Development of RAMS-CMAQ to Simulate Aerosol Optical Depth and Aerosol Direct Radiative Forcing and Its Application to East Asia

The air quality modeling system RAMS （Regional Atmospheric Modeling System）-CMAQ （Models-3 Community Multi-scale Air Quality） is developed to simulate the aerosol optical depth （AOD） and aerosol direct forcing （DF）. The aerosol-specific extinction, single scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor are parameterized based on Mie theory taking into account the aerosol size distribution, composition, refractive index, and water uptake of solution particles. A two-stream solar radiative model considers all gaseous molecular absorption, Rayleigh scattering, and aerosols and clouds. RAMSCMAQ is applied to simulate all major aerosol concentrations （e.g., sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic carbon, black carbon, fine soil, and sea salt） and AOD and DF over East Asia in 2005. To evaluate its performance, the simulated AOD values were compared with ground-based in situ measurements. The comparison shows that RAMSCMAQ performed well in most of the model domain and generally captured the observed variations. High AOD values （0.2-1.0） mainly appear in the Sichuan Basin as well as in central and southeastern China. The geographic distribution of DF generally follows the AOD distribution patterns, and the DF at the top-of-the-atmosphere is less than -25 and -20 W m^-2 in clear-sky and all-sky over the Sichuan Basin. Both AOD and DF exhibit seasonal variations with lower values in July and higher ones in January. The DF could obviously be impacted by high cloud fractions.     

Relevance of ion-induced nucleation of sulfuric acid and water in the lower troposphere over the boreal forest at northern latitudes

The relevance of ion-induced nucleation of sulfuric acid and water (IINSW) in the troposphere over the boreal forest at northern latitudes is investigated by combining two existing and previously published models (MALTE — model to predict new aerosol formation in the lower troposphere; PARNUC — a parameterized steady-state model of neutral and ion-induced nucleation of sulfuric acid and water for atmospheric conditions). Simulations were performed for 4 days with observed new particle formation at ground level by using input data from the SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä, Finland. The selected days were chosen to cover a wide range of values of the parameters most relevant for IINSW. The results showed that ion-induced nucleation of sulfuric acid and water can contribute up to 15% to the total amount of newly formed particles in the size range of 3–10 nm inside the mixed layer at the Hyytiälä site. The importance of IINSW seemed to increase in the free troposphere above the boundary layer, however, lack of measurements in the vertical structure of the input parameters suggest that the model results are burdened with high uncertainties.     

格尔木地区沙尘气溶胶硝酸盐含量及来源

沙尘气溶胶中硝酸盐的含量和来源对于全球氮排放估算具有重要意义。为了探讨格尔木沙尘气溶胶中硝酸盐的含量和来源,我们在格尔木2008年沙尘过程多发期1-6月进行了连续观测,并对收集的沙尘气溶胶样品进行了详细的水溶性离子色谱分析。结果显示:沙尘天气的大气总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)平均浓度及NO₃^-平均浓度分别为2 015.94 μg·m^-3和1.8 μg·m^-3,非沙尘天气两者平均浓度分别为274.68 μg·m^-3和0.74 μg·m^-3。观测期间,格尔木NO₃^-浓度和TSP浓度存在明显的季节变化,NO₃^-和TSP浓度变化均为春季>夏季>冬季。TSP与NO₃^-浓度的相关系数为0.67,春季两者相关系数为0.71,且Ca²⁺与NO₃^-浓度显著相关,推测格尔木沙尘气溶胶中NO₃^-离子可能主要来源于干旱区的地表物质。非沙尘天气期间NO₃^-/TSP浓度比值高于沙尘天气,且分布较为分散,表明非沙尘天气NO₃^-浓度受到人为源或气象条件的影响。     

Correct application of the IUCN protected area management categories to the CCAMLR Convention Area

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has been working to develop and implement a system of marine protected areas (MPAs) for over 10 years. Within CCAMLR there is a long-held belief that the area covered by the CCAMLR Convention is equivalent to a category IV protected area as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This belief was founded upon a comparison of the central objective of CCAMLR as defined by the CCAMLR Convention with the IUCN definition of a category IV MPA. This advice was accepted by the CCAMLR Scientific Committee but to date there has not been any analysis of this advice within CCAMLR, IUCN or in the literature. This paper critically analyses that advice, and finds that the CCAMLR Convention area does not meet the IUCN definition of an MPA and thus the CCAMLR Convention Area cannot be considered equivalent to a category IV MPA.     

China’s engagement in the establishment of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean: From reactive to active

The stalemate since 2012 over the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean has been a source of debate within and outside the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). In 2015, China's support for the proposal for the establishment of a Ross Sea MPA was commended as a major step forward. As the newest Member of the CCAMLR, China refrained itself from commenting specifically on the issue of MPAs in the previous years, and had not articulated clearly its basic position until 2014. In light of its basic position and practices, China may become more active, maintain its basic position and take a case-by-case approach in relation to other MPA proposals. Moreover, bilateral interaction is helpful in finding practical solutions.     

From ad hoc towards the institutionalisation: An assessment of Malaysia's policy evolution on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

Malaysia's policy on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (A&SO) in the last three decades has evolved from being focused on diplomatic engagement to pioneering science in cooperation with the international community and strengthening science diplomacy by becoming a member of the international governance of Antarctic. Through process-oriented evaluation, the aim of this study is to map out the development of Malaysia's policy on the Antarctic region (from 1982 to 2016) and consequently, identify the current capacities and future needs to strengthen its involvement. This study reveals that Malaysia's policy on A&SO has strong integration in foreign affairs, science and technology (S&T), and the environment, and the involvements are parallel with the national development plan. To move forward, Malaysia is currently establishing a suitable governance structure and a long-term management plan to ensure a long-term political commitment, sustain investment of resources and strengthen the dynamic participation of stakeholders. This study advances the scholarly understanding of the political processes and challenges to Malaysia's Antarctic policy development, in its journey towards institutionalisation which will create distinctive and valuable positions for Malaysia to contribute to current debates on the future of the Antarctic region. In the context of ad-hoc decision on certain policy, this case study will contribute relevant information about the development process, issues and challenges on policy through ad-hoc implementation.     

大气遥感双视场米散射激光雷达信号拼接

介绍了一种双视场米散射激光雷达信号拼接方法。主要思想是寻找近场和远场信号都具有高信噪比的最佳拼接区域,求解该区域两种信号之间的函数关系,自动实现激光雷达近场信号与远场信号的有效拼接和反演。拼接结果兼具近场信号探测盲区低和远场信号探测高度高的优点。反演结果表明,该方法能够准确有效地实现双视场信号拼接,并能反演得到高精度的气溶胶光学特性。     

An Empirical Method for Estimating Background Stratospheric Aerosol Extinction Profiles over China

The current paper introduces an empirical method for estimating the vertical distribution of background stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles covering the latitude bands of 50±5°N,40±5°N,30±5°N,and 20±5°N and the longitude range of 75 135°E based on Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II aerosol extinction measurements at wavelengths of 1020 nm,525 nm,452 nm,and 386 nm for the volcanically calm years between 1998 2004.With this method,the vertical distribution of stratospheric aerosol extinction coefficients can be estimated according to latitude and wavelength.Comparisons of the empirically calculated aerosol extinction profiles and the SAGE II aerosol measurements show that the empirically calculated aerosol extinction coefficients are consistent with SAGE II values,with relative differences within 10% from 2 km above the tropopause to 33 km,and within 22% from 33 km to 35 km.The empirically calculated aerosol stratospheric optical depths (vertically integrated aerosol extinction coefficient) at the four wavelengths are also consistent with the corresponding SAGE II optical depth measurements,with differences within 2.2% in the altitude range from 2 km above the tropopause to 35 km.     

Low-frequency coupled atmosphere-ocean variability in the southern Indian Ocean

The low-frequency atmosphere-ocean coupled variability of the southern Indian Ocean(SIO) was investigated using observation data over 1958-2010.These data were obtained from ECMWF for sea level pressure(SLP) and wind,from NCEP/NCAR for heat fluxes,and from the Hadley Center for SST.To obtain the coupled air-sea variability,we performed SVD analyses on SST and SLP.The primary coupled mode represents 43% of the total square covariance and is featured by weak westerly winds along 45-30 S.This weakened subtropical anticyclone forces fluctuations in a well-known subtropical dipole structure in the SST via wind-induced processes.The SST changes in response to atmosphere forcing and is predictable with a lead-time of 1-2 months.Atmosphere-ocean coupling of this mode is strongest during the austral summer.Its principle component is characterized by mixed interannual and interdecadal fluctuations.There is a strong relationship between the first mode and Antarctic Oscillation(AAO).The AAO can influence the coupled processes in the SIO by modulating the subtropical high.The second mode,accounting for 30% of the total square covariance,represents a 25-year period interdecadal oscillation in the strength of the subtropical anticyclone that is accompanied by fluctuations of a monopole structure in the SST along the 35-25 S band.It is caused by subsidence of the atmosphere.The present study also shows that physical processes of both local thermodynamic and ocean circulation in the SIO have a crucial role in the formation of the atmosphere-ocean covariability.     

长江三角洲地区近30年非雾天能见度特征分析

利用地面能见度观测数据和中分辨率成像光谱仪(简称M(ODIS)所提供的气溶胶光学厚度(Aerosol Optical Depth,AOD)资料,分析了中国长江三角洲地区近30年的能见度变化特征。结果表明,该地区1980—2009年能见度年均值为19.5±1.8km,其中最高值为21.9km,在1984年,最低值为16.1km在2007年。近30年能见度呈下降趋势,平均年递减率为-0.20±0.013km/a,近几年能见度趋于稳定。该地区能见度:夏季能见度最好,秋、春季次之,冬季最差;沿海地区能见度好于内陆地区,沿江(河)两岸能见度较差;沿江(河、海)地区能见度的下降速度大于其他地区,在浙江东南部沿海地区尤为明显。利用EOF方法分析长三角地区能见度,结果表明第一模态的特征向量均为正值,说明全区能见度均呈下降趋势。利用MO-DIS AOD数据分析区域性及长期能见度变化趋势与利用地面观测数据方法分析结论相一致。