Multiple pulses in dE/dt and the fine-structure of E during the onset of first return strokes in cloud-to-ocean lightning

We have analyzed the fine-structure of 131 electric field (E) waveforms that were radiated during the onset of first return strokes in cloud-to-ocean lightning. The dE/dt waveforms were recorded using an 8-bit waveform digitizer sampling at 100 MHz, and the E waveforms were sampled at 10 MHz using a 10-bit digitizer. 49 (or 37%) of the dE/dt waveforms contain one or more large pulses within ± 1 μs of the largest (or dominant) peak in dE/dt, i.e. within an interval from − 1 μs to + 1 μs, where t = 0 μs is the time of the dominant peak, and 37 (or 28%) have one or more large pulses in the interval from 4 μs before to 1 μs before the dominant peak, i.e. − 4 μs to − 1 μs, and only the dominant peak within ± 1 μs . We give statistics on the amplitude and timing of dE/dt pulses that are near the dominant peak, and we show how the presence of these pulses adds considerable fine-structure to the shape of E_int, the integrated dE/dt waveform, on a time-scale of tens to hundreds of nanoseconds. This fine-structure includes fast pulses near the beginning of the slow front, large pulses and shoulders within the slow front and during the fast-transition, and very narrow peaks in E_int. Our overall conclusion is that the electromagnetic environment near the point(s) where lightning leaders attach to the surface is often more complicated than what would be produced by a single current pulse propagating up a single channel at the time of onset.     

Changes of cloud water chemical composition in the Western Sudety Mountains, Poland

The changing chemical composition of cloud water and precipitation in the Western Sudety Mountains are discussed against the background of air-pollution changes in the Black Triangle since the 1980s until September 2004. A marked reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions between the early 1990's and the present (from almost 2 million tons to around 0.2 million tons) has been observed, with a substantial decline of sulphate and hydrogen concentration in cloud water (SO₄²⁻ from more than 200 to around 70 μmol l^− 1; H⁺ from 150 to 50 μmol l^− 1) and precipitation (SO₄²⁻ from around 80 to 20–30 μmol l^− 1; H⁺ from around 60 to 10–15 μmol l^− 1) samples. At some sites, where fog/cloud becomes the major source of pollutants, deposition hot spots are still observed where, for example, nitrogen deposition can exceed 20 times the relevant critical load. The results show that monitoring of cloud water chemistry can be a sensitive indicator of pollutant emissions.     

An airborne two-stage impactor for chemical analysis of size-segregated cloud drops

Aqueous concentrations of ionic species observed in cloud water studies often have been in conflict with expectations from model predictions. These inconsistencies result from the size-dependent chemical composition of cloud drops during different stages in the lifetime of a cloud. To study this phenomenon, droplets of clouds need to be collected in different size ranges with high resolution in space and time. The only possibility for this kind of study is the use of an aircraft. Therefore, during the last several years, an attempt was made to develop a mobile cascade impactor, which can be installed outside an aircraft. The cloud water sampled in different size fractions can be transferred into the interior of the aircraft during the measuring flight. The collector is able to sample two size fractions. For continental clouds, the cutoffs are chosen to be >5 and >13.5 μm in diameter. For maritime clouds, the cutoff for the first stage could be shifted to 18.6 μm by lowering the nozzle speed. Prior to field application, the collector was characterized with the aid of “calibration fogs” produced in the laboratory with different drop sizes and different chemical compositions. The characterization included the examination of the cutoffs and the reliability of the sampling procedure with regard to the subsequent chemical analysis. With a collection period of 2 min, collection rates in the order of 0.1–1 cm³ min⁻¹ can be obtained. The collector characterized in this manner was successfully used during measuring flights in clouds over northern Germany. Preliminary concentrations of NH₄⁺, SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻ found in the two size fractions of the cloud drops are presented.     

Characteristics of negative lightning flashes presenting multiple-ground terminations on a millisecond-scale

By using a high-speed video camera system (1000 frames s^− 1) in correlation with fast and slow antenna systems, the negative cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes that struck the ground with more than one termination have been analyzed. This kind of stroke, named as multiple-ground terminations stroke (MGTS), was produced by different branches of the same stepped leader during quite a short time. Based on optical images, the 2D progression speed of leader branches was estimated to be in the range (0.9–2.0) × 10⁵ m s^− 1. The distance between adjacent striking points of MGTS was from 0.2 km to 1.9 km. The percentage of flashes with multiple-ground terminations occupied about 15% (9 out of 59) of the total negative CG flashes, with a range of 11%–20% in different areas in China. The time intervals between the two adjacent peaks ranged from 4 μs to 486 μs based on the E-field change caused by the MGTS. The flashes which had multiple striking points on the ground during quite a short time may be a common phenomenon in the lightning discharge process. It might produce more serious damage to facilities on the ground and should not be neglected in the design of lightning protection.     

Major ionic composition of precipitation in the Nam Co region, Central Tibetan Plateau

A total of 48 precipitation samples have been collected from individual precipitation events at the Nam Co Monitoring and Research Station for Multisphere Interactions (Nam Co Station, 30°47′N, 90°58′E; 4730 m a.s.l) located in the central Tibetan Plateau from August 2005 to August 2006. All samples were analyzed for major cations (NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻), conductivity and pH. Precipitation pH values ranged from 6.03 to 7.38 with an average value of 6.59. The high pH is due to large inputs of crustal aerosols in the atmosphere, which contain a large fraction of carbonate. Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation in precipitation with an average value of 65.58 μeq L^− 1 (4.91–301.41 μeq L^− 1), accounting for 54% of the total cations in precipitation. HCO₃⁻ is the predominant anion, accounting for 62% of the total anions. When compared with data from a snow pit in the Zhadang Glacier 50 km away (5800 m a.s.l), major ion concentration in precipitation at the Nam Co Station is much higher due to local aerosol inputs. Correlation and empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis indicate that regional crustal aerosols and species from combustion emissions of residents are the major sources for these ions, lake salt aerosols from the Nam Co nearby and regional mineral aerosols from dry lake sediments are secondary sources, and sea salt contribution is the least due to the long distance transport.     

PM10 and heavy metal measurements in an industrial area of southern Italy

Atmospheric particulate concentrations and heavy metal content are measured from March to July 2001 at an industrial site located in a rural zone of the southern Italy. PM₁₀ samples are collected by a low-volume sampler and each sample is analysed by AAS techniques for its content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. We measure also temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity, and we collect anemometric data. The study purpose is the investigation of pollutant levels in an industrial area located in a rather unpolluted region and the characterization of the correlation structure among particulate concentrations, heavy metal content and local meteorological parameters. Data analysis is carried out by means of univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In the investigated period, the average value of PM₁₀ daily concentrations (24 μg Nm^− 3) does not exceed the national standard of 40 μg Nm^− 3 and only nine values are higher than the European daily limit value of 50 μg Nm^− 3. Particularly, the occurrence of two anomalous values (183 μg Nm^− 3 in 3 March and 94 μg Nm^− 3 in 22 June) seems to be related to no-local events as confirmed both by in situ data measured in the AQM network of Potenza city (about 10 km far from the study area) and by remote measurements performed in the same days. Regarding the heavy metal levels, we observe high levels of Cr (34 ng Nm^− 3), Ni (85 ng Nm^− 3) and Zn (214 ng Nm^− 3) in agreement with the local industrial source pattern. The multivariate analysis, carried out using meteorological parameters as exogenous variables, allow to evaluate the role of the different variables as driving factors of the correlation structure among the metals.     

Physicochemical properties of fine aerosols at Plan d'Aups during ESCOMPTE

The physical and chemical properties of aerosol particles were investigated at Plan d'Aups, one of the ESCOMPTE sites located in the St. Baume mountain area (700 m a.s.l.), 50 km east of Marseilles (France). The site is ideally located for assessing the vertical and horizontal extent of the pollution plume from the Marseilles–Berre area.Our study showed that polluted air masses from the Marseilles–Berre area are advected to Plan d'Aups in the early afternoon. Average daily concentration of particles reaches up to 40 μg m⁻³ while 1-h average particle number concentration is greater than 30,000 cm⁻³. Most of the particle mass is composed of SO₄²⁻ and organic carbon (OC). The chemical properties of the particles revealed that an additional source, possibly from the industrial area of Gardanne, contributes to the aerosol mass. This last source is characterised by significant emissions of elements, such as Zn, V, Al and Si.In addition to transport, we found that gas-to-particle conversion takes place at the interface between the free troposphere and the boundary layer. We estimated that on average, 30% of the particle number is accounted for by direct nucleation. This is potentially a major aerosol source to the free troposphere.     

Traffic aerosols (18 nm particle size 18 μm) source apportionment during the winter period

In November 2004–January 2005, a micro orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) and a Nanometer (nanometer)-MOUDI were used in the center of Taiwan to measure particle size (18 nm particle size 18 μm) distributions of atmospheric aerosols at a traffic site during the winter period. The average Mass in Media Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) of suspended particles is 0.99 μm this study. As for the ultra fine and nanometer (nanometer) particle mode, the composition order for these major ions species was SO₄²⁻ NH₄⁺ NO₃⁻ Mg²⁺ Ca²⁺ Na⁺ K⁺ Cl⁻. An ion Chromatography (DIONEX-100) was used to analyze major anion species, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ and cation species, NH₄⁺Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺Mg²⁺. Their concentrations were also extracted from various particles size modes (nanometer (nanometer), ultra fine, fine and coarse). The results obtained in this study also indicated that the average portions for the major ionic species (SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺ and Mg²⁺) in the nanometer (nanometer), ultra fine, fine and coarse particulate modes are about 34%, 37%, 63% and 30%, respectively at this traffic sampling site during the winter period.     

The microstructure of selected, small, isolated, cumulus clouds near Red Deer, Alberta

Physical experiments designed to explore the potential of rain augmentation through airborne glaciogenic seeding on small, isolated non-precipitating cumuliform clouds near Red Deer, Alberta were carried out during the period 1982–1985. The microstructure of 90 cumulus congestus clouds have been documented through repeated in-situ sampling using a cloud physics instrumented aircraft platform. Observations from the inspection passes of 57 clouds seeded with either dry ice pellets or silver iodide pyrotechnics, and all the passes of 33 natural clouds are presented.Measurements of the cloud droplet concentration indicate that Alberta cumulus clouds are typically continental in nature, with an average droplet concentration of 535 cm⁻³ and an average droplet diameter of 10.6 μm. Alberta clouds have average liquid water contents of 0.57 g m⁻³, with a peak 1-sec value of 3.17 g m⁻³. The 1-km average liquid water contents are 0.83 g m⁻³, with a peak value of 2.81 g m⁻³. Cloud lifetimes vary between 11 and 20 minutes. Concentrations of naturally occurring ice crystals are found to be low. The average maximum 1-km ice concentration was 31⁻¹, and the peak 1-km concentration was 73.11⁻¹ in the natural cloud dataset. Evidence of precipitation-sized particles was detected in 21% (7 of 33) of the clouds, and precipitation below cloud base was detected in 6% (2 of 33) of the clouds.A comparison of the Alberta cloud characteristics to the cumulus clouds from different locations showed that there are some distinct differences between Alberta clouds and the clouds from the other regions.     

Determination of nitrogen dioxide in ambient air employing diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

This paper presents the development of a simple and precise analytical method for the determination of nitrogen dioxide in ambient air. In this method nitrogen dioxide is determined in the form of nitrite. The determination of nitrogen dioxide needs no reagents except for a solution of sodium hydroxide mixed with sodium arsenite (NaOH–Na₂As₂O₃) which is used as an absorbing reagent for trapping the nitrogen dioxide from the atmosphere in the form of nitrite, i.e., a prior analysis step. The determination of submicrogram levels of nitrogen dioxide is based on the selection of a strong and sharp quantitative analytical peak at 1380 cm^− 1 using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRS-FTIR). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification of the method are found to be 0.008 μg g^− 1 NO₂⁻ and 0.05 μg g^− 1 NO₂⁻, respectively. The precision in terms of standard deviation and relative standard deviation value at a level of 2 μg NO₂⁻ / 0.1 g KBr for n = 10 is found to be 0.036 μg NO₂⁻ and 1.8%, respectively. The relative standard deviation (n = 10) for the determination of nitrogen dioxide in ambient air was observed to be in the range 2.6–3.8%. The method proposed is time-saving and eliminates the slow and cumbersome steps of pH maintenance of the reaction mixture and color formation of the EPA recommended spectrophotometric and other methods for quantitative determination of nitrogen dioxide.     

Changes in scavenging of particles by droplets due to weak electrification in clouds

Electrical charges on aerosol particles and droplets modify the droplet–particle collision efficiencies involved in scavenging, and the droplet–droplet and particle–particle collision efficiencies involved in coalescence of droplets and particles, even in only weakly electrified clouds and aerosol layers. This work places electrically enhanced scavenging, and the electrical inhibition of scavenging in the context of the microphysics of weakly electrified clouds.Collision efficiencies are calculated by numerical integration to obtain particle trajectories, that are determined by the complex interplay of electrical, gravitational and phoretic forces together with inertia. These modify the trajectory of a particle as it is carried by flow around the falling droplet. Conversely, the flow around the particle also modifies the trajectory of the droplet. The flows are specified analytically, using a hybrid of the Proudman–Pearson stream function for that region close to the droplet or particle, where it is accurate, merging into the exact Oseen stream function for larger distances, where that becomes accurate. The effect of the flow around the particle on the motion of the droplet was simulated using Langmuir's superposition technique on the hybrid stream functions. The treatment of inertia in the present calculations allows an extension of the scope of our previous work by a factor of 10 larger in particle size (10³ in mass). The coverage is extended to a wide range of atmospheric conditions and particle densities.The pressures and temperatures used in the models ranged from a representation of the lower troposphere at  1 km altitude (900 hPa, 10 °C) to that of the middle stratosphere at  30 km altitude (12 hPa, − 47 °C). The particles considered range from 0.1 μm to 10 μm radius; the droplet radii range from 4 μm to 50 μm; particle densities range from 300 kg m^− 3 to 2500 kg m^− 3; particle charges range from 2e to 100e with droplet charges of like sign of 100e; and relative humidities range from 10% to 100%.For the larger particles (radii greater than about 3 μm) interacting with the larger droplets (radii greater than about 15 μm) the effects of inertia increase with particle density and dominate at the larger densities. For particles with radii in the range 1–3 μm the ‘Greenfield Gap’ of very low collision efficiencies was found, and was determined to be due to the effects of the gravitational force causing a reduction of collisions of particles with the front of the droplet, and the effect of inertia overcoming the tendency for the weight to produce a collision in the slow velocity region in the rear. When the electrical or phoretic forces are sufficiently large the Greenfield Gap is closed.When the particles have radii < 3 μm inertial effects no longer dominate the collisions, although inertia modifies the weight effects for particles with radii down to about 0.5 μm. For charged aerosol particles with radii smaller than about 0.1 μm interacting with droplets or background aerosol particles smaller than a radius of about 15 μm, the long range electrical repulsive force is effective in opposing the phoretic forces and keeping the particle out of range of the short range attractive image force. Thus ‘electroscavenging’ gives way to ‘electroprotection’ against the scavenging or coagulation processes otherwise caused by Browninan diffusion or phoretic forces.In an atmosphere of temperature 10 °C and pressure 900 hPa the net phoretic force reduces to zero and becomes repulsive for particles with radii above about 2 μm (depending on particle conductivity). This enhances the development of the Greenfield Gap. However, the value of this radius (at which the net phoretic force is zero) increases strongly with decreasing temperature and pressure (increasing altitude) as expected from theory, and is about 5 μm in the middle troposphere and more than 10 μm in the stratosphere. Thus a net attractive phoretic force on particles extends into the 1–3 μm radius range in the upper troposphere; however, the weight and inertial effects can ensure the presence of the Greenfield Gap in that range for 2000 kg m^− 3 particles up to the middle stratosphere.     

不同高度建筑物上的下行地闪回击特征

为了研究不同高度建筑物上发生的下行地闪回击特征差异,对2009—2012年广州高建筑物雷电观测试验中获取的能确认接地点高度的58次下行负极性地闪的综合同步观测资料进行对比分析。结果表明:接地点高度小于等于200m和接地点高度大于200m两类地闪的回击次数和回击间隔时间的差异不明显,但接地点高度大于200m的地闪的首次回击电流幅值、继后回击电流幅值、首次回击光强脉冲的10%~90%波前时间及10%波前~50%波后半宽时间、继后回击光强脉冲的10%~90%波前时间及10%波前~50%波后半宽时间的算术平均值 (几何平均值) 分别为接地点高度小于等于200 m地闪的1.8(2.1),1.5(1.4),7.4(7.4),3.1(3.4),4.6(4.3) 和2.4(3.6) 倍。     

Simultaneous optical and electrical observations on the initial processes of altitude-triggered negative lightning

Using a high-speed camera system and two electric field antenna systems, we have documented the initial processes of an altitude-triggered negative lightning (ATNL). The optical records clearly show that ATNL begins with the inception and propagation of an upward positive leader (UPL) and then a simultaneous propagation of UPL and downward negative leader (DNL), known as the bidirectional leader process, follows. Based on the optical records, it is inferred that (1) the triggering height is about 371 m; (2) the two-dimensional (2D) propagation speed of the UPL in its inception phase is about 3.8–5.5 × 10⁴ m s^− 1 during its propagation from about 393 to 452 m above the ground; (3) the grey levels of the DNL are about one order of magnitude higher than that of the UPL in their inception phase; (4) a discharge phenomenon propagating along the elevated triggering wire part of the lightning channel occurs after the mini-return stroke (MRS), with a 2D propagation speed of about 1.6–2.0 × 10⁵ m s^− 1. Combined with the simultaneous electric field change records, it is further inferred that (1) the UPL incepts about 932 μs earlier than the unstable DNL and about 4.1 ms earlier than the stable DNL; (2) the unstable DNL propagates downward intermittently three times with a time interval of about 1 ms, and each propagation contains a different number of steps with an average step length of about 7 m; (3) the stable DNL incepts at the tip of the unstable one, with a 2D propagation speed of about 1.9 × 10⁵ m s^− 1, an average step length of about 3 m, and a stepping time interval varying from 6 to 31 µs with a mean value of 15 µs.     

Black carbon relationships with emissions and meteorology in Xi'an, China

Aerosol black carbon (BC) was measured every 5 min at Xi'an, China from September 2003 to August 2005. Daily BC concentrations ranged from 2 to 65 μg m^− 3, averaging 14.7 ± 9.5 μg m^− 3 and displayed clear summer minima and winter maxima. BC typically peaked between 0800 and 1000 LST and again between 2000 and 2200 LST, corresponding with morning and evening traffic combined with nighttime residential cooking and heating. The nocturnal peak was especially evident in winter, when more domestic heating is used and pollutant-trapping surface-inversions form earlier than in summer. BC frequency distributions the most commonly occurring concentrations occurred between 5 and 10 μg m^− 3 in all four seasons. BC ranged from 1.6% and 15.6%, and averaged 8.3% of PM_2.5. A clear inverse relationship between BC and wind speed (WS) was found when WS was below 2.5 to 3.0 m s^− 1, implying a local origin for BC. Mixed layer depths (MLDs) were shallower during BC episodes compared to cleaner conditions.     

Short-wave radiation flux divergence in arctic cirrus: a case study

Radiation and particle measurements have been performed with an aircraft in deep cirrus cloud fields near the island of Svalbard. The data of 12 March 1993, when measurements at 10 different levels could be obtained, are used in a comparative study with radiative transfer calculations. In a first analysis, the cirrus cloud field was assumed to be horizontally homogeneous and invariable during the time of measurements (frozen properties). Calculations of the up and downward radiative flux densities showed root mean square differences of 9 Wm⁻² from the measurements. To estimate the possible effect of changes of the optical properties of cirrus with time, the flux densities in the upper part (6000–8500 m) and the lower part (3000–5500 m) of the cirrus cloud were analyzed separately. In these simulations, the optical thickness in the lower (upper) part was increased (decreased) by 50%. By this treatment, most of all calculated flux densities were within one standard deviation of the natural variability in each leg. Finally, the effect of inhomogeneities in the cloud field on the solar flux density has been simulated using a Monte Carlo method, since the upper part of the cirrus field has indeed been very inhomogeneous. This paper is a result of a collaborative effort between the MRI in Tsukuba, Japan, and the GKSS in Geesthacht, Germany.     

Coastal CCN measurements at Mace Head with enhanced concentrations in strong winds

Surface measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentration (cm⁻³) are presented for unmodified marine air and for polluted air at Mace Head, for the years 1994 and 1995. The CCN number concentration active at 0.5% supersaturation is found to be approximately log-normal for marine and polluted air at the site. Values of geometric mean, median and arithmetic mean of CCN number concentration (cm⁻³) for marine air are in the range 124–135, 140–150 and 130–157 for the two years of data. Analysis of CCN number concentration for high wind speed, U, up to 20 m s⁻¹ show enhanced CCN production for U in excess of about 10–12 m s⁻¹. Approximately 7% increase in CCN per 1 m s⁻¹ increase in wind speed is found, up to 17 m s⁻¹. A relationship of the form log₁₀CCN=a+bU is obtained for the periods March 1994 and January, February 1995 for marine air yielding values a of 1.70; 1.90 and b of 0.035 for both periods.     

Pollutant concentrations in fog and low cloud water at selected sites of the Czech Republic

In this paper, the basic composition of fog and low cloud water are presented, resulting from the analyses of water samples from 111 fog/cloud events. The samples were collected at five sites located in various regions of the Czech Republic. Two sampling sites are in mountainous regions and three sites represent various urban areas. The mountain stations are located in two regions of the Czech Republic with different industry types. At all the sites, active fog collectors were employed. In the water samples, the conductivity, acidity (pH), cations (H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻) were determined.A mean pH value of about 4.5 was obtained at mountain sites whereas the measurements in urban areas showed mean pH values from 4.9 to 6.4. The mean conductivity values in the samples from the two mountain stations were 137 and 191.5 μS cm⁻¹. The samples from urban sites showed mean values between 127.7 and 654.4 μS cm⁻¹. The maximum concentration means for the three dominant pollutants (expressed by the ratio mountain sites/urban sites) are 32.9/99.6 mg l⁻¹ for NO₃⁻, 32.5/192.9 mg l⁻¹ for SO₄²⁻ and 18.5/52.7 mg l⁻¹ for NH₄⁺. As expected, we found higher ion concentrations in the northern part of the Czech Republic where larger numbers of lignite-burning power plants, chemical factories and opencast lignite mines are located. A decrease in ion concentrations was observed at higher altitude sites, probably reflecting at least in part higher liquid water contents at these locations.     

Biogenic emissions from Pinus halepensis: a typical species of the Mediterranean area

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions by vegetation present in the Mediterranean area are not well known. They may contribute with anthropogenic VOC emissions to the tropospheric ozone formation that reaches important level in the European Mediterranean region. The present work, carried out as part of the European ESCOMPTE project «fiEld experimentS to COnstrain Models of atmospheric Pollution and Transport of Emissions», adds a new contribution to the inventory of the main natural hydrocarbons sources likely to participate in the ozone production. The corresponding measurement campaign was conducted in La Barben, a site close to Marseilles (France), with the aim to quantify the terpenic emission pattern and the behaviour of Pinus halepensis, an important Mediterranean species slightly studied.The determination of biogenic emissions from P. halepensis was done by the enclosure of an intact branch in a Teflon cuvette. Main emitted monoterpenes were β trans-ocimene and linalool. The total monoterpenic emission rates thus recorded were found to reach maximum values around 30 μg g_{dry weight}⁻¹ h⁻¹. The normalized emission rates calculated at 30 °C and 1000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ with Guenther's algorithm was 14.76, 8.65 and 4.05 μg g_{dry weight}⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively, for the total monoterpenes, β trans-ocimene and linalool.     

Characteristics of biomass burning aerosol and its impact on regional air quality in the summer of 2003 at Gwangju, Korea

The main objective of this study is to investigate the chemical characteristics of biomass burning aerosol and its impact on regional air quality during an agricultural waste burning period in early summer in the rural areas of Korea. A 12-h integrated intensive sampling of biomass burning aerosol in the fine and coarse modes was conducted on 2–20 June 2003 in Gwangju, Korea. The collected samples were analyzed for concentrations of mass, ionic, elemental, and carbonaceous species. Average concentrations of fine and coarse mass were measured to be 67.9 and 18.7 μg m^− 3 during the biomass burning period, 41.9 and 18.8 μg m^− 3 during the haze period, and 35.6 and 13.3 μg m^− 3 during the normal period, respectively. An exceptionally high PM_2.5 concentration of 110.3 μg m^− 3 with a PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio of 0.79 was observed on 6 June 2003 during the biomass burning period. The potassium ratio method was used to identify biomass burning samples. The average ratio of potassium in the fine mode to the coarse mode (FK/CK) was 23.8 during the biomass burning period, 6.0 during the haze period, and 4.7 during the normal period, respectively. A FK/CK ratio above 9.2 was considered a criterion for biomass burning event in this study. Particulate matter from the open field burning of agricultural waste has an adverse impact on visibility, human health, and regional air quality.     

Characteristics of organic and elemental carbon in PM2.5 samples in Shanghai, China

Shanghai is the largest industrial and commercial city in China, and its air quality has been deteriorating for several decades. However, there are scarce researches on the level and seasonal variation of fine particle (PM_2.5) as well as the carbonaceous fractions when compared with other cities in China and around the world. In the present paper, abundance and seasonal characteristics of PM_2.5, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were studied at urban and suburban sites in Shanghai during four season-representative months in 2005–2006 year. PM_2.5 samples were collected with high-vol samplers and analyzed for OC and EC using thermal-optical transmittance (TOT) protocol. Results showed that the annual average PM_2.5 concentrations were 90.3–95.5 μg/m³ at both sites, while OC and EC were 14.7–17.4 μg/m³ and 2.8–3.0 μg/m³, respectively, with the OC/EC ratios of 5.0–5.6. The carbonaceous levels ranked by the order of Beijing > Guangzhou > Shanghai > Hong Kong. The carbonaceous aerosol accounted for  30% of the PM_2.5 mass. On seasonal average, the highest OC and EC levels occurred during fall, and they were higher than the values in summer by a factor of 2. Strong correlations (r = 0.79–0.93) between OC and EC were found in the four seasons. Average level of secondary organic carbon (SOC) was 5.7–7.2 μg/m³, accounting for  30% of the total OC. Strong seasonal variation was observed for SOC with the highest value during fall, which was about two times the annual average.