Air Pollution and Weather Interaction in East Asia

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aijun Ding ◽  
Xin Huang ◽  
Congbin Fu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Coupled Processes ◽  
Synoptic Weather ◽  
Boundary Layer Dynamics

Air pollution is one of the grand environmental challenges in developing countries, especially those with high population density like China. High concentrations of primary and secondary trace gases and particulate matter (PM) are frequently observed in the industrialized and urbanized regions, causing negative effects on the health of humans, plants, and the ecosystem. Meteorological conditions are among the most important factors influencing day-to-day air quality. Synoptic weather and boundary layer dynamics control the dispersion capacity and transport of air pollutants, while the main meteorological parameters, such as air temperature, radiation, and relative humidity, influence the chemical transformation of secondary air pollutants at the same time. Intense air pollution, especially high concentration of radiatively important aerosols, can substantially influence meteorological parameters, boundary layer dynamics, synoptic weather, and even regional climate through their strong radiative effects. As one of the main monsoon regions, with the most intense human activities in the world, East Asia is a region experiencing complex air pollution, with sources from anthropogenic fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, dust storms, and biogenic emissions. A mixture of these different plumes can cause substantial two-way interactions and feedbacks in the formation of air pollutants under various weather conditions. Improving the understanding of such interactions needs more field measurements using integrated multiprocess measurement platforms, as well as more efforts in developing numerical models, especially for those with online coupled processes. All these efforts are very important for policymaking from the perspectives of environmental protection and mitigation of climate change.

Changes of air pollutants’ concentrations in selected Romanian cities during the pandemic year 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Iorga ◽  
George-Bogdan Burghelea
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Air Mass

<p>Present research contributes to scientific knowledge concerning spatial and temporal variation of major air pollutants with high resolution at the country scale bringing statistical information on concentrations of NOx, O<sub>3</sub>, CO, SO<sub>2</sub> and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm (PM<sub>10</sub>) and below 2.5 μm (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) during the pandemic year 2020 using an observational data set from the Romanian National Air Quality Network in seven selected cities spread out over the country. These cities have different level of development, play regional roles, might have potential influence at European scale and they are expected to be impacted by different pollution sources. Among them, three cities (Bucharest, Brașov, Iași) appear frequently on the list of the European Commission with reference to the infringement procedure that the European Commission launched against Romania in the period 2007-2020 regarding air quality.</p><p>Air pollutant data was complemented with local meteorological parameters at each site (atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, temperature, global solar radiation, wind speed and direction). Statistics of air pollutants provide us with an overview of air pollution in main Romanian cities.  Correlations between meteorological parameters and ambient pollutant levels were analyzed. Lowest air pollution levels were measured during the lockdown period in spring, as main traffic and non-essential activities were severely restricted. Among exceptions were the construction activities that were not interrupted. During 2020, some of selected cities experienced few pollution episodes which were due to dust transport from Sahara desert. However, in Bucharest metropolitan area, some cases with high pollution level were found correlated with local anthropogenic activity namely, waste incinerations. Air mass origins were investigated for 72 hours back by computing the air mass backward trajectories using the HYSPLIT model. Dust load and spatial distribution of the aerosol optical depth with BSC-DREAM8b v2.0 and NMBM/BSC-Dust models showed the area with dust particles transport during the dust events.</p><p>The obtained results are important for investigations of sources of air pollution and for modeling of air quality.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Acknowledgment:</strong></p><p>The research leading to these results has received funding from the NO Grants 2014-2021, under Project contract no. 31/2020, EEA-RO-NO-2019-0423 project. NOAA Air Resources Laboratory for HYSPLIT transport model, available at READY website https://www.ready.noaa.gov  and the Barcelona dust forecast center for BSC-DREAM8b and NMBM/BSC-Dust models, available at:  https://ess.bsc.es/bsc-dust-daily-forecast are also acknowledged. The data regarding ground-based air pollution and meteorology by site was extracted from the public available Romanian National Air Quality Database, www.calitateaer.ro.</p>

scholarly journals Quantifying pollution inflow and outflow over East Asia in spring with regional and global models

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4221-4239 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lin ◽  
T. Holloway ◽  
G. R. Carmichael ◽  
A. M. Fiore
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regional Model ◽  
Global Model ◽  
Global Models ◽  
High Resolution Models

Abstract. Understanding the exchange processes between the atmospheric boundary layer and the free troposphere is crucial for estimating hemispheric transport of air pollution. Most studies of hemispheric air pollution transport have taken a large-scale perspective using global chemical transport models with fairly coarse spatial and temporal resolutions. In support of United Nations Task Force on Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (TF HTAP; www.htap.org), this study employs two high-resolution atmospheric chemistry models (WRF-Chem and CMAQ; 36×36 km) driven with chemical boundary conditions from a global model (MOZART; 1.9×1.9°) to examine the role of fine-scale transport and chemistry processes in controlling pollution export and import over the Asian continent in spring (March 2001). Our analysis indicates the importance of rapid venting through deep convection that develops along the leading edge of frontal system convergence bands, which are not adequately resolved in either of two global models compared with TRACE-P aircraft observations during a frontal event. Both regional model simulations and observations show that frontal outflows of CO, O3 and PAN can extend to the upper troposphere (6–9 km). Pollution plumes in the global MOZART model are typically diluted and insufficiently lofted to higher altitudes where they can undergo more efficient transport in stronger winds. We use sensitivity simulations that perturb chemical boundary conditions in the CMAQ regional model to estimate that the O3 production over East Asia (EA) driven by PAN decomposition contributes 20% of the spatial averaged total O3 response to European (EU) emission perturbations in March, and occasionally contributes approximately 50% of the total O3 response in subsiding plumes at mountain observatories (at approximately 2 km altitude). The response to decomposing PAN of EU origin is strongly affected by the O3 formation chemical regimes, which vary with the model chemical mechanism and NOx/VOC emissions. Our high-resolution models demonstrate a large spatial variability (by up to a factor of 6) in the response of local O3 to 20% reductions in EU anthropogenic O3 precursor emissions. The response in the highly populated Asian megacities is 40–50% lower in our high-resolution models than the global model, suggesting that the source-receptor relationships inferred from the global coarse-resolution models likely overestimate health impacts associated with intercontinental O3 transport. Our results highlight the important roles of rapid convective transport, orographic forcing, urban photochemistry and heterogeneous boundary layer processes in controlling intercontinental transport; these processes may not be well resolved in the large-scale models.

scholarly journals The role of meteorological conditions and pollution control strategies in reducing air pollution in Beijing during APEC 2014 and Victory Parade 2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 13921-13940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Liang ◽  
Tong Zhu ◽  
Yanhua Fang ◽  
Yingruo Li ◽  
Yiqun Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Concentrations ◽  
Air Pollutant Concentrations

Abstract. To control severe air pollution in China, comprehensive pollution control strategies have been implemented throughout the country in recent years. To evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies, the influence of meteorological conditions on levels of air pollution needs to be determined. Using the intensive air pollution control strategies implemented during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2014 (APEC 2014) and the 2015 China Victory Day Parade (Victory Parade 2015) as examples, we estimated the role of meteorological conditions and pollution control strategies in reducing air pollution levels in Beijing. Atmospheric particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter  ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) samples were collected and gaseous pollutants (SO2, NO, NOx, and O3) were measured online at a site in Peking University (PKU). To determine the influence of meteorological conditions on the levels of air pollution, we first compared the air pollutant concentrations during days with stable meteorological conditions. However, there were few days with stable meteorological conditions during the Victory Parade. As such, we were unable to estimate the level of emission reduction efforts during this period. Finally, a generalized linear regression model (GLM) based only on meteorological parameters was built to predict air pollutant concentrations, which could explain more than 70 % of the variation in air pollutant concentration levels, after incorporating the nonlinear relationships between certain meteorological parameters and the concentrations of air pollutants. Evaluation of the GLM performance revealed that the GLM, even based only on meteorological parameters, could be satisfactory to estimate the contribution of meteorological conditions in reducing air pollution and, hence, the contribution of control strategies in reducing air pollution. Using the GLM, we found that the meteorological conditions and pollution control strategies contributed 30 and 28 % to the reduction of the PM2.5 concentration during APEC and 38 and 25 % during the Victory Parade, respectively, based on the assumption that the concentrations of air pollutants are only determined by meteorological conditions and emission intensities. We also estimated the contribution of meteorological conditions and control strategies in reducing the concentrations of gaseous pollutants and PM2.5 components with the GLMs, revealing the effective control of anthropogenic emissions.

scholarly journals Rapid formation of intense haze episode in Beijing

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonghong Wang ◽  
Yuesi Wang ◽  
Guiqian Tang ◽  
Tao Song ◽  
Putian Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Feedback Mechanism ◽  
Quality Models ◽  
Rapid Formation ◽  
Haze Episode

Abstract. Although much efforts have been put on studying air pollution, our knowledge on the mechanisms of frequently occurred intense haze episodes in China is still limited. In this study, using three years of measurements of air pollutants at three different height levels on a 325-meter Beijing meteorology tower, we found that a positive particulate matter-boundary layer feedback mechanism existed at three vertical observation heights during intense haze polluted periods within the mixing layer. This feedback was characterized by a higher loading of PM2.5 with a shallower mixing layer. Measurements showed that the feedback was related to the decrease of solar radiation, turbulent kinetic energy and thereby suppression of the mixing layer. The feedback mechanism can explain the rapid formation of intense haze episodes to some extent, and we suggest that the feedback mechanism should be considered in air quality models for better predictions.

scholarly journals Influence of Meteorological Variables on Ambient Air Pollutants of a Coastal District in Eastern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-203
Author(s):  
SS Kalikinkar Mahanta ◽  
Sharada Shrinivas Patil ◽  
Bhagirathi Mahanta ◽  
Kushalindu Biswas ◽  
Rojalin Sahu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Air Pollution Index ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

The study of various air pollutants and meteorological parameters are very important for all the researchers. Baleswar was known to be a seaside Districts of Odisha which is the economic and cultural heart of Northern Odisha. The aim of this study is to measure the air pollutants, meteorological parameters and to enumerate the air pollution index at three specific sites (Sahadevkhunta, Mallikashpur, Rasalpur) according to CPCB procedures. The air pollutants analysed by supplying through specific absorbing reagents and the pollutants were analysed up to 3 year (2017, 2018 and 2019) with a regularity of thrice per week. Analyses of our data sets showing that SO2 and NO2 concentration during summer, rainy and winter season are within the prescribe standard of NAAQS by CPCB but PM10 and PM2.5 are above the prescribed standard except PM2.5 concentration of rainy season in year 2019. Air pollution index is remaining in the condition between clean air (CA) to moderate air pollution (MAP) and it shows that the pollution index in all the sites are reducing from the year 2017 to 2019 may be due to enhancing technologies to reduce the pollutant concentration in air.

scholarly journals Influence of air pollution and meteorological parameters on COVID-19: An overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-586
Author(s):  
Anbu Clemensis Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Virus Entry ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Defence Mechanism ◽  
Airborne Transport

The spread of Covid-19 has been rampant across the globe, and studies have indicated a connection between the spike in infection and air pollution. The literature review has shown that the link between the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the disease and air pollutants is still inconclusive. Current evidence from the studies point out two main contributing mechanisms for the spread of the virus: (1) the weakening of the human natural defence mechanism by the air pollutants facilitates virus entry and replication; (2) particulate matter facilitates the airborne transport of vectors. Meteorological parameters also play a significant role in the transmission of the virus. Ultraviolet radiation was negatively correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases, while wind speed was positively correlated. Temperature and humidity increases were associated with a decrease in the number of infections. Some studies have also shown no relationship between humidity and COVID-19 case numbers. Similarly, rainfall predominantly showed no significant correlation. More studies in this area are suggested to further understand the air pollutants effect on the virus, its interaction and the influence of meteorological parameters.

Effects of synoptic weather and boundary layer dynamics on aerosol formation in the continental boundary layer

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 600-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.D. Nilsson ◽  
Ü. Rannik ◽  
J. Paatero ◽  
M. Boy ◽  
C. O'Dowd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
Synoptic Weather ◽  
Boundary Layer Dynamics

scholarly journals Source contributions of sulfur and nitrogen deposition – an HTAP II multi model study on hemispheric transport

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiani Tan ◽  
Joshua S. Fu ◽  
Frank Dentener ◽  
Jian Sun ◽  
Louisa Emmons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
North America ◽  
East Asia ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
The North ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Abstract. With rising emissions by human activities, enhanced concentrations of air pollutants have been detected in hemispheric air flows in recent years, aggravating the regional air pollution and deposition burden. However, contributions of hemispheric air pollution to deposition at global scale have been given little attention in the literature. In this light, we assess the impact of hemispheric transport on sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition for 6 world regions: North America, Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Middle East and Russia in 2010, by using the multi-model ensemble results from the 2nd phase of Task Force Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (HTAP II) with and without 20 % emission perturbation experiments. About 27–58 %, 26–46 % and 12–23 % of local S, NOx and NH3 emissions are transported and removed by deposition outside of the source regions annually, with 5 % higher fraction of export in winter and 5 % lower in summer. For receptor regions, 20 % emission reduction in source regions affects the deposition in receptor regions by 1–10 % for continental non-coastal regions and 1–15 % for coastal regions and open oceans. Significant influences are found from North America to the North Atlantic Ocean (5–15 %), from South Asia to western East Asia (2–10 %) and from East Asia to the North Pacific Ocean (5–10 %) and western North America (5–8 %). The impact on deposition caused by transport between neighbouring regions (i.e. Europe and Russia) occurs throughout the whole year (slightly stronger in winter), while that by transport over long distances (i.e. from East Asia to North America) mainly takes place in spring and fall, which is consistent with the seasonality found for hemispheric transport of air pollutants. Deposition in emission intense regions such as East Asia is dominated (~ 80 %) by own region emission, while deposition in low emission regions such as Russia is almost equally affected by own region emission (~ 40 %) and foreign impact (~ 23–45 %). We also find that deposition on the coastal regions or near coastal open ocean is twice more sensitive to hemispheric transport than non-coastal continental regions, especially for regions (i.e. west coast of North America) in the downwind location of major emission source regions. This study highlights the significant impact of hemispheric transport on deposition in coastal regions, open ocean and low emission regions. Further research is proposed for improving ecosystem and human health in these regions, with regards to the enhanced hemispheric transport.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Influence of Meteorological Parameters on Ozone Concentration Levels

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.7) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Amina Nazif ◽  
Nurul Izma Mohammed ◽  
Amirhossein Malakahmad ◽  
Motasem S. Abualqumboz
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring Stations ◽  
Concentration Levels

Over the years, anthropogenic activities have led to the increase in air pollution concentration levels in the atmosphere, this persistent increase in pollution levels can be influenced by meteorological parameters. These parameters assist in the formation and transportation of air pollutants in the atmosphere. Hence, this study aims at evaluating the association between meteorological parameters and air pollutants. The analysis was carried out using Ozone (O3), Particulate matter (PM10), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction data from 2006 to 2010, from two industrial air quality monitoring stations. Stepwise regression (SR) analysis was used to assess the influence of meteorological parameters in accounting for the variability of O3 concentration levels. The SR analysis showed that meteorological parameters accounted for more than 50 % of O3 variability. It can be concluded that different relationship between meteorological parameters and O3 can exist in different locations in the same region.  

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