Megacities and atmospheric pollution
Megacities and atmospheric pollution
复制标题
DOI：
10.1080/10473289.2004.10470936
复制
发表时间：
2004-06-01
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
Molina, LT
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Molina, MJ;Molina, LT
世界上大约一半的人口现在居住在城市地区，因为有机会获得更好的生活质量。许多这样的城市中心正在迅速扩张，导致特大城市的增长，特大城市被定义为人口超过1000万的大都市区。这些人口和活动的集中正在对自然环境施加越来越大的压力，在城市、区域和全球各级产生影响。近几十年来，空气污染已成为大城市最重要的问题之一。最初，人们关注的主要空气污染物是硫化合物，它们主要是由燃煤产生的。今天，光化学烟雾主要由交通、工业活动、发电和溶剂引起，已成为人们关注空气质量的主要来源，而硫仍然是发展中国家许多城市的主要问题。空气污染对公众健康产生严重影响，造成城市和区域雾霾，并有可能严重加剧气候变化。然而，通过适当的规划，大城市可以通过应用新的排放控制技术和发展公共交通系统等措施有效地解决空气质量问题。本综述的重点是9个城市中心，选择作为案例研究，从不同的角度评估空气质量：从工业化国家的城市到发展中国家的城市。虽然每个城市的问题、资源和前景都是独一无二的，但对解决复杂环境问题的整体方法的需求是相同的。在大城市减少空气污染没有单一的策略；改善空气质量需要一系列政策措施。经验表明，强烈的政治意愿加上公众对话对于有效执行解决空气质量问题所需的法规至关重要。
About half of the world's population now lives in urban areas because of the opportunity for a better quality of life. Many of these urban centers are expanding rapidly, leading to the growth of megacities, which are defined as metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 10 million inhabitants. These concentrations of people and activity are exerting increasing stress on the natural environment, with impacts at urban, regional and global levels. In recent decades, air pollution has become one of the most important problems of megacities. Initially, the main air pollutants of concern were sulfur compounds, which were generated mostly by burning coal. Today, photochemical smog-induced primarily from traffic, but also from industrial activities, power generation, and solvents-has become the main source of concern for air quality, while sulfur is still a major problem in many cities of the developing world. Air pollution has serious impacts on public health, causes urban and regional haze, and has the potential to contribute significantly to climate change. Yet, with appropriate planning, megacities can efficiently address their air quality problems through measures such as application of new emission control technologies and development of mass transit systems.This review is focused on nine urban centers, chosen as case studies to assess air quality from distinct perspectives: from cities in the industrialized nations to cities in the developing world. While each city-its problems, resources, and outlook-is unique, the need for a holistic approach to the complex environmental problems is the same. There is no single strategy in reducing air pollution in megacities; a mix of policy measures will be needed to improve air quality. Experience shows that strong political will coupled with public dialog is essential to effectively implement the regulations required to address air quality problems.