Some meteorological aspects of air pollution in Athens,Greece

Summary The purpose of this paper is to examine some meteorological aspects of air pollution in the Athens area, Greece. Over recent years much attention has been directed to the importance of spells of weather in providing conditions that give rise to inversion of temperature at or near ground level, and hence to risks of severe incidents of air pollution. So, emphasis is given to the importance of anticyclonic conditions, associated with pronounced stability during ground level radiation inversions, when the same sampling sites show high concentration of both SO₂ and smoke. Fifteen years of surface and radiosonde data obtained from Hellinikon Airport Athens are used for a climatological base. The meteorology of high concentration episodes has also been examined and the synoptic characteristics for the onset and end of such episodes have been identified. Finally, trends of pollution episodes and calculation of an air stagnation index for Athens have been obtained, which give a predicting indication about the occurrence of high pollution concentration.With 11 Figures     

北京市持续重污染天气分析

通过对2004-2008年北京市空气持续重污染过程的统计及其对非沙尘型持续重污染天气形势的特征分析,得到以下结论：持续重污染过程具有明显的季节分布特征,主要包括春季沙尘型污染和秋冬季节非沙尘型污染;非沙尘型持续重污染过程期间多对应着大雾、轻雾、霾、烟等低能见度天气,过程后期对应的天气现象多为大风或降水天气。其中大雾天气更易引发长时间持续的空气重污染事件。非沙尘型持续重污染的天气形势特点为：高空多为纬向环流,850 hPa多为暖脊控制,地面多处于弱气压场,鞍形场型污染尤为严重。北京持续重污染多对应区域性污染。     

Synoptic and local scale atmospheric circulation associated with air pollution episodes in an urban Mediterranean area

Air pollution episodes in urban coastal areas follow certain pre-determined patterns, being associated with certain local meteorological conditions and emission of primary pollutants. In this study, the synoptic and local scale atmospheric circulation that prevails during air pollution episodes in a coastal major city in Greece, Thessaloniki, is examined for a period of 15 years (1989–2004). The study signifies the importance of studying air pollution meteorological patterns between coastal areas with different terrain characteristics. For Thessaloniki, it was found that the episodes occur mainly during the cold period of the year, while four types of synoptic scale circulation were recognized (I, II, III, IV) and five patterns of the local scale circulation (A1, A2, B1, B2 and B3). The highest percentage of episodes is associated with the presence of an anticyclone over the northern Greece (types I and IV), being characterized by weak or very weak surface pressure gradient intensity, according to the position and extension of the anticyclone. Moreover, a temperature increase of at least 1°C during the previous 3 days is required in the lower troposphere. Consistent with the synoptic conditions, the development of the sea breeze plays a crucial role in the occurrence of the episodes, even in the cold period of the year, when the sea breeze can still develop with smaller frequency and intensity. Finally, it was found that a small number of episodes is related with the advection of polluted air masses from the industrial area in the northwest of the city and from the Eordaia area in the west, which is the largest lignite producing area of Balkans.     

Inland Propagation of Sea Breeze under Opposing Offshore Wind

Summary  According to past experience, the nearly stagnant conditions caused by the presumed equilibrium between the Saronikos Gulf sea breeze and an opposing synoptic flow is identified as the principal mechanism leading to high pollution episodes in Athens during the summer. However, previous experimental work has not examined in detail the interaction of the sea breeze flow with the opposing background flow. In this context, recent experimental work covering the basic key-locations of the Athens Basin focused on the inland propagation of the southerly sea breeze from the coast to the northern part of the basin mainly under moderate northerly background wind. During this campaign, a network of four meteorological stations established along the Athens Basin and a high range acoustic sounder at the centre of Athens operated over a two months time period in the summer of 1993. In addition, tethered balloon flights in the centre of Athens and on a sea vessel about 15 km offshore were employed during an experimental day with moderate opposing background wind. The results from this experimental campaign include the documentation of the sea breeze delay and its intensity as a function of a sea breeze index and features of the vertical structure of the sea breeze over land as well as over sea. Received March 20, 1998 Revised October 12, 1998     

The conductivity of the air and other electrical parameters in relation to meteorological elements and air pollution in Athens

Summary The annual and diurnal variation of the conductivity near the ground at Athens, based on long-term data, are presented. The diurnal double oscillation is a characteristic of the atmospheric electric climate of Athens. In addition, the influence of air pollution due to smoke and sulfur dioxide and of wind speed (as an element affecting the dispersion of pollulants) on large ion concentration and on conductivity has been examined. The air pollution, which is often severe in Athens area, results in decreasing conductivity and increasing large ion concentration, while the influence of wind speed is also pronounced. The results justify the use of conductivity as a pollution index. Finally the plausible influence of air temperature and relative humidity and of their rate of change on air electrical conductivity, has been examined. The results are ambiguous and depending on the season, especially for relative humidity.With 3 Figures     

2008年北京奥运会期间污染控制效果数值模拟——以个例分析为例

利用2007和2008年北京地区空气质量监测资料和NCEP再分析资料,分析了北京地区空气动力学当量直径小于等于10μm颗粒物(PM10)污染过程与天气形势及天气系统之间的关系。结果表明:西太平洋热带气旋路径对北京地区发生PM10污染具有预示作用,即当热带气旋北上并在朝鲜半岛或日本登陆的情况下,北京地区一般受持续均压场等弱中尺度天气系统控制,这种中尺度天气系统不利于污染物的扩散,因此北京地区经常发生区域性的PM10空气污染事件。在2007年9次台风北上登陆朝鲜半岛或日本的过程中,北京地区伴随发生了9次PM10污染过程,预示准确率达100%,2008年的预示准确率也达到了80%以上。为了说明北京奥运会期间污染控制措施对改善北京空气质量有实际效果,利用中国科学院大气物理研究所区域空气质量模式NAQPMS,采用无控制措施源和有控制措施源,对2008年北京残奥会期间一次西太平洋北上型热带气旋天气条件下的空气质量状况进行了数值模拟试验,揭示了此次过程北京地区未发生PM10空气污染的原因。     

夏季厄尔尼诺-Modoki和东部型ENSO海表温度异常分布型特征及其与海洋性大陆区域气候异常的联系

2007年,Ashok等揭示了赤道太平洋区域存在一种三极型分布海表温度异常并称之为厄尔尼诺-Modoki,同时定义了相应的海表温度异常指数EMI（记为I_EM）。在此基础上,利用英国哈得来中心逐月海表温度资料、美国NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析数据集、美国国家海洋和大气管理局（NOAA）逐月降水资料（CMAP）,通过在太平洋海表温度异常中扣除厄尔尼诺-Modoki信号后,在Nino1+2区域上定义了东太平洋型海表温度异常指数EPNI（I_EPN）。据此,由I_EPN和I_EM可构成描述热带太平洋海表温度异常变化的一对指数。分析了两个指数相应的海气状态及对海洋性大陆区域气候异常的影响。结果表明,厄尔尼诺-Modoki和东太平洋型海表温度异常及其影响存在显著差异。在北半球夏季,当I_EM处于正位相时,热带太平洋海表温度异常呈现“负-正-负”的结构,海洋性大陆大部分区域海表温度异常为负,此时对流层低层太平洋地区辐合,海洋性大陆地区辐散,对流层高层太平洋地区辐散,海洋性大陆地区辐合。对应于辐合辐散中心,存在着自赤道中太平洋分别向赤道东太平洋和海洋性大陆中东部地区的异常垂直环流圈,同时也存在自海洋性大陆西部向印度洋西部的垂直环流。大气在海洋性大陆区域北部加热,南部冷却;在太平洋地区西部加热而东部冷却;在海洋性大陆区域10°N以南降水偏少,而10°N以北降水偏多。当I_EPN处于正位相时,热带太平洋海表温度异常呈现“西负东正”分布型,海洋性大陆区域海表温度异常呈现“西正东负”分布,对流层低层海洋性大陆地区辐散中心范围偏大、位置偏东、强度偏强,太平洋地区辐合中心范围偏小、位置偏东,热带环流异常在垂直方向上呈斜压结构,海洋性大陆区域北部大气加热而南部冷却,太平洋地区大气均呈加热正异常,海洋性大陆大部分区域降水均偏少,赤道太平洋降水偏多。以上这些结果有利于深刻理解热带太平洋海表温度异常的特征及其对海洋性大陆区域气候的影响。     

The atmospheric electric field in Athens-Greece

Summary In the present study, the daily, annual and seasonal variations of the electric field in Athens-Greece, for all weather as well as for fair weather conditions, for the 16-years period 1965–1980 were examined. The daily variation of the electric field follows a double oscillation. A Fourier analysis was also used for the study of its diurnal variation. The results of the Man-Kendall test showed that the electric field at National Observatory of Athens (NOA), during the 16-years period, is essentially constant. In addition, the influence of the air pollution due to smoke and of wind speed on electric field was examined. It was deduced that an increase of air pollution results in an increase of electric field, while the electric field decreases as the wind speed increases.With 4 figures     

Evolution of Meteorological Conditions during a Heavy Air Pollution Event under the Influence of Shallow Foehn in Urumqi,China

The air pollution in Urumqi which is located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in northwestern China,is very serious in winter. Of particular importance is the influence of terrain-induced shallow foehn, known locally as elevated southeasterly gale(ESEG). It usually modulates atmospheric boundary layer structure and wind field patterns and produces favorable meteorological conditions conducive to hazardous air pollution. During 2013–17, Urumqi had an average of 50 d yr^–1...     

Meteorological prerequisites of formation of severe wintertime air pollution episodes in Moscow

Large-scale and local weather conditions during severe wintertime air pollution episodes in the Moscow megalopolis are analyzed. Concentrations of CO, NO, and NO₂ obtained from the automated network of the atmosphere pollution control are used as tracers for atmospheric processes in the urban atmospheric boundary layer. It is shown that a high surface air pollution level in the city is formed at a weak wind in the lower atmosphere and only in the presence of a surface or low elevated temperature inversion. Temperature contrasts in the urban heat island generate the circulation that promotes air pollution in megapolis regions remote from large emission sources. It is supposed that in case of severe frosts the amount of anthropogenic heat in the megapolis sharply increases, promoting active turbulent mixing, thus preventing pollution accumulation in the surface air.     

肇庆市PM2.5重污染天气形势及冬季典型污染过程输送特征研究

为了揭示肇庆市颗粒物重污染过程的发生与发展规律,利用2013—2014年PM_2.5监测数据,分析该区域两年间的空气质量整体变化情况以及PM_2.5污染过程的季节变化规律,统计两年间所有颗粒物重污染过程,并根据污染过程的天气形势展开分析,运用空气质量数值模型（WRF-Chem）对冬季一次典型重污染过程进行模拟研究。结果表明,肇庆2013—2014年共发生27次PM_2.5重污染过程且主要出现在秋冬季,结合气象场的分布特征,总结出四种诱发重污染过程发生的天气形势,分别是高压出海型（48%）、热带低压型（22%）、锋面影响型（19%）及冷高压控制型（11%）。在四种天气形势的影响下,肇庆整体风向以东南风和南风为主,大气处于静稳状态,导致污染物的积累并诱发重污染过程。WRF-Chem模拟结果进一步发现,不利气象条件及本地排放源是造成肇庆冬季重污染过程发生的主要原因。结合四维通量模型对肇庆边界污染物输送情况进行定量分析后发现,肇庆PM_2.5以输出为主,其中硝酸盐与氨盐的输出通量较大。此外,模型还揭示了肇庆境内的主要污染物输送通道呈东南-西北走向,外地输入的污染物也通过此通道影响肇庆的空气质量      

石家庄市污染日特征及其天气背景分析

对石家庄市2002年1月到2004年12月空气质量达到中度及以上典型污染日进行了统计分析,得出典型污染日的分布特点、对应的气象要素特征及3种天气型。结果表明:典型污染日多出现在采暖季节,出现时间具有相对连续性;污染日分为沙尘和非沙尘两类,气象要素特征前者表现为风速大、湿度小、多正变压等锋后特征;后者则表现为地面风小、湿度高、多逆温层、大里查逊数等稳定大气层结,这些均为锋前特征;还侧重指出由于石家庄的特殊地形作用,高压前部型是石家庄重污染出现几率最多的天气类型。并由此提炼出中度以上污染日的预报要点,可供空气质量预报业务参考。     

Investigating the Transport Mechanism of PM2.5 Pollution during January 2014 in Wuhan,Central China

Severe haze pollution that occurred in January 2014 in Wuhan was investigated. The factors leading to Wuhan’s PM_2.5 pollution and the characteristics and formation mechanism were found to be significantly different from other megacities, like Beijing. Both the growth rates and decline rates of PM_2.5 concentrations in Wuhan were lower than those in Beijing, but the monthly PM_2.5 value was approximately twice that in Beijing. Furthermore, the sharp increases of PM_2.5 concentrations were often accompanied by strong winds. A high-precision modeling system with an online source-tagged method was established to explore the formation mechanism of five haze episodes. The long-range transport of the polluted air masses from the North China Plain (NCP) was the main factor leading to the sharp increases of PM_2.5 concentrations in Wuhan, which contributed 53.4% of the monthly PM_2.5 concentrations and 38.5% of polluted days. Furthermore, the change in meteorological conditions such as weakened winds and stable weather conditions led to the accumulation of air pollutants in Wuhan after the long-range transport. The contribution from Wuhan and surrounding cities to the PM_2.5 concentrations was determined to be 67.4% during this period. Under the complex regional transport of pollutants from surrounding cities, the NCP, East China, and South China, the five episodes resulted in 30 haze days in Wuhan. The findings reveal important roles played by transregional and intercity transport in haze formation in Wuhan.     

气象条件对上海世博会期间空气质量影响

观测资料显示,2010年世博会期间上海的空气质量为2001年以来同期最优。利用近10年上海近地面气象观测数据、美国环境预报中心NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和中国气象局国家气候中心的环流指数监测数据,分析了有利于空气污染扩散的近地面气象条件及大气环流特征,及其对上海世博会期间空气质量的影响。结果表明:2010年世博会期间,上海近地面东风明显偏多且偏大, 近地层接地逆温明显少于往年, 降水量和降水日数也较常年明显偏多,综合气象条件有利于空气质量的提高。西太平洋副热带高压较常年异常偏大、偏强、偏西,影响上海地区的夏季风更多源自西太平洋副热带高压南侧的偏东气流输送,这为上述区域的东风活跃创造了条件。尽管上海世博会期间的空气质量联防联控措施使得污染排放低于常年,但气象条件不利时,大气环流的输送扩散仍导致了上海世博会期间上海的3次污染事件,这说明气象条件是上海世博会期间空气质量优良的主要影响原因之一。     

2017年8—9月湖州市臭氧污染特征及其生成机制研究

近年来近地面臭氧问题日益凸显,成为影响空气质量持续改善的瓶颈.本研究基于2017年8—9月在湖州市城区开展的为期1个月的臭氧及其前体物挥发性有机物（VOCs）和氮氧化物（NO_x）在线观测数据,分析了臭氧及其前体物污染特征,利用正矩阵因子分析（PMF）解析了VOCs来源,并采用基于观测的模型（OBM）对臭氧生成机制进行研究.研究结果表明：1）观测期间湖州市VOCs平均体积分数为（24.78±9.10）×10^-9,其中占比最高的组成为烷烃、含氧VOCs （OVOCs）和卤代烃;2）在臭氧非超标时段,湖州市臭氧生成处于VOCs控制区,而在臭氧重污染期间湖州市处于以VOCs控制为主的过渡区;3）在臭氧超标时段,对臭氧生成潜势（OFP）贡献最大的是芳香烃（39.6%）,其次是烯烃（21.5%）和OVOCs （19.4%）,排名前三的关键组分为甲苯、乙烯和间/对二甲苯;4）源解析结果显示观测期间湖州市VOCs的主要来源是溶剂使用（27.0%）、交通排放（22.7%）、背景+传输（19.3%）、工业排放（16.9%）、汽油挥发（7.7%）和植物排放（6.4%）,重污染过程期间对OFP贡献最大的两类源是交通排放源和溶剂使用源,贡献百分比分别为35.1%和30.5%.因此,对交通排放和溶剂使用方面进行控制管理对湖州市大气臭氧污染防控有重要意义.     

On large-scale transport of dust storms and anthropogenic dust-falls over east Asia observed in central Korea in 2009

Dust air pollution has been routinely monitored in central Korea for the last two decades. In 2009, there were eight typical episodes of significant dust loadings in the air: four were caused by dust storms from deserts in Mongolia and Northern China, while the remaining were typical cases of anthropogenic air pollution masses arriving from the Yellow Sea and East China. These natural dust loadings occurred with cool northwesterly airflows in the forward side of an intense anticyclone coming from Mongolia and Siberia. The mean concentrations of the four natural dustfall cases for TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 were 632, 480 and 100 μg m^?3, respectively. In contrast, the anthropogenic dust-pollution episodes occurred with the warm westerly and southwesterly airflows in the rear side of an anticyclone. This produced a favorable atmospheric and chemical condition for the build-up of anthropogenic dust air pollution in the Yellow Sea. The mean concentrations of the four anthropogenic dust loadings for TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 were 224, 187 and 137 μg m^?3, respectively. The contents of fine dust loadings of PM2.5 were comparatively high in the cases of anthropogenic air pollution. High atmospheric concentrations of fine particles in the atmosphere cause poor visibility and constitute a health hazard. Satellite observations clearly showed the movement of dust-pollution masses from Mongolia and Northern China and from the Yellow Sea and East China that caused these dust pollution episodes in Korea.     

Human-biometeorological assessment of heat waves in Athens

The goal of this study is the analysis of heat waves and their impact on humans, using human biometeorological indices, which are based on the energy balance of the human body. The implications for humans are not only described through the intensity of the heat waves, but also through their duration over consecutive days. Both intensity and duration were analyzed for the Greater Athens Area during the period 1955 to 2001. The analysis was carried out using the daily physiologically equivalent temperature and the daily minimum air temperature. Based on these two parameters, the results showed an increase in the average duration of heat waves. Furthermore, the use of the Gaussian filter revealed the intra-annual variation of heat stress conditions and their relevance to humans. The results could be used for the management of the negative consequences of heat waves in cities suffering from environmental pollution and also for climate impact studies.     

Synoptic patterns in relation to ozone concentrations in west-central Taiwan

Summary Recent studies have shown that regional orography and synoptic patterns greatly affect ozone concentrations. The orography of certain locations is unfavorable for pollutant dispersion, and specific synoptic patterns in these locations lead to serious air pollution episodes. Frequent ozone episodes (defined as hourly ozone ≥ 120 ppbv) in west-central Taiwan during recent years have generated much concern. High ozone days (defined as hourly ozone ≥ 80 ppbv) are also occurring more frequently. High ozone days occur mainly during autumn, but there has been no clear linear relationship demonstrated between any single meteorological variable and pollutant concentration. In this study, statistical data from 1997–1999 has shown that high ozone levels occur with two types of synoptic patterns. The first type consists of a continental anticyclone emanating from mainland China which is swept towards Taiwan. The second is a tropical low pressure system moving northwards closer to Taiwan. West-central Taiwan is located in the lee of the Central Ranges (altitude of 2500 ∼ 3500 m). These synoptic patterns are unfavorable for pollutant dispersion and cause high ozone days. Received October 14, 2000/Revised January 5, 2001     

2014—2016年开封市空气污染特征及重污染过程气象成因分析

利用2014-2016年高空、地面气象资料和大气环境监测资料,分析了开封市空气质量特征及10次连续性重度污染过程天气形势。结果表明:2014-2016年,开封市空气质量整体呈转好趋势,优良率由53%增加到67%,污染时数由47%下降至33%,轻度污染和中度污染时数下降明显;重污染日主要出现在1月、11月和12月,其中1月出现重污染日和连续性重污染过程次数最多;3年内共出现连续性重污染过程23次,最长持续日数达6 d;开封市重污染天气主要受PM2.5和PM10浓度变化影响,PM2.5和PM10浓度具有明显的季和日变化特征,平均浓度最高值主要出现在秋冬季和09时。重污染过程期间的500 hPa形势中,平直纬向环流型出现次数最多,占总次数的63%;其次为低槽型,出现次数占21%;西北气流型出现次数最少,占16%。地面气压场形势主要分为4类:1)高压前部型,出现重污染次数最多,占总次数的55%;2)均压场型,出现次数占25%;3)低压带型占16%;4)高压后部型出现次数最少,仅占4%。当上游地区有较严重污染时,本地污染物浓度将快速升高,区域传输作用明显。     

Aspects of the occurrence of persistent surface inversions over Athens basin,Greece

Summary In this study the climatology and the effects of persistent nocturnal surface temperature inversions and their relationship to the meteorological processes are discussed. Emphasis is given to the importance of the relevant synoptic situations, the sea-breeze, the stability and the temperature characteristics. The application of some inversions characteristics to local pollution potential is also examined. The results show that many aspects of Athens air quality reflect the pronounced effect of persistent inversions, e.g. the frequency of pollution episodes, the accumulation of pollutants etc.

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Zusammenfassung Vorliegende Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Klimatologie und den Auswirkungen von andauernden nächtlichen Temperaturinversionen in Bodennähe sowie deren Zusammenhang mit meteorologischen Prozessen. Besonderes Augenmerk ist dabei den relevanten synoptischen Bedingungen — der Seebrise, der Stabilität und den Temperaturcharakteristika — gewidmet. Auch die Auswirkungen von manchen Inversionseigenschaften auf das Potential zu örtlicher Luftverschmutzung werden untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß in wesentlichen Aspekten die Luftqualität über Athen die Auswirkungen persistenter Inversionen widerspiegelt, so zum Beispiel in Häufigkeit und Intensität von Luftverschmutzungen.

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With 11 Figures