Spatial‐Temporal Characteristics Analysis of Air Pollution in Hubei Province Based on Functional Data Clustering

In recent years, China has attached great importance to ecological and environmental protection, upholding the important concept that clear waters and lush mountains are valuable assets. In order to explore the characteristics of air pollution in this area, the air quality index (AQI) is studied by clustering analysis of functional data. Firstly, the change curve of the air quality index is reduced by principal component analysis of functional data. Secondly, the basis coefficients of principal components are clustered by K‐means. Finally, the characteristics of air pollution in Hubei Province are analyzed from the aspects of the time dimension and space dimension. The results show that 13 prefectural administrative regions in Hubei Province can be divided into four types of areas according to air quality changes, showing a trend of increasing pollution from north to south and showing a significant similar pattern in the time dimension, with significant seasonal characteristics.