According to the theory of beam spreading and taking electromagnetic Gaussian Shell-model beam as an object of research, the change in its spectral degree of polarization is studied by numerical analysis. Based on the numerical results, the mechanism that governs the change in polarization of an electromagnetic beam on propagation is discussed. The results show that the beam spreading of two components of an electromagnetic beam results in the change in polarization of beam directly, and the beam spreading is determined by source parameters and atmospheric turbulence. The difference between beam spreading of two components induced by coherence leads to the change in polarization in free space. The change in degree of polarization is influenced by source parameters and turbulence on propagation in atmosphere. The result is similar to that in free space over relatively short distance, which is mainly governed by source parameters. With the enhancement of turbulence over a sufficiently long distance, the change in polarization in atmosphere is different from that in free space.