Abstract
Long-range transported (LRT) haze can affect the regional radiation budget
and the air quality in areas downwind of the Asian continental outflow.
Because in situ observations of spectral aerosol optical properties of the LRT haze
are rare, an intensive characterization of aerosol optical properties is
needed. This study characterized the spectral optical properties of the LRT
haze and Asian dust originating from the Asian continent. Integrated
chemical and optical measurements of aerosol particles were carried out in a
downwind area of the Asian continental outflow (Daejeon, South Korea) during
winter 2014. High concentrations of PM10 (particulate matter with a
diameter ≤ 10 µm) and light scattering coefficients at 550 nm,
σs, 550, were observed during a long-range transport (LRT) haze
episode (PM10 = 163.9 ± 25.0 µg m−3; σs, 550 = 503.4 ± 60.5 Mm−1) and Asian dust episode
(PM10 = 211.3 ± 57.5 µg m−3; σs, 550 = 560.9 ± 151 Mm−1). During the LRT haze episode, no significant
change in the relative contribution of PM2. 5 (particulate matter with a
diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) chemical components was observed as particles
accumulated under stagnant atmospheric conditions (13–17 January 2014),
suggesting that the increase in PM2. 5 mass concentration was caused
mainly by the accumulation of LRT pollutants. On the other hand, a gradual
decrease in Ångström exponent (Å) and a gradual increase in single
scattering albedo (ω) and mass scattering efficiency (MSE) were
observed during the stagnant period, possibly due to an increase in particle
size. These results imply that a change in particle size rather than
chemical composition during the stagnant period is the dominant factor
affecting the aerosol optical properties. During the Asian dust episode, a
low PM2. 5 ∕ PM10 ratio and Å(450∕700) were observed with average
values of 0.59 ± 0.06 and 1.08 ± 0.14, respectively, which were
higher than those during the LRT haze episode (0.75 ± 0.06 and 1.39 ± 0.05, respectively), indicating that PM2. 5 ∕ PM10 mass
ratios and Å(450∕700) can be used as tracers to distinguish aged LRT haze and
Asian dust under the Asian continental outflow.
Citation
ID:
178106
Ref Key:
jung2017atmosphericground-based