Spatiotemporal variation of aerosol and potential long-range transport impact over Tibetan Plateau, China

Zhu, Jun; Xia, Xiangao; Che, Huizheng; Wang, Jun; Cong, Zhiyuan; Zhao, Tianliang; Kang, Shichang; Zhang, Xuelei; Yu, Xiangyao; Zhang, Yan‐Lin

doi:10.5194/acp-2019-444

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The measurements in Zhu et al. (2019) was for the total column of the atmosphere while those in the present study was at the ground, so there is no point to compare fine and coarse mode peaks between them. Similar bi‐modal aerosol size distributions in the present study have also been observed at dust source areas (Parajuli et al., 2019; Sow et al., 2009), indicating the more dust emissions than anthropogenic pollutants in west TP.…”

Section: Atmospheric Aerosol Physical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…Aerosol transport and spatial distribution over the TP and downstream regions have been studied by model simulations (Hu et al., 2020; Ji et al., 2015; Liu et al., 2015). Long‐term MODIS (Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data confirms that the northern and western TP regions are influenced by MD aerosols in spring and summer while transported anthropogenic aerosols dominate in the southern and southeastern TP regions (Zhu et al., 2019). Sunphotometer measurements have been used to study column aerosol optical depth at Nam Co, Qomolangma (Mt.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The melting of glaciers and snow cover is accelerated by the deposition of atmospheric aerosols such as black carbon (BC) and mineral dust (MD) (Kang et al., 2019). Long‐term remote sensing observations and model simulations reveal that aerosol loading has increased during recent years in most areas of the TP region (Mehta et al., 2019; Zhu et al., 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Waliguan, Lhasa, and Muztagh Ata (Che et al., 2011; Cong et al., 2009; Pokharel et al., 2019; Yan et al., 2015; Zhu et al., 2019). Although satellite and ground‐based remote sensing data (e.g., AERONET, MODIS, CALIPSO) are used in various studies on atmospheric aerosols in the TP, the agreement among these data is low (Yan et al., 2015; Zhu et al., 2019). In situ observations of atmospheric aerosols are required to validate algorithms for remote sensing retrievals and constrain model simulations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unexpected High Absorption of Atmospheric Aerosols Over a Western Tibetan Plateau Site in Summer

et al. 2021

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The assessment of atmospheric aerosol radiative effects in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) suffers from large uncertainties due to limited understanding of aerosol physicochemical properties. To quantify aerosol optical properties, size distributions, and chemical compositions in the western TP, an intensive field campaign was carried out at Shiquanhe National Reference Climatological Station from July 8 to August 2, 2019. Unexpected low single scattering albedo (SSA) at 870 nm was found for the fine aerosols with an average value of 0.73 ± 0.18. SSA was even lower than 0.60 in the morning when fine aerosols peaked, indicating high absorption of the fine aerosols induced by anthropogenic activities. Coarse mode aerosols accounted for 70.58% ± 14.98% of the total volume concentration and mineral dust was the most abundant species in total suspended particles with a mass fraction of 48.7%. Fine mode aerosol concentrations showed little dependence on wind speed while coarse mode aerosols and metallic element concentrations exhibited strong positive correlations with wind speed, indicating the importance of wind‐blown dust particles. The present study for the first time quantified key aerosol parameters in the western TP and unexpected high absorption of atmospheric aerosols were found over the site in summer. Our results suggest the need to carefully consider the radiative effects caused by aerosol absorption in the TP region.

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Section: Atmospheric Aerosol Physical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Unexpected High Absorption of Atmospheric Aerosols Over a Western Tibetan Plateau Site in Summer

et al. 2021

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“…However, this barrier cannot completely block the transboundary transportation of pollutants according to previous studies. The transboundary and long-distance transport of pollutants across the Himalayas has attracted considerable attention (Wang et al, 2018;Zhang et al, 2015a;Yang et al, 2018;Li et al, 2016;Feng et al, 2019;Zhu et al, 2019). Several studies have shown that the transboundary intrusion of atmospheric pollutants through the Himalayas on the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for many pollutants (Yang et al, 2018;Li et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2015b;Pokhrel et al, 2016;Lin et al, 2019).…”

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confidence: 99%

First Observation of Mercury Species on an Important Water Vapor Channel in the Southeast Tibetan Plateau

Lin

Tong

et al. 2021

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Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau is generally considered to be a significantly clean area owing to its high altitude; however, the transport of atmospheric pollutants from the Indian subcontinent to the Tibetan Plateau has infected the Tibetan environments. Nyingchi is located at the end of an important water vapor channel. In this study, continuous monitoring of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and particle-bound mercury (PBM) was conducted in Nyingchi from March 30 to September 3, 2019, to study the influence of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) on the origin, transport and behavior of mercury. The atmospheric Hg concentrations during the preceding Indian summer monsoon (PISM) period (1.20 ± 0.35 ng m−3, 13.5 ± 7.3 pg m−3, and 11.4 ± 4.8 pg m−3 for GEM, GOM, and PBM, respectively) were relatively higher than those during the ISM period (0.95 ± 0.21 ng m−3, 12.7 ± 14.3 pg m−3 and 8.8 ± 6.0 pg m−3). The average annual total gaseous mercury concentration in the Nyingchi region was obtained using a passive sampler as 1.12 ± 0.28 ng m−3. The GEM concentration showed that the sampling area was very clean. The GEM has several patterns of daily variation during different periods. Stable high GEM concentrations occur at night during PISM, which may be related to the nocturnal boundary layer. High values occurring in the late afternoon during the ISM may be related to long-range transport. The results of the trajectory model demonstrate that the sources of pollutants at Nyingchi are different under the control of different airflow fields. During westerly circulation, pollutants mainly originate from northeast India or Nepal. During the ISM period, the pollutants mainly originate from northeast India, or the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. The strong precipitation and vegetation effects on Hg during the ISM resulted in low Hg concentrations transmitted to Nyingchi during this period. Further, principal component analysis showed that long-distance transport, local emissions, meteorological factors, and snowmelt factors are the main factors affecting the local Hg concentration in Nyingchi.

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Aerosol Properties Over Tibetan Plateau From a Decade of AERONET Measurements: Baseline, Types, and Influencing Factors

et al. 2019

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In this study, a decade long measurement of aerosol optical properties at two AERONET stations (Nam Co during 2006–2016 and QOMS during 2009–2017) in the Tibetan Plateau (TP), a region sensitive to climate change and human perturbation, is presented. The baseline value of aerosol optical depth (AOD) was 0.029 and 0.027 at Nam Co and QOMS, respectively, which are comparable to or even lower than those at some Arctic and remote ocean locations. The seasonality of AOD values were the order of spring > summer > winter > autumn. Based on AOD and Ångström exponent (α), major aerosol types over the TP were further identified as continental background, biomass burning, and dust. Although continental background aerosol was the main feature in remote areas of TP, biomass burning plumes frequently occurred, especially during spring (March–April). In one of such biomass burning event in April 2014, MODIS observations demonstrated that intensive open fires occurred in South Asia, covering the foothills of Himalayas and Indo‐Gangetic Plain. The air mass back trajectories and CALIOP observations further revealed that biomass burning plume could be uplifted to higher altitudes and reach the Himalayas. Moreover, an occasional dust event detected in April 2008 over the TP demonstrated that the dust from Taklamakan Desert may impact the main body of TP episodically, although the local dust from the inside of TP cannot be excluded and warrants further study.

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Spatiotemporal variation of aerosol and potential long-range transport impact over Tibetan Plateau, China

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

Unexpected High Absorption of Atmospheric Aerosols Over a Western Tibetan Plateau Site in Summer

Unexpected High Absorption of Atmospheric Aerosols Over a Western Tibetan Plateau Site in Summer

First Observation of Mercury Species on an Important Water Vapor Channel in the Southeast Tibetan Plateau

Aerosol Properties Over Tibetan Plateau From a Decade of AERONET Measurements: Baseline, Types, and Influencing Factors

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