scholarly journals Climatology of Asian dust activation and transport potential based on MISR satellite observations and trajectory analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Yu ◽  
Olga V. Kalashnikova ◽  
Michael J. Garay ◽  
Michael Notaro
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Trajectory Analysis ◽  
Asian Dust ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
The North ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Dust Sources ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Transport Potential

Abstract. Asian dust, primarily emitted from the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts, has been reported to reach remote destinations, such as North America. However, the relative contribution of the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts to dust loadings through long-range transport remains unaddressed in any observational study. Here, the climatology of Asian dust activation and potential for transport is investigated using stereo observations of dust sources from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument combined with observation-initiated trajectory modeling. MISR-derived dust plume top height and dust plume motion vectors confirm the peak of dust activation and transport potential in spring over the Gobi Desert and in both spring and summer over the Taklamakan Desert. The long-range trajectory patterns of Asian dust, including the influence on North America through trans-Pacific transport, are assessed using extensive forward trajectories initiated by MISR dust plume observations. The trajectory analysis reveals latitude-dependent spread of dust trajectories from the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts, with Taklamakan dust dominantly affecting to the south of 50∘ N and Gobi dust primarily affecting to the north of 50∘ N in North America. The Asian dust activation and transport potential exhibit substantial seasonal and interannual variability, motivating future studies on the potential drivers.

scholarly journals Climatology in Asian dust activation and transport based on MISR satellite observations and trajectory analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Yu ◽  
Olga V. Kalashnikova ◽  
Michael J. Garay ◽  
Michael Notaro
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Trajectory Analysis ◽  
Asian Dust ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
The North ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Transport Patterns

Abstract. Asian dust, primarily emitted from the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts, has been reported to reach remote destinations, such as North America. However, the relative contribution of the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts to dust loadings through long-range transport remains unaddressed in any observational study. Here, the climatology of Asian dust activation and transport is investigated using stereo observations of dust sources from the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument combined with observation-initiated trajectory modeling. MISR-derived dust injection height and dust plume motion vectors confirm the peak of dust activation and transport potential in spring over the Gobi Desert and in both spring and summer over the Taklamakan Desert. The long-range transport patterns of Asian dust, including the influence on North America through trans-Pacific transport, are assessed using extensive forward trajectories initiated by MISR dust plume observations. The trajectory analysis reveals latitude-dependent influence of dust from the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts, with Taklamakan dust dominantly affecting to the south of 50° N and Gobi dust primarily affecting to the north of 50° N in North America. The Asian dust activation and transport exhibit substantial seasonal and interannual variability, motivating future studies on the potential drivers.

scholarly journals Long-range transport of giant particles in Asian dust identified by physical, mineralogical, and meteorological analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 505-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Y. Jeong ◽  
J. Y. Kim ◽  
J. Seo ◽  
G. M. Kim ◽  
H. C. Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Asian Dust ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Regional Circulation ◽  
Range Transport

Abstract. Giant particles transported over long distances are generally of limited concern in atmospheric studies due to their low number concentrations in mineral dust and possible local origin. However, they can play an important role in regional circulation of earth materials due to their enormous volume concentration. Asian dust laden with giant particles was observed in Korea on 31 March 2012, after a migration of about 2000 km across the Yellow Sea from the Gobi Desert. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that 20% of the particles exceeded 10 μm in equivalent sphere diameter, with a maximum of 60 μm. The median diameter from the number distribution was 5.7 μm, which was larger than the diameters recorded of 2.5 and 2.9 μm in Asian dust storms in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and was consistent with independent optical particle counter data. Giant particles (>10 μm) contributed about 89% of the volume of the dust in the 2012 storm. Illite–smectite series clay minerals were the major mineral group followed by quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, and calcite. The total phyllosilicate content was ~52%. The direct long-range transport of giant particles was confirmed by calcite nanofibers closely associated with clays in a submicron scale identified by high-resolution SEM and transmission electron microscopy. Since giant particles consisted of clay agglomerates and clay-coated quartz, feldspars, and micas, the mineral composition varied little throughout the fine (<5 μm), coarse (5–10 μm), giant-S (10–20 μm), and giant-L (>20 μm) size bins. Analysis of the synoptic conditions of the 2012 dust event and its migration indicated that the mid-tropospheric strong wind belt directly stretching to Korea induced rapid transport of the dust, delivering giant particles. Giant dust particles with high settling velocity would be the major input into the terrestrial and marine sedimentary and ecological systems of East Asia and the western Pacific. Analysis of ancient aeolian deposits in Korea suggested the common deposition of giant particles from Asian dust through the late Quaternary Period. The roles of giant particles should be reviewed with regard to regional circulation of mineral particles and nutrients.

scholarly journals Aerosol properties over Interior Alaska from lidar, DRUM Impactor sampler, and OPC-sonde measurements and their meteorological context during ARCTAS-A, April 2008

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1293-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Atkinson ◽  
K. Sassen ◽  
M. Hayashi ◽  
C. F. Cahill ◽  
G. Shaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Trajectory Analysis ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Asian Dust ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Aerosol Loading ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Optical Particle Counter

Abstract. Aerosol loading over Interior Alaska displays a strong seasonality, with pristine conditions generally prevailing during winter months. Long term aerosol research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks indicates that the period around April typically marks the beginning of the transition from winter to summer conditions. In April 2008, the NASA-sponsored "Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites" (ARCTAS) field campaign was conducted to analyze incursions of aerosols transported over Alaska and the Canadian North. In and around Fairbanks, Alaska, data concerning aerosol characteristics were gathered by polarization (0.693 μm) lidar, DRUM Impactor sampler, and balloon-borne optical particle counter. These data provide information on the vertical distribution and type of aerosol, their size distributions, the chemical nature of aerosol observed at the surface, and timing of aerosol loading. A detailed synoptic analysis placed these observations into their transport and source-region context. Evidence suggests four major aerosol loading periods in the 25 March–30 April 2008 timeframe: a period during which typical Arctic haze conditions prevailed, several days of extremely clear conditions, rapid onset of a period dominated by Asian dust with some smoke, and a period dominated by Siberian wildfire smoke. A focused case study analysis conducted on 19 April 2008 using a balloon-borne optical particle counter suggests that, on this day, the majority of the suspended particulate matter consisted of coarse mode desiccated aerosol having undergone long-range transport. Backtrack trajectory analysis suggests aged Siberian wildfire smoke. In the last week of April, concentrations gradually decreased as synoptic conditions shifted away from favoring transport to Alaska. An important result is a strong suggestion of an Asian dust incursion in mid-April that was not well identified in other ARCTAS measurements. The lidar and OPC-sonde unambiguously discern aerosols height stratification patterns indicative of long range transport. Identification of a dust component is suggested by DRUM sampler results, which indicate crustal species, and supported by synoptic and trajectory analysis, which indicates both a source-region lifting event and appropriate air-mass pathways.

scholarly journals Long-range transport of giant particles in Asian dust identified by physical, mineralogical, and meteorological analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 21041-21077 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Y. Jeong ◽  
J. Y. Kim ◽  
J. Seo ◽  
G. M. Kim ◽  
H. C. Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Asian Dust ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Regional Circulation ◽  
Range Transport

Abstract. Giant particles transported over long distances are generally of limited concern in atmospheric studies due to their low number concentrations in mineral dust and possible local origin. However, they can play an important role in regional circulation of earth materials due to their enormous volume concentration. Asian dust laden with giant particles was observed in Korea on 31 March 2012, after a migration of about 2000 km across the Yellow Sea from the Gobi Desert. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that 20% of the particles exceeded 10 μm in equivalent sphere diameter, with a maximum of 60 μm. The median diameter from the number distribution was 5.7 μm, which was larger than the diameters recorded of 2.5 and 2.9 μm in Asian dust storms in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and was consistent with independent optical particle counter data. Giant particles (> 10 μm) contributed about 89% of the volume of the dust in the 2012 storm. Illite-smectite series clay minerals were the major mineral group followed by quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, and calcite. The total phyllosilicate content was ~ 52%. The direct long-range transport of giant particles was confirmed by calcite nanofibers closely associated with clays in a submicron scale identified by high-resolution SEM and transmission electron microscopy. Since giant particles consisted of clay agglomerates and clay-coated quartz, feldspars, and micas, the mineral composition varied little throughout the fine (< 5 μm), coarse (5–10 μm), giant-S (10–20 μm), and giant-L (> 20 μm) size bins. Analysis of the synoptic conditions of the 2012 dust event and its migration indicated that the mid-tropospheric strong wind belt directly stretching to Korea induced rapid transport of the dust, delivering giant particles. Giant dust particles with high settling velocity would be the major input into the terrestrial and marine sedimentary and ecological systems of East Asia and the western Pacific. Analysis of ancient aeolian deposits in Korea suggested the common deposition of giant particles from Asian dust through the late Quaternary period. The roles of giant particles should be reviewed with regard to regional circulation of mineral particles and nutrients.

scholarly journals Analysis of aircraft and satellite measurements from the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment (INTEX-B) to quantify long-range transport of East Asian sulfur to Canada

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 2999-3014 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. van Donkelaar ◽  
R. V. Martin ◽  
W. R. Leaitch ◽  
A. M. Macdonald ◽  
T. W. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
North America ◽  
Long Range ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Chemical Transport ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Transport Experiment ◽  
Sulfur Emissions

Abstract. We interpret a suite of satellite, aircraft, and ground-based measurements over the North Pacific Ocean and western North America during April–May 2006 as part of the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment Phase B (INTEX-B) campaign to understand the implications of long-range transport of East Asian emissions to North America. The Canadian component of INTEX-B included 33 vertical profiles from a Cessna 207 aircraft equipped with an aerosol mass spectrometer. Long-range transport of organic aerosols was insignificant, contrary to expectations. Measured sulfate plumes in the free troposphere over British Columbia exceeded 2 μg/m3. We update the global anthropogenic emission inventory in a chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and use it to interpret the observations. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrieved from two satellite instruments (MISR and MODIS) for 2000–2006 are analyzed with GEOS-Chem to estimate an annual growth in Chinese sulfur emissions of 6.2% and 9.6%, respectively. Analysis of aircraft sulfate measurements from the NASA DC-8 over the central Pacific, the NSF C-130 over the east Pacific and the Cessna over British Columbia indicates most Asian sulfate over the ocean is in the lower free troposphere (800–600 hPa), with a decrease in pressure toward land due to orographic effects. We calculate that 56% of the measured sulfate between 500–900 hPa over British Columbia is due to East Asian sources. We find evidence of a 72–85% increase in the relative contribution of East Asian sulfate to the total burden in spring off the northwest coast of the United States since 1985. Campaign-average simulations indicate anthropogenic East Asian sulfur emissions increase mean springtime sulfate in Western Canada at the surface by 0.31 μg/m3 (~30%) and account for 50% of the overall regional sulfate burden between 1 and 5 km. Mean measured daily surface sulfate concentrations taken in the Vancouver area increase by 0.32 μg/m3 per 10% increase in the simulated fraction of Asian sulfate, and suggest current East Asian emissions episodically degrade local air quality by more than 1.5 μg/m3.

scholarly journals Spectral optical properties of long-range transport Asian dust and pollution aerosols over Northeast Asia in 2007 and 2008

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 5391-5408 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jung ◽  
Y. J. Kim ◽  
K. Y. Lee ◽  
M. G. -Cayetano ◽  
T. Batmunkh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Light Attenuation ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Absorption Efficiency ◽  
Asian Dust ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Range Transport

Abstract. As a part of the IGAC (International Global Atmospheric Chemistry) Mega-cities program, aerosol physical and optical properties were continuously measured from March 2007 to March 2008 at an urban site (37.57° N, 126.94° E) in Seoul, Korea. Spectral optical properties of long-range transported Asian dust and pollution aerosols have been investigated based on the year long measurement data. Optically measured black carbon/thermally measured elemental carbon (BC/EC) ratio showed clear monthly variation with high values in summer and low values in winter mainly due to the enhancement of light attenuation by the internal mixing of EC. Novel approach has been suggested to retrieve the spectral light absorption coefficient (babs) from Aethalometer raw data by using BC/EC ratio. Mass absorption efficiency, σabs (=babs/EC) at 550 nm was determined to be 9.0±1.3, 8.9±1.5, 9.5±2.0, and 10.3±1.7 m2 g−1 in spring, summer, fall, and winter, respectively with an annual mean of 9.4±1.8 m2 g−1. Threshold values to classify severe haze events were suggested in this study. Increasing trend of aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) with wavelength was observed during Asian dust events while little spectral dependence of SSA was observed during long-range transport pollution (LTP) events. Satellite aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and Hysplit air mass backward trajectory analyses as well as chemical analysis were performed to characterize the dependence of spectral optical properties on aerosol type. Results from this study can provide useful information for studies on regional air quality and aerosol's effects on climate change.

scholarly journals Transport and fate of hexachlorocyclohexanes in the oceanic air and surface seawater

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 5537-5562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Xie ◽  
B. P. Koch ◽  
A. Möller ◽  
R. Sturm ◽  
R. Ebinghaus
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Water Exchange ◽  
Exchange Process ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Surface Seawater ◽  
The North ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Long Term Trends

Abstract. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) are ubiquitous organic pollutants derived from pesticide application. They are subject to long-range transport, persistent in the environment, and capable of accumulation in biota. Shipboard measurements of HCH isomers (α-, γ- and β-HCH) in surface seawater and boundary layer atmospheric samples were conducted in the Atlantic and the Southern Ocean in October to December of 2008. ΣHCHs concentrations (the sum of α-, γ- and β-HCH) in the lower atmosphere ranged from 11.8 to 36.9 pg m−3 (mean: 26.6 ± 11.0 pg m−3) in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), and from 1.5 to 4.0 pg m−3 (mean: 2.8 ± 1.1 pg m−3) in the Southern Hemisphere (SH), respectively. Water concentrations were: α-HCH 0.33–46.8 pg l−1, γ-HCH 0.02–33.2 pg l−1 and β-HCH 0.11–2 pg l−1. HCH concentrations decreased from the North Atlantic to the Southern Ocean, indicating historical use of HCHs in the NH. Spatial distribution showed increasing concentrations from the equator towards North and South latitudes illustrating the concept of cold condensation and less interhemispheric mixing process. In comparison to concentrations measured in 1987–1999/2000, gaseous HCHs were slightly lower, while dissolved HCHs decreased by factor of 2–3 orders of magnitude. Air-water exchange gradients suggested net deposition for α-HCH (mean: 3759 pg m−2 day−1) and γ-HCH (mean: 1987 pg m−2 day−1), whereas β-HCH varied between equilibrium (volatilization: <0–12 pg m−2 day−1) and net deposition (range: 6–687 pg m−2 day−1), indicating a multi-hopper transport behavior. Climate change may significantly accelerate the releasing process of "old" HCHs from continental storage (e.g. soil, vegetation and high mountains) and drive long-range transport from sources to deposition in the open oceans. Biological productivities may interfere with the air-water exchange process as well. Consequently, further investigation is necessary to elucidate the long term trends and the biogeochemical turnover of HCHs in the oceanic environment.

scholarly journals Lagrangian formation pathways of moist anomalies in the trade-wind region during the dry season: two case studies from EUREC<sup>4</sup>A

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Villiger ◽  
Heini Wernli ◽  
Maxi Boettcher ◽  
Martin Hagen ◽  
Franziska Aemisegger
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cold Front ◽  
Trade Wind ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
The North ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. Shallow clouds in the trade-wind region over the North Atlantic contribute substantially to the global radiative budget. In the vicinity of the Caribbean island Barbados, they appear in different mesoscale organisation patterns with distinct net cloud radiative effects (CRE). Cloud formation processes in this region are typically controlled by the prevailing large-scale subsidence. However, occasionally weather systems from remote origin cause significant disturbances. This study investigates the complex cloud-circulation interactions during the field campaign EUREC4A (Elucidate the Couplings Between Clouds, Convection and Circulation) from 16 January to 20 February 2020, using a combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian diagnostics. Based on observations and ERA5 reanalyses, we identify the relevant processes and characterise the formation pathways of two moist anomalies above the Barbados Cloud Observatory (BCO), one in the lower (~1000–650 hPa) and one in the middle troposphere (~650–300 hPa). These moist anomalies are associated with strongly negative CRE values and with contrasting long-range transport processes from the extratropics and the tropics, respectively. The low-level moist anomaly is characterised by an unusually thick cloud layer, high precipitation totals and a strongly negative CRE. Its formation is connected to an “extratropical dry intrusion” (EDI) that interacts with a trailing cold front. A quasi-climatological (2010–2020) analysis reveals that EDIs lead to different conditions at the BCO depending on how they interact with the associated cold front. Based on this climatology, we discuss the relevance of the strong large-scale forcing by EDIs for the low-cloud patterns near the BCO and the related CRE. The second case study about the mid-tropospheric moist anomaly is associated with an extended and persistent mixed-phase shelf cloud and the lowest daily CRE value observed during the campaign. Its formation is linked to “tropical mid-level detrainment” (TMD), which refers to detrainment from tropical deep convection near the melting layer. The quasi-climatological analysis shows that TMDs consistently lead to mid-tropospheric moist anomalies over the BCO and that the detrainment height controls the magnitude of the anomaly. However, no systematic relationship was found between the amplitude of this mid-tropospheric moist anomaly and the CRE at the BCO. Overall, this study reveals the important impact of the long-range transport, driven by dynamical processes either in the extratropics or the tropics, on the variability of the vertical structure of moisture and clouds, and on the resulting CRE in the North Atlantic winter trades.

Recent development of Arctic air routes

Polar Record ◽  
1962 ◽  
Vol 11 (72) ◽  
pp. 261-264
Author(s):  
John Grierson
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Long Range ◽  
North Pole ◽  
The Real ◽  
The North ◽  
The World ◽  
North Polar ◽  
The One ◽  
Over The Top

Since Andrée's magnificent failure to fly to the North Pole in a balloon in 1897, two great epochs have been marked in polar aviation. The first was the epoch of adventure, lasting nearly 60 years, which attracted to its ranks such men as Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth, Umberto Nobile, Richard Byrd, Charles Lindbergh, Gino Watkins and the real father of Arctic aviation, Hubert Wilkins. Many others added their quota of experience until enough was known, and the technique of long-range polar flying had developed sufficiently far, for a regular air line to start operations across the North Polar Basin. That was on 15 November 1954 when Scandinavian Airways System (SAS) opened the first air route over the top of the world, from Europe to North America. This heralded the second epoch—the one of consolidation, and the purpose of this article is to describe very briefly the course of developments during these last seven and a half years.

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