Analysis of Key Factors for Sulfation Rate in Urumqi, NW, China

The relationships between monthly average concentration of atmospheric pollutants, meteorological factors and sulfation rate of 2009 were investigated. It was found that the sulfation rate not only depends on the concentration of SO₂, but also significantly associated with PM₁₀, since the surface of PM₁₀ plays an important role in the oxidation of SO₂. Pressure and relative humidity play a positive role in improving the sulfation rate. H₂O (g) in the air has the ability to condense the pollutants, and the sulfate rate is reduced by the by the precipitation scoured pollutants. Therefore, the sulfate rate is determined by H₂O in air rather than the precipitation. The temperature and the wind speed affect the diffusion and dilution of pollutants, thereby determining the sulfation rate.