the adsorption ability
for SO2 of the vegetation and the cleanse effect of rainfall on
atmosphere make SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere increase.
SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere in September and October are
larger than those in July and August and the increase
amplitudes are 7% and 8%, respectively. The continuous
increase of SO2 concentration of Beijing Atmosphere in July
and August and November (1-14) and the plenty of discharge
SO2 from heating boiler since 15 in November result in the
increase amplitudes of SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere in
November and in August is 350%. The maximal value of SO2
concentration of Beijing Atmosphere occurs in January and
February [2]. After stopping heat in Beijing since 15 in March,
although there is the effect of discharge SO2 of heating boiler
1-15 in March on SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere, SO2 API of
Beijing atmosphere in March comparing with January and
February reduces 21% and 17 %. Since April, because rainfall
increases and vegetation recovery from transplanting, the
cleanse effect of rainfall and the adsorption effect make SO2
concentration of Beijing decrease and it would reach the
lowest value in July and August. Therefore, except for
considering pollution resource, although there is some
relationship between SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere with
atmosphere diffusion, vegetation and rainfall have very
important effect on SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere.
80
60
API Index
40
20
0 adsorption amount for SO2 of garden plant in 2003 was 3821.5t
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Figure 2. Month variation of SO2 API of Beijing atmosphere
C. Inter-annual variation
Figure 3 provides the inter-annual variation for SO2
concentration of Beijing Atmosphere. In 1981-2006, the
maximum value of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere is
133µg/m3 and the minimum value is 50µg/m3 and the mean
value is 91.91µg/m3 that is larger than the state standard
(60µg/m3). During the course of 1981-2006, SO2
concentration of Beijing Atmosphere has the situation that
increases and then decreases. In 1981-1998, SO2 concentration
of Beijing atmosphere takes on increase situation with some
fluctuation and the maximum value is 133µg/m3 and the
minimum value is 80µg/m3 and the mean value is 109µg/m3.
In 1999-2006, SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere
decreases year after year and the maximum value is 80µg/m3
and the mean value is only 62.6µg/m3 that is approach to the
state standard. Furthermore, since 2003, SO2 concentration of
Beijing atmosphere is less than the state standard. The
variation of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere in 1981-
2008 and 1999-2006 shows that the measurements of
controlling SO2 discharge created great effect since 1997.
As well known, SO2 concentration of atmosphere mainly
derives from nature processes (volcano and forest fire et al.)
and man-made processes (manufacture, living cooking range,
heating boiler, traffic and garden plant et al.). Because we
cannot control nature process and it is very assess the effect of
nature process on SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere,
this paper mainly discussed man-made processes. In 1981-
1998, although percentage of coverage of city garden plant in
Beijing increased from 20.1 % to 35.3 %, no or very limit
control measures for SO2 discharge of manufacture, living
cooking range, heating boiler and traffic et al. At the same
time, with development of Beijing urbanization, population and
motor vehicles rapidly increase. SO2 discharge of living
cooking range, heating boiler and traffic rapidly increase and
SO2 concentration of Beijing Atmosphere also increases. For
the fluctuation of SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere, it
is relative to atmosphere environment. Furthermore, Sun et al
[2006] pointed out that average contribution of near regions to
SO2 concentration in Beijing is 15.55%, and this has some
season difference [3]. In 1999-2006, in order to control
environment pollution, Beijing government input plenty of
financial resources. For example, closing and taking away
some high pollution discharge enterprises and factories and
replacing coal to cleanliness fuel and executing discharge limit
standard of traffic reduced the discharge resource of SO2 and
decrease SO2 discharge amount of manufacture, living cooking
range, heating boiler, traffic et al. Meanwhile, percentage of
coverage of city garden plant in Beijing increased from 35.3 %
to 42.5 %. This made that garden plant adsorbed abundant SO2
in air. Therefore, in 1999-2006, SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere decreases year after year. In particular, the
12 [4] and this shows garden plant has strong adsorption ability.
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SO2 concentration (µg/m3)
140
120
100
80
60
40
1980 1985 1990
Year
Figure 3. The interannual variation for SO2 concentration of Beijing
Atmosphere
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper analyzed the daily, month and inter-annual
variation of SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere and gained several
conclusions as followed:
1) SO2 concentration of Beijing Atmosphere in heating
season is larger that in no-heating season . The former is larger
the state standard; while the latter is less than the state
standard. In addation, SO2 concentration of Beijing
Atmosphere in heating season and no- heating season have
similar characteristics. But then, SO2 concentration of Beijing
Atmosphere in heating season have stronge change amplitude.
2) As a whole, during of the course heating season, SO2
API of Beijing Atmosphere will be larger ones in other times
and it will be in the lowest value in July and Augest. Except
for considering pollution resource, although there is some
relationship between SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere with
atmosphere diffusion, vegetation and rainfall have very great
effect on SO2 of Beijing Atmosphere.
3) In 1981-1998, SO2 concentration of Beijing
atmosphere takes on increase tendency with some fluctuation
and in 1999-2006, SO2 concentration of Beijing atmosphere
decreases year after year.
1995 2000 2005
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Authors gratefully acknowledge the reviewers. Authors
also acknowledge the programs from the National Natural
Science Foundation of China (40601011,10532030), the Key
Technologies Research and Development Program of China
(2006BAD26B03) and Beijing Nova Program (2006A31).
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