scholarly journals Multi-model simulations of springtime dust storms in East Asia: Implications of an evaluation of four commonly used air quality models (CMAQv5.2.1, CAMxv6.50, CHIMEREv2017r4, and WRF-Chem v3.9.1)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siqi Ma ◽  
Xuelei Zhang ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Daniel Q. Tong ◽  
Aijun Xiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Parameter Tuning ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Dust Event ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Quality Models ◽  
Dust Flux

Abstract. Mineral dust particles play an important role in the Earth system, imposing a variety of effects on air quality, climate, human health, and economy. Accurate forecasts of dust events are highly desirable to provide early-warning and inform decision-making. East Asia is one of the largest dust sources in the world. This study applies and evaluates four widely used regional air quality models to simulate dust storms in East Asia. Three dust schemes in the Weather Research and Forecast with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) (version 3.9.1), two schemes in CHIMERE (version 2017r4) and CMAQ (version 5.2), and one scheme in CAMx (version 6.50), were applied to a dust event during May 4th~6th, 2015 in Northeastern China. Most of these models were able to capture this dust event, except CAMx which has no dust source map covering the study area, hence is excluded from subsequent analysis. Although these models reproduced the spatial pattern of the dust plume, there were large discrepancies between predicted and observed PM10 concentrations in each model. In general, CHIMERE had relatively better performance among all simulations with default configurations. After parameter tuning, WRF-Chem with the AFWA scheme using seasonal dust source map from Ginoux et al. (2012) showed the best performance, followed by WRF-Chem with UOC_Shao2011 scheme, CHIMERE, and CMAQ. This study suggested that the dust source maps should be carefully selected or replaced with a new one constructed with local data. Moreover, further study and measurement on sandblasting efficiency of different soil types and locations should be conducted to improve the accuracy of estimated vertical dust flux in air quality models.

scholarly journals Multimodel simulations of a springtime dust storm over northeastern China: implications of an evaluation of four commonly used air quality models (CMAQ v5.2.1, CAMx v6.50, CHIMERE v2017r4, and WRF-Chem v3.9.1)

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4603-4625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siqi Ma ◽  
Xuelei Zhang ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Daniel Q. Tong ◽  
Aijun Xiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Parameter Tuning ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Dust Event ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Quality Models

Abstract. Mineral dust particles play an important role in the Earth system, imposing a variety of effects on air quality, climate, human health, and economy. Accurate forecasts of dust events are highly desirable to provide an early warning and inform the decision-making process. East Asia is one of the largest dust sources in the world. This study applies and evaluates four widely used regional air quality models to simulate dust storms in northeastern China. Three dust schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) (version 3.9.1), two schemes in both CHIMERE (version 2017r4) and CMAQ (version 5.2.1), and one scheme in CAMx (version 6.50) were applied to a dust event during 4–6 May 2015 in northeastern China. Most of these models were able to capture this dust event with the exception of CAMx, which has no dust source map covering the study area; hence, another dust source mask map was introduced to replace the default one for the subsequent simulation. Although these models reproduced the spatial pattern of the dust plume, there were large discrepancies between predicted and observed PM10 concentrations in each model. In general, CHIMERE had relatively better performance among all simulations with default configurations. After parameter tuning, WRF-Chem with the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) scheme using a seasonal dust source map from Ginoux et al. (2012) showed the best performance, followed by WRF-Chem with the UOC_Shao2004 scheme, CHIMERE, and CMAQ. The performance of CAMx had significantly improved by substituting the default dust map and removing the friction velocity limitation. This study suggested that the dust source maps should be carefully selected on a regional scale or replaced with a new one constructed with local data. Moreover, further study and measurement of sandblasting efficiency of different soil types and locations should be conducted to improve the accuracy of estimated vertical dust fluxes in air quality models.

scholarly journals Source, transport and impacts of a heavy dust event in the Yangtze River Delta, China in 2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 21507-21540
Author(s):  
X. Fu ◽  
S. X. Wang ◽  
Z. Cheng ◽  
J. Xing ◽  
B. Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Yangtze River ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Yangtze River Delta ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
The Yangtze River ◽  
Dust Event ◽  
The Yrd ◽  
The Yangtze River Delta

Abstract. During 1 to 6 May 2011, a dust event was observed in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD). The highest PM10 concentration reached over 1000 μg m−3 and the visibility was below 3 km. In this study, the Community Multi-scale Air Quality modeling system (CMAQ5.0) coupled with an in-line windblown dust model was used to simulate the formation, spatial and temporal characteristics of this dust event, and analyze its impacts on deposition and photochemistry. The threshold friction velocity for loose smooth surface in the dust model was revised based on Chinese data to improve the model performance. The comparison between predictions and observations indicates the revised model can reproduce the transport and pollution of the event. The simulation results show that the dust event was affected by formation and transport of Mongolian cyclone and cold air. Totally about 695 kt dust particles (PM10) were emitted in Xinjiang Province and Mongolia during 28 to 30 April, the dust band swept northern, eastern China and then arrived in the YRD region on 1 May 2011. The transported dust particles increased the mean surface layer concentrations of PM10 in the YRD region by 372% during 1 to 6 May and the impacts weakened from north to south due to the removal of dust particles along the path. Accompanied by high PM concentration, the dry deposition, wet deposition and total deposition of PM10 in the YRD reached 184.7 kt, 172.6 kt and 357.32 kt, respectively. These deposited particles are very harmful because of their impacts on urban environment as well as air quality and human health when resuspending in the atmosphere. Due to the impacts of mineral dust on atmospheric photolysis, the concentrations of O3 and OH were reduced by 1.5% and 3.1% in the whole China, and by 9.4% and 12.1% in the YRD region, respectively. The work of this manuscript is meaningful for understanding the dust emissions in China as well as for the application of CMAQ in Asia. It is also helpful to understand the formation mechanism and impacts of dust pollution in the YRD.

scholarly journals Vertical Structures of Dust Aerosols over East Asia Based on CALIPSO Retrievals

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Liu ◽  
Tianliang Zhao ◽  
Richard Boiyo ◽  
Siyu Chen ◽  
Zhengqi Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The spatiotemporal and especially the vertical distributions of dust aerosols play crucial roles in the climatic effect of dust aerosol. In the present study, the spatial-temporal distribution of dust aerosols over East Asia was investigated using Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) retrievals (01/2007–12/2011) from the perspective of the frequency of dust occurrence (FDO), dust top layer height (TH) and profile of aerosol subtypes. The results showed that a typical dust belt was generated from the dust source regions (the Taklimakan and Gobi Deserts), in the latitude range of 25°N~45°N and reaching eastern China, Japan and Korea and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean. High dust frequencies were found over the dust source regions, with a seasonal sequence from high to low as follows: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Vertically, FDOs peaked at about 2 km over the dust source regions. In contrast, FDOs decreased with altitude over the downwind regions. On the dust belt from dust source regions to downwind regions, the dust top height (TH) was getting higher and higher. The dust TH varied in the range of 1.9–3.1 km above surface elevation (a.s.e.), with high values over the dust source regions and low values in the downwind areas, and a seasonally descending sequence of summer, spring, autumn and winter in accord with the seasonal variation of the boundary layer height. The annual AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) was generally characterized by two high and two low AOD centers over East Asia. The percent contribution of the Dust Aerosol Optical Depth to the total AOD showed a seasonal variation from high to low as follows: spring, winter, autumn and summer. The vertical profile of the extinction coefficient revealed the predominance of pure dust particles in the dust source regions and a mixture of dust particles and pollutants in the downwind regions. The dust extinction coefficients over the Taklimakan Desert had a seasonal pattern from high to low as follows: spring, winter, summer and autumn. The results of the present study offered an understanding of the horizontal and vertical structures of dust aerosols over East Asia and can be used to evaluate the performance aerosol transport models.

inDust: International Network to encourage the use of monitoring and forecasting DUST products

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Basart ◽  
Slodoban Nickovic ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
End Users ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Economic Sectors

<p>Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) are extreme meteorological phenomena that generate significant amounts of airborne mineral dust particles. SDS plays a significant role in different aspects of weather, climate and atmospheric chemistry. Also, SDS represents a severe hazard for life, health, property, environment and economy, which is aligned with several Sustainable Developed Goal (SDG) targets established by the United Nations (UN). Understanding, managing, and mitigating SDS risks and effects requires fundamental and cross-disciplinary knowledge.</p><p>Over the last few years, there is an increasing need for SDS accurate information and predictions to support early warning systems, and preparedness and mitigation plans in addition to growing interest from diverse stakeholders, such as solar energy plant managers, health professionals, aviation and policymakers from environmental and health public sectors. Current attempts to transfer tailored products to end-users are not coordinated, and the same technological and social obstacles are tackled individually by all different groups, a process that makes the use of data slow and expensive.</p><p>The EU-funded COST Action inDust (www.cost-indust.eu, CA16202) has an overall objective to establish a network involving research institutions, service providers and potential end-users of information on airborne dust that can assist the diverse socio-economic sectors affected by the presence of high concentrations of atmospheric dust. In line with this main objective, the network is being worked on the identification and engagement of representatives of dust affected socio-economic sectors (targeting on air quality and health, aviation and solar energy) from different countries in Europe but also in North Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, the participation of South African, American and importantly Asian partners brings the possibility of extending the application of the developed products, protocols and tools well beyond the European borders, including areas like Asian regions where dust particles play a significant role in the air quality and meteorological processes.</p><p>The primary outcomes of the network are the identification of the needs of the various and new dust-related products and services able to satisfy these needs. As a result, the network has been working on a dust catalogue which includes an overview of (ground-based and satellite) observations and model products.</p>

scholarly journals Investigation of severe dust storms over the Pan-Eurasian area using multi-satellite observations and ground-based measurements

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu She ◽  
Yong Xue ◽  
Jie Guang ◽  
Yahui Che ◽  
Cheng Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Dust Storm ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Central China ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Hysplit Model

Abstract. The deserts in East Asia are one of the most influential mineral dust source regions in the world. Large amounts of dust particles are emitted and transported to distant regions. A super dust storm characterized by long-distance transport occurred over the Pan-Eurasian Experiment (PEEX) area in early May 2017. In this study, multi-satellite/sensor observations and ground-based measurements combined with the HYbrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model were used to analyse the dynamical processes of the origin and transport of the strong dust storm. The optical and microphysical properties of the dust particles were analysed using Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) measurements. From the multi-satellite observations, the dust storms were suggested to have originated from the Gobi Desert on the morning of 3 May 2017, and it transported dust northeastward to the Bering Sea, eastward to the Korean Peninsula and Japan, and southward to southern Central China. The air quality in China drastically deteriorated as a result of this heavy dust storm; the PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 mm in aerodynamic diameter) concentrations measured at some air quality stations located in northern China reached 4000 μg/m3. During the dust event, the maximum AOD values reached 3, 2.3, 2.8, and 0.65 with sharp drops in the extinction Ångström exponent (EAE) to 0.023, 0.068, 0.03, and 0.097 at AOE_Baotou, Beijing, Xuzhou-CUMT, and Ussuriysk, respectively. The dust storm introduced great variations in the aerosol property, causing totally different spectral single-scattering albedo (SSA) and volume size distribution (VSD). The combined observations revealed comprehensive information about the dynamic transport of dust and the dust affected regions, and the effect of dust storms on the aerosol properties.

scholarly journals Air Quality Modeling for of a Strong Dust Event in East Asia in March 2010

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Han ◽  
Cui Ge ◽  
Jinhua Tao ◽  
Meigen Zhang ◽  
Renjian Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Air Quality Modeling ◽  
Dust Event ◽  
Quality Modeling

scholarly journals Synergistic Use of Remote Sensing and Modeling for Tracing Dust Storms in the Mediterranean

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Kaskaoutis ◽  
A. K. Prasad ◽  
P. G. Kosmopoulos ◽  
P. R. Sinha ◽  
S. K. Kharol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Spherical Particles ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
532 Nm ◽  
Dust Source Region

This study focuses on the detection of the dust source region and monitoring of the transport of the dust plume from its primary outflow to final deposition. The application area is the Sahara desert and the eastern Mediterranean, where two dust events occurred during the period 4–6 February 2009, an unusual event for a winter period. The Aqua-MODIS and OMI observations clearly define the spatial distribution of the dust plumes, while the CALIPSO observations of total attenuated backscatter (TAB) at 532 nm, depolarization ratio (DR), and attenuated color ratio (1064/532 nm) on 5 February 2009 provide a clear view and vertical structure of the dust-laden layer. The dust source region is defined to be near the Chad-Niger-Libyan borders, using satellite observations and model (DREAM) output. This dust plume is vertically extended up to 2.5 km and is observed as a mass plume of dust from surface level to that altitude, where the vertical variation of TAB (0.002 to 0.2) and DR (0.2–0.5) implies dust-laden layer with non-spherical particles. CALIPSO profiles show that after the dust plume reached at its highest level, the dust particles start to be deposited over the Mediterranean and the initial dust plume was strongly attenuated, while features of dust were limited below about 1–1.5 km for latitudes northern of ~36° (Greek territory).

scholarly journals Comparison of PM2.5 Chemical Components over East Asia Simulated by the WRF-Chem and WRF/CMAQ Models: On the Models’ Prediction Inconsistency

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choi ◽  
Lee ◽  
Woo ◽  
Kim ◽  
Lee
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
East Asia ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Weather Research And Forecasting ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Atmospheric Concentration ◽  
Quality Models ◽  
Weather Research

High levels of atmospheric concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matters less than 2.5 μm in size) are one of the most urgent societal issues over the East Asian countries. Air quality models have been used as an essential tool to predict spatial and temporal distribution of the PM2.5 and to support relevant policy making. This study aims to investigate the performance of high-fidelity air quality models in simulating surface PM2.5 chemical composition over the East Asia region in terms of a prediction consistency, which is a prerequisite for accurate air quality forecasts and reliable policy decision. The WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting-Chemistry) and WRF/CMAQ (Weather Research and Forecasting/Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system) models were selected and uniquely configured for a one-month simulation by controlling surface emissions and meteorological processes (model options) to investigate the prediction consistency focusing the analyses on the effects of meteorological and chemical processes. The results showed that the surface PM2.5 chemical components simulated by both the models had significant inconsistencies over East Asia ranging fractional differences of 53% ± 30% despite the differences in emissions and meteorological fields were minimal. The models’ large inconsistencies in the surface PM2.5 concentration were attributed to the significant differences in each model’s chemical responses to the meteorological variables, which were identified from the multiple linear regression analyses. Our findings suggest that the significant models’ prediction inconsistencies should be considered with a great caution in the PM2.5 forecasts and policy support over the East Asian region.

scholarly journals Large-scale dust event in East Asia, as revealed by the Himawari-8 DUST RGB, lidar network observations, and field survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 01004
Author(s):  
Kenji Kai ◽  
Yuki Minamoto ◽  
Kotaro Nakamura ◽  
Minrui Wang ◽  
Kei Kawai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
Horqin Sandy Land ◽  
Sandy Land ◽  
Dust Event ◽  
Multiple Sources

A large-scale dust event occurred in East Asia during early May 2017, and transported dust was measured all over Japan. We performed an analysis of the entire dust event using multiple sources: a local ceilometer measurement, measurements from an optical particle counter in the Gobi Desert (Dalanzadgad, Mongolia), a study of Dust RGB imagery obtained from Himawari-8, lidar measurements from Japan, and meteorological data. Our results show that three extratropical low pressure systems occurred consecutively in Mongolia and generated dust storms in the Gobi Desert. Remarkably, the Dust RGB imagery shows both the occurrence and the transportation of the dust, and was able to detect two dust outbreaks in the Horqin Sandy Land of Northern China and their transportation to eastern Japan; this shows that the Horqin Sandy Land was one of the source regions of this dust event.

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