Quantifying influences of administrative division adjustment on PM2.5 pollution in China's mega-urban agglomerations

China's mega-urban agglomerations have experienced severe particulate matter pollution that is accompanied by rapid economic growth and extensive administrative division adjustment (ADA). However, the precise roles of ADA on the environmental quality are unknown. Using the geographical detector and evolution tree model, this study quantifies the effects and mechanisms of ADA on the changes in PM 2.5 concentration in three mega-urban agglomerations: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and Pearl River Delta (PRD) during 2000–2017. Our results showed that: (1) ADA had strong positive effects on PM 2.5 concentrations in the 0–6 years lag and negative effects in the 7–10 years lag; (2) During 2000–2009, ADA elevated PM 2.5 concentration by 5.93% via stimulating the development and transfer of heavy industry and urban sprawl in the BTH; (3) YRD and PRD respectively reduced the ADA's exacerbating effect to 5.26% and 4.98% via reasonable industrial structures and comprehensive cooperation mechanisms; (4) During 2009–2017, BTH and YRD integrated industrial transformation and environmental protection services through ADA, which alleviated 9.51% and 8.49% of PM 2.5 pollution. PRD, meanwhile, accomplished orderly population dispersal and urban expansion by combining ADA with urban planning, thus reducing the PM 2.5 concentration by 8.01%. We located three agglomerations in the evolution tree, which provide a basis for formulating relevant policies and region-oriented air pollution joint prevention control strategies. • The significant time-lag effect of administrative division adjustment was 10 years. • Administrative division adjustment determined an average of 7.11% on PM 2.5 change. • Administrative division adjustment mitigated 8.69% of PM 2.5 during 2009–2017. • PM 2.5 in cities with administrative division adjustment had similar evolving trends. • Population and industrial emission were the major drivers of PM 2.5 concentration.