scholarly journals Impacts of East Asian summer and winter monsoons on interannual variations of mass concentrations and direct radiative forcing of black carbon over eastern China

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 4799-4816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hao Mao ◽  
Hong Liao ◽  
Hai-Shan Chen

Abstract. We applied a global three-dimensional chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) to examine the impacts of the East Asian monsoon on the interannual variations of mass concentrations and direct radiative forcing (DRF) of black carbon (BC) over eastern China (110–125° E, 20–45° N). With emissions fixed at the year 2010 levels, model simulations were driven by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-4) meteorological fields for 1986–2006 and the Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) meteorological fields for 1980–2010. During the period of 1986–2006, simulated June–July–August (JJA) and December–January–February (DJF) surface BC concentrations were higher in MERRA than in GEOS-4 by 0.30 µg m−3 (44 %) and 0.77 µg m−3 (54 %), respectively, because of the generally weaker precipitation in MERRA. We found that the strength of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM; East Asian winter monsoon, EAWM) negatively correlated with simulated JJA (DJF) surface BC concentrations (r = −0. 7 (−0.7) in GEOS-4 and −0.4 (−0.7) in MERRA), mainly by the changes in atmospheric circulation. Relative to the 5 strongest EASM years, simulated JJA surface BC concentrations in the 5 weakest monsoon years were higher over northern China (110–125° E, 28–45° N) by 0.04–0.09 µg m−3 (3–11 %), but lower over southern China (110–125° E, 20–27° N) by 0.03–0.04 µg m−3 (10–11 %). Compared to the 5 strongest EAWM years, simulated DJF surface BC concentrations in the 5 weakest monsoon years were higher by 0.13–0.15 µg m−3 (5–8 %) in northern China and by 0.04–0.10 µg m−3 (3–12 %) in southern China. The resulting JJA (DJF) mean all-sky DRF of BC at the top of the atmosphere was 0.04 W m−2 (3 %; 0.03 W m−2, 2 %) higher in northern China but 0.06 W m−2 (14 %; 0.03 W m−2, 3 %) lower in southern China. In the weakest monsoon years, the weaker vertical convection at the elevated altitudes led to the lower BC concentrations above 1–2 km in southern China, and therefore the lower BC DRF in the region. The differences in vertical profiles of BC between the weakest and strongest EASM years (1998–1997) and EAWM years (1990–1996) reached up to −0.09 µg m−3 (−46 %) and −0.08 µg m−3 (−11 %) at 1–2 km in eastern China.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Hao Mao ◽  
Hong Liao

Abstract. We applied a global three-dimensional chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) to examine the impacts of the East Asian monsoon on the interannual variations of mass concentrations and direct radiative forcing (DRF) of black carbon (BC) over eastern China (110–125° E, 20–45° N). With emissions fixed at the year 2010 levels, model simulations were driven by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-4) meteorological fields for 1986–2006 and the Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) meteorological fields for 1980–2010. During the period of 1986–2006, simulated JJA and DJF surface BC concentrations were higher in MERRA than in GEOS-4 by 0.30 µg m−3 (44 %) and 0.77 µg m−3 (54 %), respectively, because of the generally weaker precipitation in MERRA. We found that the strength of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM, (East Asian winter monsoon, EAWM)) negatively correlated with simulated JJA (DJF) surface BC concentrations (r = –0.7 (–0.7) in GEOS-4 and –0.4 (–0.7) in MERRA), mainly by the changes in atmospheric circulation. Relative to the five strongest EASM years, simulated JJA surface BC concentrations in the five weakest monsoon years were higher over northern China (110–125° E, 28–45° N) by 0.04–0.09 µg m−3 (3–11 %), but lower over southern China (110–125° E, 20–27° N) by 0.03–0.04 µg m−3 (10–11 %). Compared to the five strongest EAWM years, simulated DJF surface BC concentrations in the five weakest monsoon years were higher by 0.13–0.15 µg m−3 (5–8 %) in northern China and by 0.04–0.10 µg m−3 (3–12 %) in southern China. The resulting JJA (DJF) mean all-sky DRF of BC at the top of the atmosphere were 0.04 W m−2 (3 %, (0.03 W m−2, 2 %)) higher in northern China but 0.06 W m−2 (14 %, (0.03 W m−2, 3 %)) lower in southern China. In the weakest monsoon years, the weaker vertical convection led to the lower BC concentrations above 1–2 km in southern China, and therefore the lower BC DRF in the region. The differences in vertical profiles of BC between the weakest and strongest EASM years (1998–1997) and EAWM years (1990–1996) reached up to –0.09 µg m−3 (–46 %) and –0.08 µg m−3 (–11 %) at 1–2 km in eastern China.



2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 12433-12450 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Wang ◽  
H. J. Wang ◽  
O. H. Otterå ◽  
Y. Q. Gao ◽  
L. L. Suo ◽  
...  

Abstract. Observation shows that eastern China experienced an interdecadal shift in the summer precipitation during the second half of the 20th century. The summer precipitation increased in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley, whereas it decreased in northern China. Here we use a coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model and multi-ensemble simulations to show that the interdecadal shift is mainly caused by the anthropogenic forcing. The rapidly increasing greenhouse gases induce a notable Indian Ocean warming, causing a westward shift of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and a southward displacement of the East Asia westerly jet (EAJ) on an interdecadal timescale, leading to more precipitation in Yangtze River valley. At the same time the surface cooling effects from the stronger convection, higher precipitation and rapidly increasing anthropogenic aerosols contribute to a reduced summer land–sea thermal contrast. Due to the changes in the WPSH, the EAJ and the land–sea thermal contrast, the East Asian summer monsoon weakened resulting in drought in northern China. Consequently, an anomalous precipitation pattern started to emerge over eastern China in the late 1970s. According to the model, the natural forcing played an opposite role in regulating the changes in WPSH and EAJ, and postponed the anthropogenically forced climate changes in eastern China. The Indian Ocean sea surface temperature is crucial to the response, and acts as a bridge to link the external forcings and East Asian summer climate together on a decadal and longer timescales. Our results further highlight the dominant roles of anthropogenic forcing agents in shaping interdecadal changes of the East Asian climate during the second half of the 20th century.



2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (22) ◽  
pp. 9367-9388 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Zhuang ◽  
S. Li ◽  
T. J. Wang ◽  
J. Liu ◽  
H. M. Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractBlack carbon aerosol (BC) has a significant influence on regional climate changes because of its warming effect. Such changes will feed back to BC loadings. Here, the interactions between the BC warming effect and the East Asian monsoon (EAM) in both winter (EAWM) and summer (EASM) are investigated using a regional climate model, RegCM4, that essentially captures the EAM features and the BC variations in China. The seasonal mean BC optical depth is 0.021 over East Asia during winter, which is 10.5% higher than that during summer. Nevertheless, the BC direct radiative forcing is 32% stronger during summer (+1.85 W m−2). The BC direct effect would induce lower air to warm by 0.11–0.12 K, which causes a meridional circulation anomaly associated with a cyclone at 20°–30°N and southerly anomalies at 850 hPa over East Asia. Consequently, the EAM circulation is weakened during winter but enhanced during summer. Precipitation is likely increased, especially in southern China during summer (by 3.73%). Relative to BC changes that result from EAM interannual variations, BC changes from its warming effect are as important but are weaker. BC surface concentrations are decreased by 1%–3% during both winter and summer, whereas the columnar BC is increased in south China during winter. During the strongest monsoon years, the BC loadings are higher at lower latitudes than those during the weakest years, resulting in more southerly meridional circulation anomalies and BC feedbacks during both winter and summer. However, the interactions between the BC warming effect and EAWM/EASM are more intense during the weakest monsoon years.



2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 11997-12032 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Wang ◽  
H. J. Wang ◽  
O. H. Otterå ◽  
Y. Q. Gao ◽  
L. L. Suo ◽  
...  

Abstract. Observation shows that eastern China has experienced an interdecadal shift in the summer precipitation during the second half of the 20th century. The summer precipitation increased in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley, whereas it decreased in northern China. Here we use a coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model and multi-ensemble simulations to show that the interdecadal shift is mainly caused by the combined effect of increasing global greenhouse gases and regional aerosol emissions over China. The rapidly increasing greenhouse gases induce tropical warming and a westward shift of the western Pacific subtropical high, leading to more precipitation in Yangtze River Valley. At the same time the aerosol cooling effect over land contributes to a reduced summer land–sea thermal contrast and therefore to a weakened East Asian summer monsoon and to drought in northern China. Consequently, an anomalous precipitation pattern starts to emerge in eastern China in late 1970s. Our results highlight the important role of anthropogenic forcing agents in shaping the weakened East Asian summer monsoon and associated anomalous precipitation in eastern China.



2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 4319-4336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Hailong Wang ◽  
Steven J. Smith ◽  
Po-Lun Ma ◽  
Philip J. Rasch

Abstract. The source attributions for mass concentration, haze formation, transport and direct radiative forcing of black carbon (BC) in various regions of China are quantified in this study using the Community Earth System Model (CESM) with a source-tagging technique. Anthropogenic emissions are from the Community Emissions Data System that is newly developed for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). Over north China where the air quality is often poor, about 90 % of near-surface BC concentration is contributed by local emissions. Overall, 35 % of BC concentration over south China in winter can be attributed to emissions from north China, and 19 % comes from sources outside China in spring. For other regions in China, BC is largely contributed from nonlocal sources. We further investigated potential factors that contribute to the poor air quality in China. During polluted days, a net inflow of BC transported from nonlocal source regions associated with anomalous winds plays an important role in increasing local BC concentrations. BC-containing particles emitted from East Asia can also be transported across the Pacific. Our model results show that emissions from inside and outside China are equally important for the BC outflow from East Asia, while emissions from China account for 8 % of BC concentration and 29 % in column burden in the western United States in spring. Radiative forcing estimates show that 65 % of the annual mean BC direct radiative forcing (2.2 W m−2) in China results from local emissions, and the remaining 35 % is contributed by emissions outside of China. Efficiency analysis shows that a reduction in BC emissions over eastern China could have a greater benefit for the regional air quality in China, especially in the winter haze season.



2015 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 129-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenyuan Chang ◽  
Hong Liao ◽  
Jinyuan Xin ◽  
Zhengqiang Li ◽  
Donghui Li ◽  
...  


Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Yongxiao Liang ◽  
Pengfeng Xiao

The effects of urbanization over eastern China on the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) under different sea surface temperature background are compared using a Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5.1). Experiments of urbanization investigated by comparing two climate simulations with and without urban land cover under both positive and negative phases of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) show the spatial distribution of precipitation with ‘southern flood and northern drought’ and weakening status of EASM. The climate effect of urbanization in eastern China is significantly different from north to south. Anomalous vertical ascending motion due to the role of urbanization in the south of 30° N have induced an increase in convective available potential energy (CAPE) and precipitation increase over southern China. At the same time, the downward vertical motion occurs in the north of 30° N which cause warming over northern China. Due to the anti-cyclonic anomalies in the upper and lower layers of the north, the monsoon circulation is weakened which can reduce the precipitation. However, urbanization impact under various phases of PDO show different effect. In the 1956–1970 urbanization experiments of negative PDO phase, the downward vertical motion and anti-cyclonic anomalies in the north of 30° N are also weaker than that of positive phase of PDO in 1982–1996. In terms of this situation, the urbanization experiments of negative phase of PDO reveal that the range of the warming area over the north of 40° N is small, and the warming intensity is weak, but the precipitation change is more obvious compared with the background of positive phase of PDO.



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