Evolution of atmospheric age of particles and its implications for the formation of a severe haze event in eastern China

X. Xie; J. Hu; M. Qin; S. Guo; M. Hu; D. Ji; H. Wang; S. Lou; C. Huang; C. Liu; H. Zhang; Q. Ying; H. Liao; Y. Zhang

doi:10.5194/acp-23-10563-2023

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Sep 2023)

Evolution of atmospheric age of particles and its implications for the formation of a severe haze event in eastern China

X. Xie,
J. Hu,
M. Qin,
S. Guo,
M. Hu,
D. Ji,
H. Wang,
S. Lou,
C. Huang,
C. Liu,
H. Zhang,
Q. Ying,
H. Liao,
Y. Zhang

Affiliations

X. Xie: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
J. Hu: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
M. Qin: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
S. Guo: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
M. Hu: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
D. Ji: State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100191, China
H. Wang: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
S. Lou: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
C. Huang: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
C. Liu: CMA Earth System Modeling and Prediction Centre, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Beijing 100081, China
H. Zhang: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
Q. Ying: Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
H. Liao: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Y. Zhang: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10563-2023
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 23
pp. 10563 – 10578

Abstract

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Atmospheric age reflects how long particles have been suspended in the atmosphere, which is closely associated with the evolution of air pollutants. Severe regional haze events occur frequently in China, influencing air quality, human health, and regional climate. Previous studies have explored the characteristics of mass concentrations and compositions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during haze events, but the evolution of atmospheric age remains unclear. In this study, the age-resolved University of California, Davis/California Institute of Technology (UCD/CIT) model was developed and applied to simulate the concentration and age distribution of PM2.5 during a severe regional haze episode in eastern China. The results indicated that PM2.5 concentrations in the North China Plain (NCP) gradually accumulated due to stagnant weather conditions during the beginning stage of the haze event. Accordingly, the atmospheric age of elemental carbon (EC), primary organic aerosol (POA), sulfate (SO42-), and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) gradually increased. The subsequent PM2.5 concentration growth was driven by the local chemical formation of nitrate (NO3-) under high relative humidity. The newly formed NO3- particles led to a decrease in the mean atmospheric age of NO3- particles. During the regional transport stage, aged particles from the NCP moved to the downwind Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, leading to a sharp increase in PM2.5 concentrations and the average age of EC, POA, SO42-, and SOA in YRD. In contrast, the average age of NO3- and ammonium remained unchanged or even slightly decreased due to continuous local formation in the YRD region. Different evolution of the atmospheric age among these components provides a unique perspective on the formation of PM2.5 components during the regional haze event. The information can also be used for designing effective control strategies for different components of PM2.5.

Published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

ISSN: 1680-7316 (Print); 1680-7324 (Online)
Publisher: Copernicus Publications
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Science: Physics; Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.atmospheric-chemistry-and-physics.net/

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