New China Air Pollution Data Center Launched

While significant progress has been made in improving air quality in China through regulations such as the 2013 Clean Air Act, air pollution has become increasingly complex. Despite notable improvements, the development of the economy and the expansion of vehicle activity have given rise to new challenges, such as the emergence of ozone (O₃) pollution, complicating the air quality management landscape.

In response, a dedicated air pollution data center has been launched, supported by a major research plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) entitled “Fundamental Research on the Formation and Reaction Mechanism of the Air Pollution Complex in China”. This initiative aims to delve into the formation mechanisms of air pollution, crucial chemical and physical processes and their interconnection.

This Major Research Plan, consisting of 76 individual research projects, has produced extensive and high-quality data. To consolidate and disseminate these findings for scientific research into air pollution, a comprehensive data sharing platform was launched in 2020. Led by Peking University, in collaboration with Tsinghua University, the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Normal University and 3Clear Science & Technology Co., Ltd. this platform marks the beginning of the China Air Pollution Data Center (CAPDC).

Available on www.capdatabase.cnCAPDC represents the first-ever data sharing platform specifically addressing the complexities of air pollution in China. The platform is designed to be inclusive and welcomes both domestic and international scientists.

The launch of CAPDC has been mentioned in the journal Advances in the atmospheric sciences, which divides the results of the Major Research Plan into eight different categories, covering both data and non-data types. The data categories include emissions inventory, chemical reanalysis, field observation, satellite observation, laboratory measurements and source profile, with a total of 258 data sets. Results that are not a data type are further divided into new technology and online resource allocation technology, for a total of 15 reports.

Here is a brief overview of some key data categories available on CAPDC:

1. Emissions inventory: providing nine datasets on various anthropogenic and natural sources, including a 10 km resolution emissions inventory for China in 2017.
2. Chemical Reanalysis: Consisting of three datasets, including high-resolution air quality reanalysis and PM_2.5 composition data, continuously updated on the platform.
3. Field Observation: Provides 221 datasets from 2011 to 2021, capturing field measurements in 41 cities, focusing on parameters such as cloud characteristics and aerosol parameters.
4. Satellite Observation: Collecting high-resolution data for various air pollutants through the Major Research Plan and the ChinaHighAirPollutants (CHAP) dataset.
5. Laboratory measurements: includes physicochemical property parameters and chemical reaction parameters in six data sets.

The CAPDC website provides bilingual access in Chinese and English, facilitating functions such as requesting project information, retrieving data and downloading after registering and agreeing to the data use terms. In particular, emissions inventory, chemical reanalysis and satellite observation data can be previewed before downloading.

“Looking ahead, CAPDC aims to expand its repository with additional data and resources, continuously improving the user experience and strengthening efforts in the fight against air pollution.” Said the PI of CAPDC, Prof. Mei Zheng from Beijing University.