Transport Patterns and Potential Sources of Atmospheric Pollution during the ⅩⅩⅣ Olympic Winter Games Period

The attainment of suitable ambient air quality standards is a matter of great concern for successfully hosting the ⅩⅩⅣ Olympic Winter Games(OWG). Transport patterns and potential sources of pollutants in Zhangjiakou(ZJK) were investigated using pollutant monitoring datasets and a dispersion model. The PM_(2.5) concentration during February in ZJK has increased slightly(28%) from 2018 to 2021, mostly owing to the shift of main potential source regions of west-central Inner Mongolia and Mongolian areas(2015–18) to the North China Plain and northern Shanxi Province(NCPS) after 2018.Using CO as an indicator, the relative contributions of the different regions to the receptor site(ZJK) were evaluated based on the source-receptor-relationship method(SRR) and an emission inventory. We found that the relative contribution of pollutants from NCPS increased from 33% to 68% during 2019–21. Central Inner Mongolia(CIM) also has an important impact on ZJK under unfavorable weather conditions. This study demonstrated that the effect of pollution control measures in the NCPS and CIM should be strengthened to ensure that the air quality meets the standard during the ⅩⅩⅣ OWG.

Characteristics and source apportionment of ambient volatile organic compounds and ozone generation sensitivity in urban Jiaozuo,China

In recent years,many cities have taken measures to reduce volatile organic compounds(VOCs),an important precursor of ozone(O_(3)),to alleviate O_(3) pollution in China.116 VOC species were measured by online and offline methods in the urban area of Jiaozuo from May to October in 2021 to analyze the compositional characteristics.VOC sources were analyzed by a positive matrix factorization(PMF)model,and the sensitivity of ozone generation was determined by ozone isopleth plotting research(OZIPR)simulation.The results showed that the average volume concentration of total VOCs was 30.54 ppbv and showed a bimodal feature due to the rush-hour traffic in the morning and at nightfall.The most dominant VOC groups were oxygenated VOCs(OVOCs,29.3%)and alkanes(26.7%),and the most abundant VOC species were acetone and acetylene.However,based on the maximum incremental reactivity(MIR)method,the major VOC groups in terms of ozone formation potential(OFP)contribution were OVOCs(68.09μg/m^(3),31.5%),aromatics(62.90μg/m^(3),29.1%)and alkene/alkynes(54.90μg/m^(3),25.4%).This indicates that the control of OVOCs,aromatics and alkene/alkynes should take priority.Five sources of VOCs were quantified by PMF,including fixed sources of fossil fuel combustion(27.8%),industrial processes(25.9%),vehicle exhaust(19.7%),natural and secondary formation(13.9%)and solvent usage(12.7%).The empirical kinetic modeling approach(EKMA)curve obtained by OZIPR on O_(3) exceedance days indicated that the O_(3) sensitivity varied in different months.The results provide theoretical support for O_(3) pollution prevention and control in Jiaozuo.

Development and evaluation of an online monitoring single-particle optical particle counter with polarization detection

We developed a single-particle optical particle counter with polarization detection(SOPC)for the real-time measurement of the optical size and depolarization ratio(defined as the ratio of the vertical component to the parallel component of backward scattering)of atmospheric particles,the polarization ratio(DR)value can reflect the irregularity of the particles.The SOPC can detect aerosol particles with size larger than 500 nm and the maximum particle count rate reaches~1.8×10^(5)particles per liter.The SOPC uses a modulated polarization laser to measure the optical size of particles according to forward scattering signal and the DR value of the particles by backward S and P signal components.The sampling rate of the SOPC was 106#/(sec·channel),and all the raw data were processed online.The calibration curve was obtained by polystyrene latex spheres with sizes of 0.5-10μm,and the average relative deviation of measurement was 3.96% for sub 3μm particles.T-matrix method calculations showed that the DR value of backscatter light at 120°could describe the variations in the aspect ratio of particles in the above size range.We performed insitu observations for the evaluation of the SOPC,the mass concentration constructed by the SOPC showed good agreement with the PM_(2.5)measurements in a nearby state-controlled monitoring site.This instrument could provide useful data for source appointment and regulations against air pollution.

Development of an automatic measurement system using atmospheric pressure photoionization ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry and application for on-line analysis of particulate matter

On-line chemical characterization of atmospheric particulate matter(PM)with soft ionization technique and ultrahigh-resolution Mass Spectrometry(UHRMS)provides molecular information of organic constituents in real time.Here we describe the development and application of an automatic measurement system that incorporates PM_(2.5)sampling,thermal desorption,atmospheric pressure photoionization,and UHRMS analysis.Molecular formulas of detected organic compounds were deducted from the accurate(±10 ppm)molecular weights obtained at a mass resolution of 100,000,allowing the identification of small organic compounds in PM_(2.5).Detection efficiencies of 28 standard compounds were determined and we found a high sensitivity and selectivity towards organic amines with limits of detection below 10 pg.As a proof of principle,PM_(2.5)samples collected off-line in winter in the urban area of Beijing were analyzed using the Ionization Module and HRMS of the system.The automatic system was then applied to conduct on-line measurements during the summer time at a time resolution of 2 hr.The detected organic compounds comprised mainly CHON and CHN compounds below 350 m/z.Pronounced seasonal variations in elemental composition were observed with shorter carbon backbones and higher O/C ratios in summer than that in winter.This result is consistent with stronger photochemical reactions and thus a higher oxidation state of organics in summer.Diurnal variation in signal intensity of each formula provides crucial information to reveal its source and formation pathway.In summary,the automatic measurement system serves as an important tool for the on-line characterization and identification of organic species in PM_(2.5).

Refractory black carbon aerosols in rainwater in the summer of 2019 in Beijing:Mass concentration,size distribution and wet scavenging ratio

Black carbon(BC)aerosols in the atmosphere play a significant role in climate systems due to their strong ability to absorb solar radiation.The lifetime of BC depends on atmospheric transport,aging and consequently on wet scavenging processes(in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging).In this study,sequential rainwater samples in eight rainfall events collected in 2 mm interval were measured by a tandem system including a single particle soot photometer(SP2)and a nebulizer.The results showed that the volume-weighted average(VWA)mass concentrations of refractory black carbon(rBC)in each rainfall event varied,ranging from 10.8 to 78.9μg/L.The highest rBC concentrations in the rainwater samples typically occurred in the first fraction from individual rainfall events.The geometric mean median mass-equivalent diameter(MMD)decreased under precipitation,indicating that rBC with larger sizes was relatively aged and preferentially removed by wet scavenging.A positive correlation(R2=0.73)between the VWA mass concentrations of rBC in rainwater and that in ambient air suggested the important contribution of scavenging process.Additionally,the contributions of in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging were distinguished and accounted for 74%and 26%to wet scavenging,respectively.The scavenging ratio of rBC particles was estimated to be 0.06 on average.This study provides helpful information for better understanding the mechanism of rBC wet scavenging and reducing the uncertainty of numerical simulations of the climate effects of rBC.

Hygroscopic growth of aerosol scattering coefficient:A comparative analysis between urban and suburban sites at winter in Beijing

A humidity controlled inlet system was developed to measure the hygroscopic growth of aerosol scattering coefficient in conjunction with nephelometry at an urban site of Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences （CAMS） in Beijing and a rural site at Shangdianzi Regional Background Air Pollution Monitoring Station （SDZ） outside Beijing during winter, from December 2005 to January 2006. Measurements were carded out at a wavelength of 525 nm with an Ecotech M9003 nephelometer. The hygroscopic growth function （or factor） of the aerosol scattering coefficientf（RH） increased continuously with increasing relative humidity （RH） and showed no obvious ＂step-like＂ deliquescent behavior at both sites during the experiment. The average growth factorf（RH） at the SDZ site could reach 1.5 when RH increased from less than 40% to 92%, and to 2.1 at the CAMS site when RH increased from less than 40% to 93%. The average hygroscopic growth factor at a relative humidity of 80%, f（RH = 80 ± 1%）, was found to be about 1.26 ±0.15 at CAMS and 1.24 ±0.11 at SDZ. Further analysis indicated that under relatively polluted conditions, the average hygroscopic growth factor was higher at the CAMS site than that at the SDZ site. However, under relatively clean air conditions, the difference between the two sites was small, showing a hygroscopic growth behavior similar to those of burning biomass or blowing dust. These results reflected the different characteristics of aerosol types at the two sites.

Chemical formation and source apportionment of PM_(2.5) at an urban site at the southern foot of the Taihang mountains

The region along the Taihang Mountains in the North China Plain(NCP) is characterized by serious fine particle pollution. To clarify the formation mechanism and controlling factors, an observational study was conducted to investigate the physical and chemical properties of the fine particulate matter in Jiaozuo city, China. Mass concentrations of the water-soluble ions(WSIs) in PM_(2.5) and gaseous pollutant precursors were measured on an hourly basis from December 1, 2017, to February 27, 2018. The positive matrix factorization(PMF) method and the FLEXible PARTicle(FLEXPART) model were employed to identify the sources of PM_(2.5). The results showed that the average mass concentration of PM_(2.5) was 111 μg/m^(3) during the observation period. Among the major WSIs, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium(SNA) constituted 62% of the total PM_(2.5) mass, and NO_(3)^(-) ranked the highest with an average contribution of 24.6%. NH_(4)^(+) was abundant in most cases in Jiaozuo. According to chemical balance analysis, SO_(2)-4, NO_(3)^(-), and Cl^(-) might be present in the form of(NH_4)_(2)SO_4, NH_4NO_3, NH_4Cl, and KCl. The liquid-phase oxidation of SO_(2) and NO_(2) was severe during the haze period. The relative humidity and pH were the key factors influencing SO_(4)^(2-) formation. We found that NO_(3)^(-) mainly stemmed from homogeneous gas-phase reactions in the daytime and originated from the hydrolysis of N_(2)O_5 in the nighttime, which was inconsistent with previous studies. The PMF model identified five sources of PM_(2.5) : secondary origin(37.8%), vehicular emissions(34.7%), biomass burning(11.5%), coal combustion(9.4%), and crustal dust(6.6%).

Cross-boundary transport and source apportionment for PM_(2.5) in a typical industrial city in the Hebei Province,China:A modeling study

Cross-boundary transport of air pollution is a difficult issue in pollution control for the North China Plain.In this study,an industrial district(Shahe City)with a large glass manufactur-ing sector was investigated to clarify the relative contribution of fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5))to the city's high levels of pollution.The Nest Air Quality Prediction Model System(NAQPMS),paired with Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF),was adopted and applied with a spatial resolution of 5 km.During the study period,the mean mass concentrations of PM_(2.5),SO_(2),and NO_(2)were observed to be 132.0,76.1,and 55.5μg/m^(3),respectively.The model reproduced the variations in pollutant concentrations in Shahe at an acceptable level.The simulation of online source-tagging revealed that pollutants emitted within a 50-km radius of downtown Shahe contributed 63.4%of the city's total PM_(2.5)concentration.This contribu-tion increased to 73.9±21.2%when unfavorable meteorological conditions(high relative hu-midity,weak wind,and low planetary boundary layer height)were present;such conditions are more frequently associated with severe pollution(PM_(2.5)≥250μg/m^(3)).The contribution from Shahe was 52.3±21.6%.The source apportionment results showed that industry(47%),transportation(10%),power(17%),and residential(26%)sectors were the most important sources of PM_(2.5)in Shahe.The glass factories(where chimney stack heights were normally<70 m)in Shahe contributed 32.1%of the total PM_(2.5)concentration in Shahe.With an in-crease in PM_(2.5)concentration,the emissions from glass factories accumulated vertically and narrowed horizontally.At times when pollution levels were severe,the horizontally influ-enced area mainly covered Shahe.Furthermore,sensitivity tests indicated that reducing emissions by 20%,40%,and 60% could lead to a decrease in themass concentration of PM_(2.5) of of 12.0%,23.8%,and 35.5%,respectively.

An intercomparison of ozone taken from the Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service and the second Modern-Era retrospective analysis for research and applications over China during 2018 and 2019

Spatiotemporal variations of ozone(O_(3))taken from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service(CAMS)and the second Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications(MERRA-2)were intercompared and evaluated with ground and ozone-sonde observations over China in 2018 and 2019.Intercomparison of the surface ozone from CAMS and MERRA-2 reanalysis showed significant negative bias(CAMS minus MERRA-2,same below)at Tibetan Plateau of up to 80μg/m^(3),and the average R^(2)was about 0.6 across China.Evaluated with the ground observations from China National Environmental Monitoring Center(CNEMC),we found that CAMS and MERRA-2 reanalysis were capable of capturing the key patterns of monthly and diurnal variations of surface ozone over China except for the western region,and MERRA-2 overestimated the observations compared to CAMS.Vertically,the CAMS profiles overestimated the ozone-sonde from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Center(WOUDC)above 200 h Pa with the magnitude reaching up to 150μg/m3,while little bias was found between the reanalysis and observations below 200 h Pa.Intercomparison drawn from the vertical distribution between CAMS and MERRA-2 reanalysis showed that the negative bias appeared throughout the troposphere over China,while the positive bias emerged in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere(UTLS)with high order of magnitude exceeding 100μg/m^(3),indicating large uncertainties at higher altitudes.In summary,we concluded that CAMS reanalysis showed better agreement with the observations in contrast to MERRA-2,and the large discrepancy especially at higher altitudes between these two reanalysis datasets could not be ignored.