Atmospheric pollutants transport tracks revealed from ^(131)I, ^(137)Cs, and ^(134)Cs leaked from Fukushima accident and ~7Be and ^(210)Pb observed at Guiyang of China

A massive earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale that occurred on March 11, 2011, on Honshu Island, Japan, caused radioactivity leakage from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, which led to the leakage of artificial nuclides(131I, 137 Cs, and 134Cs) and their global transportation by atmospheric circulation. This paper reports a systematic comparative observation on radioactive concentrations of natural nuclides(7Be and 210Pb) and artificial nuclides(131I, 137 Cs, and 134Cs) at the surface level, measured in weekly continuous aerosol sampling at Mount Guanfeng, Guiyang, China, from March 17, 2011 to April 28, 2011. During this period, the variations in the nuclide concentrations associated with their transport paths were analyzed with 315 hour back-trajectories of air mass initialized 500 m above the surface level at Guiyang. The results show that the pollutants of nuclear leakage from the Fukushima accident were transported to the Guiyang region of China via two significant pathways. In the first pathway the first wave of nuclear pollutants were transported from west to east in air masses at higher altitudes via global atmospheric circulation. The nuclear pollutants encircled the Earth almost once and after about 10 days to two weeks, between March 24 and March 31, 2011, intruded Guiyang from the northwestern region of China. In the second pathway, the nuclear pollutants from the Fukushima region arrived at Guiyang between April 7 and April 14, 2011, via air masses at lower altitudes that moved southwards because of the squeezing of the northeast Asian weather system and then by the influence, in succession, of the northeastern and southeastern air currents in the low-latitude region. The first transport pathway for atmospheric pollutants is on a global scale and based on air masses at higher altitudes, and the second transport pathway is on an eastern Asia regional scale and based on the air masses at lower altitude.

Distribution and Formation Causes of PM_(2.5) and O_(3) Double High Pollution Events in China during 2013–20

Fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5))and ozone(O_(3))double high pollution(DHP)events have occurred frequently over China in recent years,but their causes are not completely clear.In this study,the spatiotemporal distribution of DHP events in China during 2013–20 is analyzed.The synoptic types affecting DHP events are identified with the Lamb–Jenkinson circulation classification method.The meteorological and chemical causes of DHP events controlled by the main synoptic types are further investigated.Results show that DHP events(1655 in total for China during 2013–20)mainly occur over the North China Plain,Yangtze River Delta,Pearl River Delta,Sichuan Basin,and Central China.The occurrence frequency increases by 5.1%during 2013–15,and then decreases by 56.1%during 2015–20.The main circulation types of DHP events are“cyclone”and“anticyclone”,accounting for over 40%of all DHP events over five main polluted regions in China,followed by southerly or easterly flat airflow types,like“southeast”,“southwest”,and“east”.Compared with non-DHP events,DHP events are characterized by static or weak wind,high temperature(20.9℃ versus 23.1℃)and low humidity(70.0%versus 64.9%).The diurnal cycles of meteorological conditions cause PM_(2.5)(0300–1200 LST,Local Standard Time=UTC+8 hours)and O_(3)(1500–2100 LST)to exceed the national standards at different periods of the DHP day.Three pollutant conversion indices further indicate the rapid secondary conversions during DHP events,and thus the concentrations of NO_(2),SO_(2) and volatile organic compounds decrease by 13.1%,4.7%and 4.4%,respectively.The results of this study can be informative for future decisions on the management of DHP events.

Measurement and Meteorological Analysis of 7Be and 210pb in Aerosol at Waliguan Observatory

Beryllium-7 （^7Be） and lead-210 （^210pb） activities were measured from October 2002 to January 2004 at Waliguan Observatory （WO： 36.287°N, 100.898°E, 3816 m a.s.l （above sea level） in northwest China. ^7Be and ^210pb activities are high with overall averages of 14.74-3.5 mBq m^-3 and 1.8±0.8 mBq m^-3 respectively. For both 7Be and ^210pb, there are significant short-term and seasonal variations with a commonly low value in summer （May-September） and a monthly maximum in April （for ^7Be） and in December （for ^210pb）. The ratio of ^7Be/^210pb showed a broad maximum extending from April to July, coinciding with a seasonal peak in surface ozone （O3）. The seasonal cycles of ^7Be and ^210pb activities were greatly influenced by precipitation and thermal dynamical conditions over the boundary layer, especially for ^210Pb. The vertical mixing process between the boundary layer and the aloft air modulates the variations of ^7Be and ^210pb at WO in summer. It is indicated that air mass had longer residence time and originated from higher altitudes at WO in the spring-summer time and the winter in 2003. During an event with extremely high weeklyaveraged ^7Be concentration （24.8 mBq m^-3） together with high O3 levels and low water mixing ratio, we found that air masses had been convectively transported a long distance to WO from high latitude source regions in central Asia, where significant subsiding motions were observed. In another case with the extreme ^210pb activity of 5.7 mBq m^-3 high CO2 level and specific humidity （in winter）, air masses had come from south China and north Indian regions where 222Rn activities were high. This study, using ^7Be and ^210pb as atmospheric tracers, has revealed that complex interactions of convective mixing from the upper troposphere and long-range transports exist at WO.

A modeling study of effective radiative forcing and climate response due to increased methane concentration

An atmospheric general circulation model BCC_AGCM2.0 and observation data from ARIS were used to calculate the effective radiative forcing（ERF） due to increased methane concentration since pre-industrial times and its impacts on climate. The ERF of methane from 1750 to2011 was 0.46 W m^-2 by taking it as a well-mixed greenhouse gas, and the inhomogeneity of methane increased its ERF by about 0.02 W m^-2.The change of methane concentration since pre-industrial led to an increase of 0.31 ℃ in global mean surface air temperature and 0.02 mm d 1in global mean precipitation. The warming was prominent over the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere（with a maximum increase exceeding 1.4℃）. The precipitation notably increased（maximum increase of 1.8 mm d^-1） over the ocean between 10°N and 20° N and significantly decreased（maximum decrease 〉-0.6 mm d^-1） between 10° S and 10° N. These changes caused a northward movement of precipitation cell in the Intertropical Convergence Zone（ITCZ）. Cloud cover significantly increased（by approximately 4%） in the high latitudes in both hemispheres, and sharply decreased（by approximately 3%） in tropical areas.

Some reflections on researches of Future Earth changes in air quality and climate

Within the context of our current research and understanding of climate change,decisionmakers are particularly concerned with the extent of future climate change,its comprehensive impact,and the types of socioeconomic pathways available with respect to mitigation and adaptation.Among the factors contributing to these important issues,the role of air pollution in global and regional climate warming remains as one of the largest uncertainties.On the basis of understanding of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report,specifically,in the role of air pollution in climate change,scenarios establishment,and relationship between the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways(SSPs) and Representative Concentration Pathways(RCPs).Weaknesses and reflections were discussed here especially in strengthening impact,adaptation and mitigation research that related with changes in air pollution and climate.In the future,there are needs to in-depth understand how and why the air pollution in China is so serious and changing; to understand the likely future changes in air pollution and climate; to strengthen comprehensive impact research and selective reduction strategies related to changes in air pollution and climate.Furthermore,this study outlines the needs to develop strategies to close the loop of differential impacts and costs; to establish co-benefits and sustainable development goals,to identify the crucial risks and options for synergies/trade-offs; to integrate sector-specific details with macro-economics,and to integrate the assessments of the various policy instruments.All these focus areas will help to facilitate the transition of economic development patterns towards green and low-carbon development.

Application of a Neural Network to Store and Compute the Optical Properties of Non-Spherical Particles

Radiative transfer simulations and remote sensing studies fundamentally require accurate and efficient computation of the optical properties of non-spherical particles.This paper proposes a deep learning(DL)scheme in conjunction with an optical property database to achieve this goal.Deep neural network(DNN)architectures were obtained from a dataset of the optical properties of super-spheroids with extensive shape parameters,size parameters,and refractive indices.The dataset was computed through the invariant imbedding T-matrix method.Four separate DNN architectures were created to compute the extinction efficiency factor,single-scattering albedo,asymmetry factor,and phase matrix.The criterion for designing these neural networks was the achievement of the highest prediction accuracy with minimal DNN parameters.The numerical results demonstrate that the determination coefficients are greater than 0.999 between the prediction values from the neural networks and the truth values from the database,which indicates that the DNN can reproduce the optical properties in the dataset with high accuracy.In addition,the DNN model can robustly predict the optical properties of particles with high accuracy for shape parameters or refractive indices that are unavailable in the database.Importantly,the ratio of the database size(~127 GB)to that of the DNN parameters(~20 MB)is approximately 6810,implying that the DNN model can be treated as a highly compressed database that can be used as an alternative to the original database for real-time computing of the optical properties of non-spherical particles in radiative transfer and atmospheric models.

Observation and analysis of near-surface atmospheric aerosol optical properties in urban Beijing

Year-round measurements of the mass concentration and optical properties of fine aerosols （PM2s） from June 2009 to May 2010 at an urban site in Beijing were analyzed. The annual mean values of the PM2.5 mass concentration, absorption coefficient （Ab）, scattering coefficient （Sc） and single scattering albedo （SSA） at 525 nm were 67 ± 66 μg/m^3, 64 ± 62 Mm^-1, 360±405 Mm^-1 and 0.82±0.09, respectively. The bulk mass absorption efficiency and scattering efficiency of the PM2.5 at 525 nm were 0.78 m^2/g and 5.55 m^2]g, respectively. The Ab and Sc showed a similar diurnal variation with a maximum at night and a minimum in the afternoon, whereas SSA displayed an opposite diurnal pattern. Significant increases in the Ab and Sc were observed in pollution episodes caused by the accumulation of pollutants from both local and regional sources under unfavorable weather conditions. Aerosol loadings in dust events increased by several times in the spring, which had limited effects on the Ab and Sc due to the low absorption and scattering efficiency of dust particles. The frequency of haze days was the highest in autumn because of the high aerosol absorption and scattering under unfavorable weather conditions. The daily PM2.5 concentration should be controlled to a level lower than 64 μg/m^3 to prevent the occurrence of haze days according to its exponentially decreased relationship with visibility.

Aerosol Optical Properties and Its Radiative Forcing over Yulin, China in 2001 and 2002

The aerosol optical properties and direct radiative forcing over the Mu Us desert of northern China, acquired through a CE318 sunphotometer of the ground-based Aerosol Robotic Network （AERONET）, are analyzed. The seasonal variations in the aerosol optical properties are examined. The effect of meteorological elements （pressure, temperature, water vapor pressure, relative humidity and wind speed） on the aerosol optical properties is also studied. Then, the sources and optical properties under two different cases, a dust event and a pollution event, are compared. The results show that the high aerosol optical depth （AOD） found in Yulin was mostly attributed to the occurrence of dust events in spring from the Mu Us desert and deserts of West China and Mongolia, as well as the impacts of anthropogenic pollutant particles from the middle part of China in the other seasons. The seasonal variation and the probability distribution of the radiative forcing and the radiative forcing efficiency at the surface and the top of the atmosphere are analyzed and regressed using the linear and Gaussian regression methods.

Key features of new particle formation events at background sites in China and their influence on cloud condensation nuclei

Long-term continuous measurements of particle number size distributions with mobility diameter sizes ranging from 3 to 800 nm were pertbrmed to study new particle formation （NPF） events at Shangdianzi （SDZ）, Mt. Tai （TS）, and Lin＇an （LAN） stations representing the background atmospheric conditions in the North China Plain （NCP） Central East China （CEC） and Yangtze River Delta （YRD） regions, respectively. The mean formation rate of 3-nm particles was 6.3, 3.7, and 5.8 cm -3 .s-1, and the mean particle growth rate was 3.6, 6.0, and 6.2 nm. h at SDZ, TS, and LAN, respectively. The NPF, event characteristics at the three sites indicate that there may be a stronger source of low volatile vapors and higher condensational sink of pre-existing particles in the YRD region. The formation rate of NPF events at these sites, as well as the condensation sink, is approximately 10 times higher than some results reported at rural/urban sites in western countries. However, the growth rates appear to be 1 2 times higher. Approximately 12%-17% of all NPF events with nucleated particles grow to a climate- relevant size （〉50 nm）. These kinds of NPF events were normally observed with higher growth rate than the other NPF cases. Generally, the cloud condensation nuclei （CCN） number concentration can be enhanced by approximately a factor of 2 6 on these event days. The mean value of the enhancement factor is lowest at LAN （2-3） and highest at SDZ （-4）. NPF events have also been found to have greater impact on CCN production in China at the regional scale than in the other background sites worldwide.

Research Progress on Estimation of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height

Atmospheric boundary layer height(ABLH)is an important parameter used to depict characteristics of the planetary boundary layer(PBL)in the lower troposphere.The ABLH is strongly associated with the vertical distributions of heat,mass,and energy in the PBL,and it is a key quantity in numerical simulation of the PBL and plays an essential role in atmospheric environmental assessment.In this paper,various definitions and methods for deriving and estimating the ABLH are summarized,from the perspectives of turbulent motion,PBL dynamics and thermodynamics,and distributions of various substances in the PBL.Different methods for determining the ABLH by means of direct observation and remote sensing retrieval are reviewed,and comparisons of the advantages and disadvantages of these methods are presented.The paper also summarizes the ABLH parameterization schemes,discusses current problems in the estimation of ABLH,and finally points out the directions for possible future breakthroughs in the ABLHrelated research and application.

Pollution levels, composition characteristics and sources of atmospheric PM2.5 in a rural area of the North China Plain during winter

The pollution levels,composition characteristics and sources of atmospheric PM2.5 were investigated based on field measurement at a rural site in the North China Plain(NCP) from pre-heating period to heating period in winter of 2017.The hourly average concentrations of PM2.5 frequently exceeded 150 μg/m3 and even achieved 400 μg/m3,indicating that the PM2.5pollution was still very serious despite the implementation of stricter control measures in the rural area.Compared with the pre-heating period,the mean concentrations of organic carbon(OG),element carbon(EC) and chlorine ion(Cl-) during the heating period increased by 20.8%,36.6% and 38.8%,accompanying with increments of their proportions in PM2.5from 37.5%,9.8% and 5.5% to 42.9%,12.7% and 7.2%,respectively.The significant increase of both their concentrations and proportions during the heating period was mainly ascribed to the residential coal combustion.The proportions of sulfate,nitrate and ammonium respectively increased from 9.9%,10.9% and 9.0% in nighttime to 13.8%,16.2% and 11.1% in daytime,implying that the daytime photochemical reactions made remarkable contributions to the secondary inorganic aerosols.The simulation results from WRF-Chem revealed that the emission of residential coal combustion in the rural area was underestimated by the current emission inventory.Six sources identified by positive matrix factorization(PMF) based on the measurement were residential coal combustion,secondary formation of inorganic aerosols,biomass burning,vehicle emission and raising dust,contributing to atmospheric PM2.5 of 40.5%,21.2%,16.4%,10.8%,8.6% and 2.5%,respectively.

RO_(x) Budgets and O_(3) Formation during Summertime at Xianghe Suburban Site in the North China Plain

Photochemical smog characterized by high concentrations of ozone(O_(3)) is a serious air pollution issue in the North China Plain(NCP)region,especially in summer and autumn.For this study,measurements of O_(3),nitrogen oxides(NO_(x)),volatile organic compounds(VOCs),carbon monoxide(CO),nitrous acid(HONO),and a number of key physical parameters were taken at a suburban site,Xianghe,in the NCP region during the summer of 2018 in order to better understand the photochemical processes leading to O_(3)formation and find an optimal way to control O_(3)pollution.Here,the radical chemistry and O_(3)photochemical budget based on measurement data from 1−23 July using a chemical box model is investigated.The daytime(0600−1800 LST)average production rate of the primary radicals referred to as RO_(x)(OH+HO2+RO2)is 3.9 ppbv h−1.HONO photolysis is the largest primary RO_(x)source(41%).Reaction of NO2+OH is the largest contributor to radical termination(41%),followed by reactions of RO2+NO2(26%).The average diurnal maximum O_(3)production and loss rates are 32.9 ppbv h−1 and 4.3 ppbv h−1,respectively.Sensitivity tests without the HONO constraint lead to decreases in daytime average primary RO_(x)production by 55%and O_(3)photochemical production by 42%,highlighting the importance of accurate HONO measurements when quantifying the RO_(x)budget and O_(3)photochemical production.Considering heterogeneous reactions of trace gases and radicals on aerosols,aerosol uptake of HO2 contributes 11%to RO_(x)sink,and the daytime average O_(3)photochemical production decreases by 14%.The O_(3)-NO_(x)-VOCs sensitivity shows that the O_(3)production at Xianghe during the investigation period is mainly controlled by VOCs.

Large potential of strengthening the land carbon sink in China through anthropogenic interventions

The terrestrial ecosystem in China mitigates 21%-45%of the national contemporary fossil fuel CO_(2) emissions every year.Maintaining and strengthening the land carbon sink is essential for reaching China’s target of carbon neutrality.However,this sink is subject to large uncertainties due to the joint impacts of climate change,air pollution,and human activities.Here,we explore the potential of strengthening land carbon sink in China through anthropogenic interventions,including forestation,ozone reduction,and litter removal,taking advantage of a well-validated dynamic vegetation model and meteorological forcings from 16 climate models.Without anthropogenic interventions,considering Shared Socioeconomic Pathways(SSP)scenarios,the land sink is projected to be 0.26-0.56 Pg C a^(-1) at 2060,to which climate change contributes 0.06-0.13 Pg C a^(-1) and CO_(2) fertilization contributes 0.08-0.44 Pg C a^(-1) with the stronger effects for higher emission scenarios.With anthropogenic interventions,under a close-to-neutral emission scenario(SSP1-2.6),the land sink becomes 0.47-0.57 Pg C a^(-1) at 2060,including the contributions of 0.12 Pg C a^(-1) by conservative forestation,0.07 Pg C a^(-1) by ozone pollution control,and 0.06-0.16 Pg C a^(-1) by 20%litter removal over planted forest.This sink can mitigate 90%-110% of the residue anthropogenic carbon emissions in 2060,providing a solid foundation for the carbon neutrality in China.

Sorely reducing emissions of non-methane short-lived climate forcers will worsen compound flood-heatwave extremes in the Northern Hemisphere

Non-methane short-lived climate forcer(SLCF)or near-term climate forcer(NTCF)emissions,as a significant driver of climate change,can be reduced to improve air quality.These reductions may contribute to additional warming of the climate system in the short term,thereby strongly affecting the likelihood of climate extremes.However,there has been no quantitative assessment of the impact of non-methane SLCF mitigation on compound flood-heatwave extremes(CFHEs).This study quantitatively investigates the changes in future(2031-2050 versus 1995-2014)CFHEs and the resulting population exposure in the Northern Hemisphere(NH)due to non-methane SLCF reductions.We used multi-model ensemble simulations under two future scenarios from the Aerosol and Chemistry Model Intercomparison Project(AerChemMIP)in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6).The two future scenarios share the same greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions but have weak(Shared Socioeconomic Pathway(SSP)3-7.0)versus strong(SSP3-7.0-lowNTCF)levels of air quality control measures.The results show that future non-methane SLCF reductions during 2031-2050 results in about a 7.3%±2.3%increase in grid exposure to CFHEs in the NH relative to the period 1995-2014.The frequency,intensity,and duration of CFHEs increase by varying degrees.During the period 2031-2050,the frequency of CFHEs across the NH increases by 2.9±0.9 events per decade due to non-methane SLCF reductions.The increases in CFHE frequency are more pronounced in East Asia,South Asia,Siberia,and northern and eastern North America.In East and South Asia,the in-tensities of both heatwaves and floods corresponding to CFHEs increase markedly,where heatwave magnitude(HWM)increases by 0.3±0.2 K in East Asia and weighted average precipitation(WAP)increases by 18.3%±15.3%and 12.0%±4.5%in East Asia and South Asia,respectively.In other regions,rising temperatures dominate the increase in CFHEs.With regard to the duration of CFHEs,future reductions in non-methane SLCFs increases the duration of CFHEs in the NH by O.3±0.1 d.Regionally,the sensitivity of CFHE frequency to global warming caused by non-methane SLCF mitigation is 1.2-1.9 times higher than that caused by GHG forcing.Non-methane SLCFs results in NH-averaged increases in population exposure to CFHEs of(5.0±2.0)×10^(5)person·event in the period 2031-2050.This study emphasizes the importance of considering the impacts of cleaner air in future responses to compound extremes and corresponding societal planning.

Direct assimilation of simulated radar reflectivity for typhoon In-fa using EnKF:Issue with state variables updating

Using a convective scale WRF-GSI system and a reflectivity observation operator based on the double-moment microphysics(Thompson)scheme,simulated radar reflectivity data are produced and then directly assimilated with EnKF through Observing System Simulation Experi-ments(OSSEs)for the case of typhoon In-Fa(2021).We examined the ability of the EnKF to simultaneously estimate state variables and conducted sensitivity tests to evaluate the impact of updating different state variables.The results show that updating a full set of analysis variables can help obtain highly precise initialfields in the model and improve typhoon forecast skills.Excluding the horizontal wind update will affect the adjustment of the temperaturefield and the sea level pressurefield during the cyclic assimilation process.Updating the variables directly related to the reflectivity operator alone could adjust hydrometers well,but the positive impact arising from the assimilation quickly vanishes during the forecast.In addition,this study also includes a quantitative RMSE analysis for each variable during the assimilation cycle and compares the effect of each schemes on different variables.

Relative Contributions of Boundary-Layer Meteorological Factors to the Explosive Growth of PM2.5 during the Red-Alert Heavy Pollution Episodes in Beijing in December 2016

Based on observations of urban mass concentration of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter （PM2.5）, ground meteorological data, vertical measurements of winds, temperature, and relative humidity （RH）, and ECMWF reanalysis data, the major changes in the vertical structures of meteorological factors in the boundary layer （BL） during the heavy aerosol pollution episodes （HPEs） that occurred in winter 2016 in the urban Beijing area were analyzed. The HPEs are divided into two stages： the transport of pollutants under prevailing southerly winds, known as the transport stage （TS）, and the PM2.5 explosive growth and pollution accumulation period characterized by a temperature inversion with low winds and high RH in the lower BL, known as the cumulative stage （CS）. During the TS, a surface high lies south of Beijing, and pollutants are transported northwards. During the CS, a stable BL forms and is characterized by weak winds, temperature inversion, and moisture accumulation. Stable atmospheric stratifica- tion featured with light/calm winds and accumulated moisture （RH 〉 80%） below 250 m at the beginning of the CS is closely associated with the inversion, which is strengthened by the considerable decrease in near-surface air temperat- ure due to the interaction between aerosols and radiation after the aerosol pollution occurs. A significant increase in the PLAM （Parameter Linking Aerosol Pollution and Meteorological Elements） index is found, which is linearly re- lated to PM mass change. During the first 10 h of the CS, the more stable BL contributes approximately 84% of the explosive growth of PM2.5 mass. Additional accumulated near-surface moisture caused by the ground temperature de- crease, weak turbulent diffusion, low BL height, and inhibited vertical mixing of water vapor is conducive to the sec- ondary aerosol formation through chemical reactions, including liquid phase and heterogeneous reactions, which fur- ther increases the PM2.5 concentration levels. The contribution of these reaction mechanisms to the explosive growth of PM2,5 mass during the early CS and subsequent pollution accumulation requires further investigation.

Evolution of boundary layer ozone in Shijiazhuang,a suburban site on the North China Plain

The structure of the boundary layer affects the evolution of ozone(O3), and research into this structure will provide important insights for understanding photochemical pollution.In this study, we conducted a one-month observation(from June 15 to July 14, 2016) of the boundary layer meteorological factors as well as O3 and its precursors in Luancheng County,Shijiazhuang(37°53′N, 114°38′E). Our research showed that photochemical pollution in Shijiazhuang is serious, and the mean hourly maximum and mean 8-hr maximum O3 concentrations are 97.9 ± 26.1 and 84.4 ± 22.4 ppbV, respectively. Meteorological factors play a significant role in the formation of O3. High temperatures and southeasterly winds lead to elevated O3 values, and at moderate relative humidity(40%–50%) and medium boundary layer heights(1200–1500 m), O3 production sensitivity occurred in the transitional region between volatile organic compounds(VOC) and nitrogen oxides(NOx) limitations,and the O3 concentration was the highest. The vertical profiles of O3 were also measured by a tethered balloon. The results showed that a large amount of O3 was stored in the residual layer, and the concentration was positively correlated with the O3 concentration measured the previous day. During the daytime of the following day, the contribution of O3 stored in the residual layer to the boundary layer reached 27%± 7% on average.

Estimation and inter-comparison of dust aerosols based on MODIS, MISR and AERONET retrievals over Asian desert regions

This study presents detailed analysis of spatiotemporal variations and trend of dust optical properties i.e., Aerosol Optical Depth(AOD) and Angstrom component over Asian desert regions using thirteen years of data(i.e., 2001–2013) retrieved from Aerosol Robotic Network(AERONET), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer(MISR). These regions include Solar Village, Dunhuang and Dalangzadgad and are considered as origin of desert aerosols in Asia. Mann–Kendall trend test was used to show the trend of AOD. The relationship of AOD with weather parameters and general AOD trend over different wavelengths has also been shown. AOD's trend has been observed significant throughout the year in Solar Village, while in Dunhuang and Dalanzadgad the significant trend has been found only in peak period(March–June).Analysis show high values of AOD and low values of angstrom in Solar Village during peak period. In Chinese desert regions, high values of AOD have been found during peak period and low values in pre-peak period. Significant relationship has been observed between AOD and average temperature in Solar Village and Dalanzadgad whereas rainfall and wind speed showed no significant impact on AOD in all desert regions.

Aerosol Hygroscopicity during the Haze Red-Alert Period in December 2016 at a Rural Site of the North China Plain

A humidification system was deployed to measure aerosol hygroscopicity at a rural site of the North China Plain during the haze red-alert period 17–22 December 2016. The aerosol scattering coefficients under dry [relative humidity（RH） 〈 30%] and wet（RH in the range of 40%–85%） conditions were simultaneously measured at wavelengths of450, 550, and 700 nm. It is found that the aerosol scattering coefficient and backscattering coefficient increased by only 29% and 10%, respectively when RH went up from 40% to 80%, while the hemispheric backscatter fraction went down by 14%, implying that the aerosol hygroscopicity represented by the aerosol scattering enhancement factor f（RH） is relatively low and RH exerted little effects on the aerosol light scattering in this case. The scattering enhancement factors do not show significant differences at the three wavelengths, only with an approximate 2% variation, suggesting that the aerosol hygroscopicity is independent of the wavelength. Aerosol hygroscopicity is highly dependent on the aerosol chemical composition. When there is a large mass fraction of inorganics and a small mass fraction of organic matter, f（RH） reaches a high value. The fraction of NO3^- was strongly correlated with the aerosol scattering coefficient at RH = 80%, which suggests that NO3^- played an important role in aerosol hygroscopic growth during the heavy pollution period.

Source characteristics of O_3 and CO_2 at Mt. Waliguan Observatory,Tibetan Plateau implied by using ~7Be and ^(210)Pb

The weekly averages of near-surface ^7Be, ^210pb, 03, and CO2 concentrations at the Global Atmospheric Watch Observatory, Mt. Waliguan （101.98°E, 36.287°N, 3810 m a.s.l.）, from October 2002 to January 2004 are presented. With the establishment of the new datasets of DCCW （Differential Concentrations in Contiguous Weeks） of ^7Be,^210pb, and O3, CO2 （△^7Be, △^210pb, △O3, △CO2, respectively, the impacts of upper-level downward transports and land-surface emissions on O3 and CO2 concentrations are implied by ^7Be and ^210pb being as independent tracers. The relations among △^7Be, △^210pb, and △O3, △CO2 are examined statistically and compared. The results indicate that with the DCCWs, the interferences with the tracing significance of ^7Be and ^210Pb from the seasonal wet scavenging of atmospheric aerosol are greatly reduced, and the weighting sources of O3 or CO2 variations are more pronounced. Basically, the variability of surface O3 is controlled predominately by air mass transported from the upper atmosphere levels while the emission from the Continent Boundary Layer （CBL） has an obvious input for CO2. The relation between △^210pb and △O3 reflects that influences of CBL emission are generally positive/negative for surface O3 budget in summer/winter, and the relation of △^7Be and △CO2 also reveals that upper level downward transport has positive/negative inputs for CO2 in summer/winter. With the highly correlated relations between ^7Be and O3, a quantitative estimation is made of the stratospheric contributions to the budget of surface O3 at WLG： the monthly averages of stratospheric O3 range from 6 ×10^-9 to 8 ×10^-9 （volume mixing ratio） in April and from June to August, and 2 ×10^-9 to 4 ×10^-9 in the remaining months. For the ultimate sources of the baseline concentration of surface 03, which consist of only stratospheric transport and tropospheric photochemistry production, the contribution from stratospheric transport is estimated to be about 20 ×10^-9 from May to July, and （12-15） ×10^-9 in the remaining months, and the total relative contribution rate is about 35% to 40%.