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Gaizhou occupies a strategic position in southern Liaoning province, situated at the coordinates 40.4000°N, 122.3500°E along the Liaodong Peninsula's western coast. This mid-sized Chinese city of approximately 559,271 residents lies within the broader Bohai Economic Rim, an industrial powerhouse region that significantly influences its air quality profile. The urban area rests on relatively flat alluvial plains with gentle undulating terrain, averaging around 20-50 meters above sea level, though nearby hills to the east provide some topographic variation. Gaizhou's proximity to the Bohai Sea—approximately 30 kilometers to the west—creates a coastal-inland transition zone where maritime influences moderate temperatures but also contribute to humidity and occasional sea fog. The city serves as an important node between the heavy industrial centers of Anshan and Yingkou to the north and agricultural regions extending southward, creating an urban-rural gradient where pollution sources blend. Surrounding landscapes feature a mix of cultivated fields, particularly for corn and soybeans, interspersed with light manufacturing zones. This geographic positioning places Gaizhou downwind from major industrial emissions originating in the Shenyang-Anshan urban corridor during prevailing northwesterly winds, while its own urban activities—including transportation, residential heating, and general industry—generate localized particulate matter. The relatively low elevation and basin-like topography of the Liaodong Peninsula can trap pollutants during stable atmospheric conditions, exacerbating air quality challenges despite coastal proximity.

Gaizhou experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by its temperate monsoon climate and regional industrial activity. Winter months from December through February typically present the most challenging conditions, as coal-fired heating systems operate at full capacity across northern China, combining with frequent temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the surface. Cold, stagnant air masses from Siberia often settle over the Liaodong Peninsula, creating persistent haze episodes where PM2.5 concentrations rise significantly. Sensitive groups including children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exposure during these months, particularly during morning hours when inversion layers are strongest. Spring brings gradual improvement as heating demand decreases and increasing wind speeds from March through May help disperse accumulated pollutants, though dust storms originating from Mongolia and northern China can occasionally degrade air quality temporarily. Summer offers the cleanest air from June through August, as southeasterly monsoon winds from the Bohai Sea bring cleaner maritime air while convective rainfall helps wash pollutants from the atmosphere—this is the optimal season for outdoor activities. Autumn sees a transitional period from September through November where air quality gradually deteriorates as heating systems begin operating again and atmospheric stability increases, with October often marking the beginning of the winter pollution buildup. Throughout the year, fog formation—particularly radiation fog in autumn and winter—can interact with pollution to create dense smog episodes requiring caution for all residents.