Self-Organized Criticality : Emergent Complex Behavior in PM10 Pollution

Abstract EN

We analyze long-term time series of daily average PM10 concentrations in Chengdu city.

Detrended fluctuation analysis of the time series shows long range correlation at one-year temporal scale.

Spectral analysis of the time series indicates 1/f noise behavior.

The probability distribution functions of PM10 concentrations fluctuation have a scale-invariant structure.

Why do the complex structures of PM10 concentrations evolution exhibit scale-invariant? We consider that these complex dynamical characteristics can be recognized as the footprint of self-organized criticality (SOC).

Based on the theory of self-organized criticality, a simplified sandpile model for PM10 pollution with a nondimensional formalism is put forward.

Our model can give a good prediction of scale-invariant in PM10 evolution.

A qualitative explanation of the complex dynamics observed in PM10 evolution is suggested.

The work supports the proposal that PM10 evolution acts as a SOC process on calm weather.

New theory suggests one way to understand the origin of complex dynamical characteristics in PM10 pollution.