Impacts of aerosol compositions on visibility impairment in Xi'an, China

  • Jun Ji Cao

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Daily dry particle light scattering coefficients, PM2.5, NO2 were collected in Xi'an from February 15 to December 31, 2009 to investigate the causes of visibility degradation and its temporal variability. Average VR was 6.4±4.5 Km, with the largest seasonal variations found in spring (1.5 to 28.5 Km), followed by summer (1.2 to 18.9 Km). The lowest VR was found in winter (0.8 to 10.7 Km). Diurnal particle light scattering coefficients (bsp,dry) showed early morning and late evening peaks with a low in the afternoon hours. This diurnal cycle was likely due to variations of emission sources and meteorological conditions. Elevated PM2.5 mass was associated with VR <10 Km, and a PM2.5 threshold value of 88 μg m-3 (i.e., low visibility occurs when PM2.5 > 88μg m-3).Based on the revised IMPROVE equation, (NH4)2SO4 was the largest contributor, accounting for 39.8% of light extinction coefficient, followed by OM (23.8%), NH4NO3 (23.1%), and EC (9.1%), with minor contribution from soil dust (3.4%) and NO2 (0.8%). Chemical extinction was ∼15% lower than optical extinction, but they were highly correlated. Elevated concentrations of secondary aerosol species (i.e.SO42- and NO3-) were the main causes of VR <5 Km.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAir and Waste Management Association - Aerosol and Atmospheric Optics
Subtitle of host publicationVisibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012
Pages75-79
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2012
EventAerosol and Atmospheric Optics: Visibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012 - Whitefish, MT, United States
Duration: 25 Sep 201228 Sep 2012

Publication series

NameAir and Waste Management Association - Aerosol and Atmospheric Optics: Visibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012

Conference

ConferenceAerosol and Atmospheric Optics: Visibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWhitefish, MT
Period25/09/1228/09/12

Keywords

  • Chemical species
  • Light extinction coefficient
  • Source apportionment
  • Visibility impairment

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