Subseasonal reversal of haze pollution over the North China Plain

China has been frequently suffering from haze pollution in the past several decades. As one of the most emission-intensive regions, the North China Plain (NCP) features severe haze pollution with multiscale variations. Using more than 30 years of visibility measurements and PM_2.5 observations, a subseasonal seesaw phenomenon of haze in autumn and early winter over the NCP is revealed in this study. It is found that when September and October are less (more) polluted than the climatology, haze tends to be enhanced (reduced) in November and December. The abrupt turn of anomalous haze is found to be associated with the circulation reversal of regional and large-scale atmospheric circulations. Months with poor air quality exhibit higher relative humidity, lower boundary layer height, lower near-surface wind speed, and southerly anomalies of low-level winds, which are all unfavorable for the vertical and horizontal dispersion and transport of air pollutants, thus leading to enhanced haze pollution over the NCP region on the subseasonal scale. Further exploration indicates that the reversal of circulation patterns is closely connected to the propagation of midlatitude wave trains active on the subseasonal time scale, which is plausibly associated with the East Atlantic/West Russia teleconnection synchronizing with the transition of the North Atlantic SST. The seesaw relation discussed in this paper provides greater insight into the prediction of the multiscale variability of haze, as well as the possibility of efficient short-term mitigation of haze to meet annual air quality targets in North China.摘要中国近几十年来频受雾霾污染问题困扰, 其中华北平原作为排放最密集的区域之一, 常遭遇不同尺度的严重雾霾污染. 本文利用30余年的能见度和颗粒物 (PM_2.5) 观测数据, 发现了华北平原地区在秋季和早冬时雾霾污染在次季节尺度上“跷跷板式”反向变化的关系. 研究发现, 当9–10月污染较轻 (重) 时, 11–12月的污染倾向于加重 (减轻) . 这种突然的变化与局地和大尺度环流的反向变化有关. 污染较重的月份常伴随有更高的相对湿度, 更低的边界层高度和近地面风速以及低层的南风异常, 均不利于污染的垂直和水平扩散和传输, 从而导致了次季节尺度上霾污染的加重. 进一步的研究发现环流场的突然转向与在次季节尺度上活跃的中纬度波列的传播密切相关, 而此波列可能主要与大西洋海温转变及引起的EA/WR遥相关型有关. 这一次季节反向变化为霾污染多尺度变率预测提供了新的理解, 同时为华北地区年度空气质量达标的短期目标提供了具有可行性的参考方法.     

The aerosol radiative effect on a severe haze episode in the Yangtze River Delta

Due to increased aerosol emissions and unfavorable weather conditions, severe haze events have occurred frequently in China in the last 10 years. In addition, the interaction between the boundary layer and the aerosol radiative effect may be another important factor in haze formation. To better understand the effect of this interaction, the aerosol radiative effect on a severe haze episode that took place in December 2013 was investigated by using two WRF-Chem model simulations with different aerosol configurations. The results showed that the maximal reduction of regional average surface shortwave radiation, latent heat, and sensible heat during this event were 88, 12, and 37 W m^–2, respectively. The planetary boundary layer height, daytime temperature, and wind speed dropped by 276 m, 1°C, and 0.33 m s^–1, respectively. The ventilation coefficient dropped by 8%–24% for in the central and northwestern Yangtze River Delta (YRD). The upper level of the atmosphere was warmed and the lower level was cooled, which stabilized the stratification. In a word, the dispersion ability of the atmosphere was weakened due to the aerosol radiative feedback. Additional results showed that the PM_2.5 concentration in the central and northwestern YRD increased by 6–18 μg m^–3, which is less than 15% of the average PM_2.5 concentration during the severely polluted period in this area. The vertical profile showed that the PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations increased below 950 hPa, with a maximum increase of 7 and 8 μg m^–3, respectively. Concentrations reduced between 950 and 800 hPa, however, with a maximum reduction of 3.5 and 4.5 μg m^–3, respectively. Generally, the aerosol radiative effect aggravated the level of pollution, but the effect was limited, and this haze event was mainly caused by the stagnant meteorological conditions. The interaction between the boundary layer and the aerosol radiative effect may have been less important than the large-scale static weather conditions for the formation of this haze episode.     

Aerosol Hygroscopicity during the Haze Red-Alert Period in December 2016 at a Rural Site of the North China Plain

A humidification system was deployed to measure aerosol hygroscopicity at a rural site of the North China Plain during the haze red-alert period 17–22 December 2016. The aerosol scattering coefficients under dry [relative humidity (RH) < 30%] and wet (RH in the range of 40%–85%) conditions were simultaneously measured at wavelengths of 450, 550, and 700 nm. It is found that the aerosol scattering coefficient and backscattering coefficient increased by only 29% and 10%, respectively when RH went up from 40% to 80%, while the hemispheric backscatter fraction went down by 14%, implying that the aerosol hygroscopicity represented by the aerosol scattering enhancement factor f(RH) is relatively low and RH exerted little effects on the aerosol light scattering in this case. The scattering enhancement factors do not show significant differences at the three wavelengths, only with an approximate 2% variation, suggesting that the aerosol hygroscopicity is independent of the wavelength. Aerosol hygroscopicity is highly dependent on the aerosol chemical composition. When there is a large mass fraction of inorganics and a small mass fraction of organic matter, f(RH) reaches a high value. The fraction of NO₃^– was strongly correlated with the aerosol scattering coefficient at RH = 80%, which suggests that NO₃^– played an important role in aerosol hygroscopic growth during the heavy pollution period.     

Comparison of Submicron Particles at a Rural and an Urban Site in the North China Plain during the December 2016 Heavy Pollution Episodes

An extensive field experiment for measurement of physical and chemical properties of aerosols was conducted at an urban site in the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences (CAMS) in Beijing and at a rural site in Gucheng (GC), Hebei Province in December 2016. This paper compares the number size distribution of submicron particle matter (PM1, diameter < 1 μm) between the two sites. The results show that the mean PM1 number concentration at GC was twice that at CAMS, and the mass concentration was three times the amount at CAMS. It is found that the accumulation mode (100–850 nm) particles constituted the largest fraction of PM1 at GC, which was significantly correlated with the local coal combustion, as confirmed by a significant relationship between the accumulation mode and the absorption coefficient of soot particles. The high PM1 concentration at GC prevented the occurrence of new particle formation (NPF) events, while eight such events were observed at CAMS. During the NPF events, the mass fraction of sulfate increased significantly, indicating that sulfate played an important role in NPF. The contribution of regional transport to PM1 mass concentration was approximately 50% at both sites, same as that of the local emission. However, during the red-alert period when emission control took place, the contribution of regional transport was notably higher.     

气溶胶辐射效应在华东地区一次雾霾过程中的作用

利用WRF/Chem(Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with Chemistry)模拟了2013年12月华东地区一次雾、霾事件气溶胶辐射反馈效应对气象场和大气质量的影响。通过3个不同气溶胶浓度设置的试验区分气溶胶浓度不同辐射效应的影响。比较不同试验得出,本次雾、霾过程中,不论是气溶胶直接、半直接辐射效应还是间接效应均使污染地区短波辐射减少、2 m气温下降、大气边界层高度降低,不利于水汽与污染物的扩散,空气污染进一步加重,雾结构进一步稳定,并使雾的持续时间延长,发展高度更高;对于化学场来说,气溶胶直接、半直接辐射效应使污染地区PM_(2.5)浓度增大、消光系数增大、氮氧化物浓度增大,臭氧浓度降低;间接辐射效应使PM_(2.5)浓度和消光系数进一步增大,氮氧化物、臭氧浓度降低。综上所述,气溶胶辐射效应能使大气污染加重,并利于雾的发生、发展。     

华北平原一次大雾天气过程的数值模拟

应用非静力平衡中尺度模式MM5V3,模拟分析了2005年11月19-21日发生在华北平原的一次大雾天气过程.结果表明,本次大雾是发生在相对稳定的大气环流背景下的辐射雾.模拟的天气形势与实况基本一致,模拟雾在范围、强度、生消时间等方面基本反映了实际大雾的生消变化规律.近地层逆温的维持和充沛的水汽条件对雾层长时间维持起着重要作用.诊断分析表明,大雾维持期间,雾区近地面层处在弱的水汽辐合区;900 hPa以上为辐散区和负涡度区,整层大气中下沉运动占主导,大规模的下沉辐散运动有利于中低层大气增温,与近地层的辐射降温相配合,有助于边界层内形成逆温;冷暖平流的作用也有助于逆温形成;地面和大气的长波辐射冷却,是最主要的降温因子;太阳短波辐射是导致大雾减轻及日变化的主要原因.     

Intensified haze formation and meteorological feedback by complex terrain in the North China Plain region

The North China Plain has been suffering from severe haze pollution in the past few decades. In addition to rapid urbanization and intensive anthropogenic emissions, the complex terrain in this region greatly influences the atmospheric circulation, thereby weakening the ventilation of air pollutants. Nevertheless, the vertical responses of surface-emitted pollutants to the gradient of the terrain and its impact on secondary aerosol formation, as well as its interaction with boundary layer meteorology, have not yet been fully understood. Here, in-situ observations and satellite retrievals together with meteorology–chemistry coupled modeling are integrated to shed light on the terrain effects on atmospheric chemistry and its interaction with physical processes. It is found that the blocking effect of the terrain can result in haze accumulation over the plains and updrafts of pollution along the mountains. Long-term averaged PM_2.5 concentrations show that nearly 70% of plain stations exceeded 75 µg m⁻³, compared with only 12% of high-altitude stations. In the highly polluted month of January 2018, the pollution layer was simulated to be elevated to an altitude of over 2 km. A higher oxidizing capacity in the upper boundary layer tends to accelerate secondary aerosol formation. Furthermore, the elevated pollution layer and the intense secondary formation due to the terrain effects jointly enhanced the aerosol–boundary layer interaction, weakening the vertical dispersion and further deteriorating the air pollution. This study highlights that there are intensified interactions between atmospheric chemistry and physics near complex terrain, which may substantially contribute to haze pollution in China.摘要华北平原地区冬季雾霾污染频发, 本研究结合地面观测, 卫星反演和大气动力-化学耦合模拟发现, 该地区复杂地形加剧了细颗粒物污染及其与大气边界层之间的相互作用. 一方面, 复杂地形导致污染在山麓平原积聚, 加强迎风坡上升气流. 在污染事件中, 污染层易被抬升至1–2公里高度, 高空较强的氧化能力利于二次气溶胶生成; 另一方面, 地形导致的污染层抬升和二次生成进一步加强气溶胶-边界层相互作用, 削弱垂直扩散并加剧近地面大气污染.     

华北平原对流风暴的个例分析

应用较详细的卫星云图,多普勒雷达和探空资料对一次强对流风暴进行了综合分析研究,得出了具有一定特色的对流单体组合与垂直结构图象。     

Simulation of the radiative effect of black carbon aerosols and the regional climate responses over China

As part of the development work of the Chinese new regional climate model (RIEMS), the radiative process of black carbon (BC) aerosols has been introduced into the original radiative procedures of RIEMS,and the transport model of BC aerosols has also been established and combined with the RIEMS model.Using the new model system, the distribution of black carbon aerosols and their radiative effect over the China region are investigated. The influences of BC aerosole on the atmospheric radiative transfer and on the air temperature, land surface temperature, and total rainfall are analyzed. It is found that BC aerosols induce a positive radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), which is dominated by shortwave radiative forcing. The maximum radiative forcing occurs in North China in July and in South China in April. At the same time, negative radiative forcing is observed on the surface. Based on the radiative forcing comparison between clear sky and cloudy sky, it is found that cloud can enforce the TOA positive radiative forcing and decrease the negative surface radiative forcing. The responses of the climate system in July to the radiative forcing due to BC aerosols are the decrease in the air temperature in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River and Huaihe area and most areas of South China, and the weak increase or decrease in air temperature over North China. The total rainfall in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River area is increased, but it decreased in North China in July.     

"04.12"华北大到暴雪过程切变线的动力诊断

利用地面实测资料和MM5模式输出产品,对2004年12月20~22日发生在华北地区的大到暴雪天气过程的切变线进行了动力诊断分析,结果表明:此次暴雪过程与中尺度切变线的发展东移直接关联。涡度诊断表明:正涡度区的演变与切变线的发展、东移和北抬密切相关,正涡度区内“正涡度核”对预报强降雪的出现有先兆指示意义。涡度、散度垂直剖面图显示,涡度、散度场的空间配置极有利于暴雪切变线发展及暴雪形成与维持。湿相对位涡和涡度变率诊断揭示,涡度变率强度与中低空的条件对称不稳定密切相关;暴雪区上空从低层到高层存在的湿位涡负值中心是造成中低层涡度变率增大及暴雪增幅的重要原因之一;而涡度变率较涡度更能准确反映切变线发生发展的物理机制。     

中国地区边界层大气气溶胶辐射吸收特性

采用粒子采样法对中国２３个地区边界层气溶胶的吸收系数作了测量,研究了其分布特征。结果表明：中国地区边界层气溶胶的吸收系数在１０＾－６－１０＾－３ｍ＾－１之间,明显呈北高南低的趋势,四川盆地和贵州有一相对较高的中心,吸收系数与粒子含量之间的相关系数为０．７４,吸收系数与粒子含量的分布一致性较好。小颗粒的吸收性能好于大颗粒。     

2013年1月华北地区重雾霾过程及其成因的模拟分析

2013年1月11~14日,华北地区经历重雾霾过程。为了探讨其形成原因,利用大气化学模式系统Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)-Chem模拟2013年1月华北地区气溶胶的时空变化。模拟的能见度、气象要素(温度、湿度、降水、风速和风向)以及细颗粒物(PM2.5,大气中直径≤2.5μm的颗粒物)地表浓度的时间变化与近地面观测值都较为吻合。模拟结果表明,1月11~14日,细颗粒物高值分布于河北省南部和东部、天津地区以及北京地区,其日均值约为400~500μg m–3。通过与历史气候数据比较发现,2013年1月10~15日华北地区的气象条件表现为较大的相对湿度正距平(20%~40%)以及风速的负距平(-1 m s–1)。北京站点的探空数据还表明,在1月11~13日期间,垂直方向上,1 km以下的大气中存在明显的逆温层,并且湿度保持较高的值(80%~90%)。模拟结果表明,1月11~14日,近地面南向风和东向风将水汽输送到华北地区,上层大气(850hPa)的西北风则将沙尘输送到华北地区。以上气象条件有利于气溶胶的吸湿增长和浓度的聚集。硝酸盐的收支分析表明,在北京地区,与1~9日相比,10~14日夜间化学生成和传输的显著增加都贡献于硝酸盐浓度,是重雾霾形成的主要原因。     

华北中部夏季气溶胶和云分布特征

气溶胶与云的垂直分布特征是气溶胶间接气候效应关注的重点。基于2018年7—8月华北中部6架次飞机观测数据,研究气溶胶和云滴的垂直和水平分布特征。结果表明:华北中部780~5687 m高度内气溶胶数浓度( Na )平均值为821.36 cm-3,最大量级可达到104 cm-3,云中气溶胶数浓度(Nacc)占总颗粒浓度的80%以上,表明细颗粒占大多数,气溶胶粒子算术平均直径( Dm )平均值为0.12~0.52 μm;大气层结对气溶胶垂直分布影响较大,逆温阻挡气溶胶垂直输送,高空(高度2000 m以上) Dm 的垂直分布受到相对湿度影响较大; Na 和 Dm 在垂直方向波动较大,水平方向波动较小;低层云中云滴数浓度(Nc)较大、液态水含量(L)较小,而中层和高层云中Nc较小、L较大,Nc和云滴有效半径(Re)的概率密度函数均为双峰型分布,L的概率密度函数为单峰型分布;气溶胶数浓度谱基本呈现多峰型分布,而云滴数浓度谱多呈现单峰型分布。     

2013年1月华北平原重霾成因模拟分析

2013年1月华北平原出现了罕见的重污染天气过程,并引发连续多天大范围重霾现象。利用中华人民共和国环境保护部公布的空气污染指数日值数据和气象常规观测数据,结合区域空气质量模式系统RAMS-CMAQ的模拟结果,对1月10~15日污染过程的气象要素和关键气溶胶物种时空分布特征进行了详细分析,并对灰霾成因进行了探讨。结果表明,受本次污染过程影响的区域主要分布在北京-天津-唐山、河北省中南部和山东省大部。这些地区细颗粒物(即PM2.5)日均质量浓度超过120μg m–3,且基本被灰霾覆盖,日均能见度在5~8 km之间。其中在北京、天津、石家庄和济南市及周边地区细颗粒物日均质量浓度可达250~300μg m–3,部分市区可超过300μg m–3,而日均能见度则可下降至3 km以下,形成重度灰霾。此外,对气象场的分析显示,本次污染过程期间华北平原大部分地区水平风速较多年平均值偏小约20%,且有明显逆温层覆盖,北京-天津-唐山、河北省南部和山东省北部的相对湿度则较多年平均值偏高达10%~40%。这样的气象条件不仅造成污染物易于堆积,而且有利于吸湿性粒子消光效应的快速增长,使能见度明显下降,是引发灰霾的重要因素之一。在北京地区引发灰霾的主要气溶胶物种为硫酸盐、硝酸盐和铵盐,这3种无机盐对近地面的消光贡献比率达到50%以上。其中硝酸盐的消光贡献比率最高,可达总体效应的1/4,表明在这次污染过程中除相关工业源排放外,交通源排放也是北京地区主要的污染源之一。     

Effects of additional HONO sources on visibility over the North China Plain

The objective of the present study was to better understand the impacts of the additional sources of nitrous acid （HONO） on visibility, which is an aspect not considered in current air quality models. Simulations of HONO contributions to visibility over the North China Plain （NCP） during August 2007 using the fully coupled Weather Research and Forecasting/Chemistry （WRF/Chem） model were performed, including three additional HONO sources： （1） the reaction of photo-excited nitrogen dioxide （NO~） with water vapor; （2） the NO2 heterogeneous reaction on aerosol surfaces; and （3） HONO emissions. The model generally reproduced the spatial patterns and diurnal variations of visibility over the NCP well. When the additional HONO sources were included in the simulations, the visibility was occasionally decreased by 20%-30% （3-4 km） in local urban areas of the NCP. Monthly-mean concentrations of NO3, NH＋, SO]- and PM2.5 were increased by 20%-52% （3-11μg m-3）, 10%-38%, 6%-10%, and 6%-11% （9-17 μg m-3）, respectively; and in urban areas, monthly-mean accumulation- mode number concentrations （AMNC） and surface concentrations of aerosols were enhanced by 15%-20% and 10%-20%, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that increases in concentrations of PM2.5, its hydrophilic components, and AMNC, are key factors for visibility degradation. A proposed conceptual model for the impacts of additional HONO sources on visibility also suggests that visibility estimation should consider the heterogeneous reaction on aerosol surfaces and the enhanced atmospheric oxidation capacity due to additional HONO sources, especially in areas with high mass concentrations of NOx and aerosols.     

关于硝酸盐气溶胶光学特征和辐射强迫的研究进展

在过去的20多年里,中外对硫酸盐气溶胶做了大量的研究,对它在大气中的排放、含量、光学特征和辐射强迫有了深入的认识;由于硝酸盐气溶胶在大气中平均含量比硫酸盐低很多,因此过去人们对硝酸盐的研究没有给予重视。然而,近年来的研究表明,硝酸盐气溶胶的散射性质在某些波段甚至强于硫酸盐;同时,由于未来对人为硫酸盐前体物的减排,硫酸盐气溶胶排放会大幅度减少,而硝酸盐气溶胶的排放却增长迅速,其在人为气溶胶中所占的比重越来越高,将会导致其在未来造成的辐射强迫有可能超过硫酸盐,使得其在地区范围内和季节尺度上成为重要的辐射强迫和气候影响因子。中国是硝酸盐气溶胶排放量较大的地区,硝酸盐对未来中国气候和气候变化的影响显得越来越重要。因此,就近年来有关硝酸盐气溶胶的排放和在大气中的浓度变化、光学厚度分布特征及其辐射强迫的研究进展做了回顾和介绍,并对其未来的研究做了展望。     

Origin of calcium in aerosols over the western North Pacific

Weekly aerosol samples were collected from March 1981 to June 1983 at the six stations in the western North Pacific region and analyzed for Ca and Na. By coupling data with those previously reported for Al (Tsunogai et al., 1985), the following results and conclusion have been obtained. There was a positive correlation between the atmospheric concentration of Al and the concentration of nonsea salt Ca (nssCa). The nssCa/Al ratios from the six stations, however, considerably varied (from 0.84±0.36 to 3.00±1.91), and the ratios were usally larger than those of the crustal average or of usual soil in Japan. The Ca/Al ratios of Asian desert soil and loess vary from 0.52 to 1.29, which are similar to the nssCa/Al ratios of aerosols in the surface air over the western North Pacific region except at Onna, Okinawa. The exception may be due to a local effect of coral. These results suggest that a large part of nonsea salt Ca in the surface air over the western North Pacific is derived from arid regions in Asia and that the nssCa/Al ratio in aerosol varies with that of the source material.