Atmosphere

2132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In-Situ Aircraft Measurements of the Vertical Distribution of Black Carbon in the Lower Troposphere of Beijing, China, in the Spring and Summer Time

by Delong Zhao, Xuexi Tie, Yang Gao, Qiang Zhang, Haijun Tian, Kai Bi, Yongli Jin and Pengfei Chen

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 713-731; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050713 - 20 May 2015

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6453

Abstract

Due to rapid economic development in recent years, China has become a major global source of refractory black carbon (rBC) particles. However, surface rBC measurements have been limited, and the lower troposphere suffers from a complete lack of measurements, especially in heavily rBC-polluted [...] Read more.

Due to rapid economic development in recent years, China has become a major global source of refractory black carbon (rBC) particles. However, surface rBC measurements have been limited, and the lower troposphere suffers from a complete lack of measurements, especially in heavily rBC-polluted regions such as China’s capital, Beijing (BJ). In this study, we present the first concentration measurements using an airborne Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) instrument, including vertical distributions, size distributions, and the mixing state of rBC particles in the lower troposphere in BJ and its surrounding areas. The measurements were conducted from April to June 2012 during 11 flights. The results show that the vertical rBC distributions had noticeable differences between different air masses. When an air mass originated from the south of BJ (polluted region), the rBC particles were strongly compressed in the planetary boundary layer (PBL), and showed a large vertical gradient at the top of the PBL. In contrast, when an air mass originated from the north of BJ (clean region), there was a small vertical gradient. This analysis suggests that there was significant regional transport of rBC particles that enhanced the air pollution in BJ, and the transport not only occurred near the surface but also in the middle levels of the PBL (around 0.5 to 1 km). The measured size distributions show that about 80% of the rBC particles were between the diameters of 70 and 400 nm, and the mean diameter of the peak rBC concentrations was about 180–210 nm. This suggests that the rBC particles were relatively small particles. The mixing state of the rBC particles was analyzed to study the coating processes that occurred on the surface of these particles. The results indicate that the air mass strongly affected the number fraction (NF) of the coated particles. As for a southern air mass, the local air pollution was high, which was coupled with a lower PBL height and higher humidity. Consequently, hygroscopic growth occurred rapidly, producing a high NF value (~65%) of coated rBC particles. The correlation coefficient between the NF and the local relative humidity (RH) was 0.88, suggesting that the rBC particles were quickly converted from hydrophobic to hydrophilic particles. This rapid conversion is very important because it suggests a shorter lifetime of rBC particles under heavily polluted conditions. In contrast, under a northern air mass, there was no clear correlation between the NF and the local humidity. This suggests that the coating process occurred during the regional transport in the upwind region. In this case, the lifetime was longer than the southern air mass condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sources, Formation and Impacts of Secondary Aerosol)

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1468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution of Methanesulphonic Acid in the Arctic Aerosol Collected during the Chinese Arctic Research Expedition

by Peipei Ye, Zhouqing Xie, Juan Yu and Hui Kang

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 699-712; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050699 - 20 May 2015

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5426

Abstract

Methanesulphonic acid (MSA, mainly derived from marine biogenic emissions) has been frequently used to estimate the marine biogenic contribution. However, there are few reports on MSA over the Arctic Ocean, especially the central Arctic Ocean. Here, we analyzed MSA in aerosol samples collected [...] Read more.

Methanesulphonic acid (MSA, mainly derived from marine biogenic emissions) has been frequently used to estimate the marine biogenic contribution. However, there are few reports on MSA over the Arctic Ocean, especially the central Arctic Ocean. Here, we analyzed MSA in aerosol samples collected over the ocean and seas during the Chinese Arctic Research Expedition (CHINARE 2012) using ion chromatography. The aerosol MSA concentrations over the Arctic Ocean varied considerably and ranged from non-detectable (ND) to 229 ng/m³, with an average of 27 ± 54 ng/m³ (median: 10 ng/m³). We found the distribution of aerosol MSA exhibited an obvious regional variation, which was affected by biotic and abiotic factors. High values were generally observed in the Norwegian Sea; this phenomenon was attributed to high rates of phytoplankton primary productivity and dimethylsulfide (DMS) fluxes in this region. Concentrations over the pack ice region in the central Arctic Ocean were generally lower than over the open waters at the ice edge in the Chukchi Sea. This difference was the mainly caused by sea ice. In addition, we found that higher MSA concentrations were associated with warmer sea surface temperature (SST). Full article

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18911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Robustness of Ensemble Climate Projections Analyzed with Climate Signal Maps: Seasonal and Extreme Precipitation for Germany

by Susanne Pfeifer, Katharina Bülow, Andreas Gobiet, Andreas Hänsler, Manfred Mudelsee, Juliane Otto, Diana Rechid, Claas Teichmann and Daniela Jacob

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 677-698; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050677 - 18 May 2015

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 12526

Abstract

Climate signal maps can be used to identify regions where robust climate changes can be derived from an ensemble of climate change simulations. Here, robustness is defined as a combination of model agreement and the significance of the individual model projections. Climate signal [...] Read more.

Climate signal maps can be used to identify regions where robust climate changes can be derived from an ensemble of climate change simulations. Here, robustness is defined as a combination of model agreement and the significance of the individual model projections. Climate signal maps do not show all information available from the model ensemble, but give a condensed view in order to be useful for non-climate scientists who have to assess climate change impact during the course of their work. Three different ensembles of regional climate projections have been analyzed regarding changes of seasonal mean and extreme precipitation (defined as the number of days exceeding the 95th percentile threshold of daily precipitation) for Germany, using climate signal maps. Although the models used and the scenario assumptions differ for the three ensembles (representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 vs. RCP8.5 vs. A1B), some similarities in the projections of future seasonal and extreme precipitation can be seen. For the winter season, both mean and extreme precipitation are projected to increase. The strength, robustness and regional pattern of this increase, however, depends on the ensemble. For summer, a robust decrease of mean precipitation can be detected only for small regions in southwestern Germany and only from two of the three ensembles, whereas none of them projects a robust increase of summer extreme precipitation. Full article

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5498 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Concentrations and Reduction of Airborne Particulate Matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, PM₁) at Shelterbelt Site in Beijing

by Jungang Chen, Xinxiao Yu, Fenbing Sun, Xiaoxiu Lun, Yanlin Fu, Guodong Jia, Zhengming Zhang, Xuhui Liu, Li Mo and Huaxing Bi

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 650-676; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050650 - 18 May 2015

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 8572

Abstract

Particulate matter is a serious source of air pollution in urban areas, where it exerts adverse effects on human health. This article focuses on the study of subduction of shelterbelts for atmospheric particulates. The results suggest that (1) the PM mass concentration is [...] Read more.

Particulate matter is a serious source of air pollution in urban areas, where it exerts adverse effects on human health. This article focuses on the study of subduction of shelterbelts for atmospheric particulates. The results suggest that (1) the PM mass concentration is higher in the morning or both morning and noon inside the shelterbelts and lower mass concentrations at other times; (2) the particle mass concentration inside shelterbelt is higher than outside; (3) the particle interception efficiency of the two forest belts over the three months in descending order was PM10 > PM1 > PM2.5; and (4) the two shelterbelts captured air pollutants at rates of 1496.285 and 909.075 kg/month and the major atmospheric pollutant in Beijing city is PM10. Future research directions are to study PM mass concentration variation of shelterbelt with different tree species and different configuration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land-Atmosphere Interaction in Micrometeorology and Pollution Dispersal)

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403 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Monitoring of Nitrogen Volatilization from Beef Cattle Feces and ¹⁵N-Labeled Synthetic Urine

by Ferouz Y. Ayadi, Erin L. Cortus, David E. Clay and Stephanie A. Hansen

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 641-649; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050641 - 13 May 2015

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5220

Abstract

A 15-day bench-scale manure storage experiment with a slurry mixture comprising beef cattle feces and synthetic urine with ¹⁵N-labeled urea was conducted to evaluate the source of volatilized ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N). Beef cattle feces was mixed daily in a 1:2.2 [...] Read more.

A 15-day bench-scale manure storage experiment with a slurry mixture comprising beef cattle feces and synthetic urine with ¹⁵N-labeled urea was conducted to evaluate the source of volatilized ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N). Beef cattle feces was mixed daily in a 1:2.2 mass ratio with ¹⁵N-labeled urine and added for four consecutive days to 2-L storage containers and then left undisturbed for eleven days. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used to determine the origin of aerial NH₃-N losses from the relative isotopic abundance of N in the ¹⁵N-labeled slurry mixture. On average 84% of total NH₃-N losses originated from the urine portion and were highest during the first two to four days, when fresh material was added. After fresh material addition ceased, daily NH₃-N emission from the urine decreased gradually, whereas emission from the feces remained relatively constant. Calculations showed that over 34% of aerial N was not captured, suggesting that other N gas emission is significant from slurry mixtures. Likely all uncaptured N losses were from urinary urea. The study verified the applicability of ¹⁵N-labeled synthetic urine for beef slurry mixtures. However, the results suggest further research to explain and model the NH₃ and N release from fecal material is warranted and to determine the identity of the uncaptured N losses. Full article

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3368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Climate Change and Meteorological Factors on Houston’s Air Pollution: Ozone a Case Study

by Lei Liu, Robert Talbot and Xin Lan

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 623-640; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050623 - 12 May 2015

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 11380

Abstract

We examined the past 23 years of ground-level O₃ data and selected meteorological parameters in Houston, Texas, which historically has been one of the most polluted cities in the United States. Both 1-h and 8-h O₃ exceedances have been reduced significantly [...] Read more.

We examined the past 23 years of ground-level O₃ data and selected meteorological parameters in Houston, Texas, which historically has been one of the most polluted cities in the United States. Both 1-h and 8-h O₃ exceedances have been reduced significantly down to single digit yearly occurrences. We also found that the frequency of southerly flow has increased by a factor of ~2.5 over the period 1990–2013, likely suppressing O₃ photochemistry and leading to a “cleaner” Houston environment. The sea breeze was enhanced greatly from 1990 to 2013 due to increasing land surface temperatures, increased pressure gradients, and slightly stronger on-shore winds. These patterns driven by climate change produce a strengthening of the sea breeze, which should be a general result at locations worldwide. Full article

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7814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of the PM_2.5 Pollution Levels in Beijing Based on Nighttime Light Data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-Operational Linescan System

by Runya Li, Xiangnan Liu and Xuqing Li

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 607-622; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050607 - 12 May 2015

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7659

Abstract

Nighttime light data record the artificial light on the Earth’s surface and can be used to estimate the degree of pollution associated with particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) in the ground-level atmosphere. This study [...] Read more.

Nighttime light data record the artificial light on the Earth’s surface and can be used to estimate the degree of pollution associated with particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) in the ground-level atmosphere. This study proposes a simple method for monitoring PM_2.5 concentrations at night by using nighttime light imagery from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS). This research synthesizes remote sensing and geographic information system techniques and establishes a back propagation neural-network (BP network) model. The BP network model for nighttime light data performed well in estimating the PM_2.5 pollution in Beijing. The correlation coefficient between the BP network model predictions and the corrected PM_2.5 concentration was 0.975; the root mean square error was 26.26 μg/m³, with a corresponding average PM_2.5 concentration of 155.07 μg/m³; and the average accuracy was 0.796. The accuracy of the results primarily depended on the method of selecting regions in the DMSP nighttime light data. This study provides an opportunity to measure the nighttime environment. Furthermore, these results can assist government agencies in determining particulate matter pollution control areas and developing and implementing environmental conservation planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Aerosols and Their Radiative Effects)

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4245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Storm Identification, Tracking and Forecasting Using High-Resolution Images of Short-Range X-Band Radar

by Sajid Shah, Riccardo Notarpietro and Marco Branca

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 579-606; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050579 - 06 May 2015

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6755

Abstract

Rain nowcasting is an essential part of weather monitoring. It plays a vital role in human life, ranging from advanced warning systems to scheduling open air events and tourism. A nowcasting system can be divided into three fundamental steps, i.e., storm identification, tracking [...] Read more.

Rain nowcasting is an essential part of weather monitoring. It plays a vital role in human life, ranging from advanced warning systems to scheduling open air events and tourism. A nowcasting system can be divided into three fundamental steps, i.e., storm identification, tracking and nowcasting. The main contribution of this work is to propose procedures for each step of the rain nowcasting tool and to objectively evaluate the performances of every step, focusing on two-dimension data collected from short-range X-band radars installed in different parts of Italy. This work presents the solution of previously unsolved problems in storm identification: first, the selection of suitable thresholds for storm identification; second, the isolation of false merger (loosely-connected storms); and third, the identification of a high reflectivity sub-storm within a large storm. The storm tracking step of the existing tools, such as TITANand SCIT, use only up to two storm attributes, i.e., center of mass and area. It is possible to use more attributes for tracking. Furthermore, the contribution of each attribute in storm tracking is yet to be investigated. This paper presents a novel procedure called SALdEdA (structure, amplitude, location, eccentricity difference and areal difference) for storm tracking. This work also presents the contribution of each component of SALdEdA in storm tracking. The second order exponential smoothing strategy is used for storm nowcasting, where the growth and decay of each variable of interest is considered to be linear. We evaluated the major steps of our method. The adopted techniques for automatic threshold calculation are assessed with a 97% goodness. False merger and sub-storms within a cluster of storms are successfully handled. Furthermore, the storm tracking procedure produced good results with an accuracy of 99.34% for convective events and 100% for stratiform events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radar Meteorology)

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1442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Joint Application of Concentration and δ¹⁸O to Investigate the Global Atmospheric CO Budget

by Keyhong Park, Louisa K. Emmons, Zhihui Wang and John E. Mak

Atmosphere 2015, 6(5), 547-578; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos6050547 - 27 Apr 2015

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 7760

Abstract

Most previous top-down global carbon monoxide (CO) budget estimates have used only concentration information and shown large differences in individual source estimates. Since CO from certain sources has a specific isotopic signature, coupling the concentration and isotope fraction information can provide a better [...] Read more.

Most previous top-down global carbon monoxide (CO) budget estimates have used only concentration information and shown large differences in individual source estimates. Since CO from certain sources has a specific isotopic signature, coupling the concentration and isotope fraction information can provide a better constraint on CO source strength estimates. We simulate both CO concentration and its oxygen isotopologue C¹⁸O in the 3-D global chemical transport model MOZART-4 and compare the results with observations. We then used a Bayesian inversion to calculate the most probable global CO budget. In the analysis, δ¹⁸O information is jointly applied with concentration. The joint inversion results should provide more accurate and precise inversion results in comparison with CO-only inversion. Various methods combining the concentration and isotope ratios were tested to maximize the benefit of including isotope information. The joint inversion of CO and δ¹⁸O estimated total global CO production at 2951 Tg-CO/yr in 1997, 3084 Tg-CO/yr in 1998, and 2583 Tg-CO/yr in 2004. The updated CO budget improved both the modeled CO and δ¹⁸O. The clear improvement shown in the δ¹⁸O implies that more accurate source strengths are estimated. Thus, we confirmed that the observation of CO isotopes provide further substantial information for estimating a global CO budget. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Chemistry Interactions)

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Atmosphere, Volume 6, Issue 5 (May 2015) – 9 articles , Pages 547-731

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