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Vertical characterization and potential sources of aerosols in different seasons over the Yangtze River Delta using ground-based MAX-DOAS.

Authors :
Ou, Jinping
Hu, Qihou
Liu, Haoran
Hong, Qianqian
Xing, Chengzhi
Tan, Wei
Lin, Hua
Wang, Xinqi
Xu, Heng
Zhu, Pengcheng
Liu, Wenqing
Source :
Environmental Pollution; Jun2021, Vol. 279, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Assessing the vertical distribution of aerosols in the atmosphere can elucidate the regional sources of accumulated pollutants at different altitudes. Although studies in Hefei have mainly focused on aerosols in the near-surface atmosphere, few studies have assessed the vertical variability in aerosol concentrations. In this study, the vertical aerosol distribution in Hefei was analyzed continuously for one year (from March 2018 to February 2019) using multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy. The aerosol extinction coefficient was the highest in winter (0.94 km<superscript>−1</superscript>), followed by autumn (0.63 km<superscript>−1</superscript>), spring (0.57 km<superscript>−1</superscript>), and summer (0.47 km<superscript>−1</superscript>). Local pollution caused the accumulation of aerosols near the surface. The rate of decrease of the aerosol extinction coefficient was higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. The diurnal variations of aerosol extinction coefficient in the different seasons were affected by the planetary boundary layer height, and we observed notable high-altitude transport of aerosols in autumn. We assessed the vertical distribution of the aerosol extinction coefficient under different pollution concentrations and identified peak values mainly below a height of 0.5 km. With increasing height, the extinction coefficient decreased linearly and slowly under low PM 2.5 concentrations, whereas decreased more rapidly under high PM 2.5 concentrations. Clustering analysis, the weight potential source concentration function, and the concentration weighted trajectory model inferred different seasonal characteristics in the potential source areas of aerosols at different heights. In addition to local pollution sources, Jiangsu Province was found to be the main source of pollution in Hefei at a height of 0.4 km, whereas Hubei Province was the main source of pollution at a height of 2 km. [Display omitted] • The vertical decline rate of the aerosol extinction coefficient is highest in winter. • The aerosols in autumn exhibit obvious high-altitude area transmission. • Aerosol extinction coefficient decreased rapidly with height under high pollution. • Jiangsu (Hubei) Province was the main source of pollution at 0.4 km (0.2 km) height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02697491
Volume :
279
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Environmental Pollution
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
150008725
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116898