Tropospheric column amounts of NO 2 from OMI/Aura products were applied to investigate the seasonal variation of NO x on the east side of the Taihang Mountains (ESTM) in China. The NO 2 concentration varied seasonally, with winter maxima and summer minima. To explore the causes of the heavy NO 2 pollution in this region, wind field simulations were conducted by using the Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale Model (MM5). MM5 simulations showed that wind directions in the ESTM region were dominated by northeasterly and northwesterly winds throughout the year and to a lesser degree by southwesterlies. Elevated NO 2 concentrations (higher than 50×10 15 molec/cm 2 ) occurred in three meteorological situations: convergent wind fields (5 days), northeasterly winds (2 days), and calm days (1 day) in January. Although the local anthropogenic NO x emission strength was not so high as that in other developed areas, the calms and frequent occurrence of convergent wind fields, as well as unfavorable terrains for diffusion, resulted in the accumulation of atmospheric pollutants and hence heavy NO x pollution. Furthermore, long-distance NO x transportation from the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan region to the ESTM area could be seen when the wind was from a northeasterly direction, especially under high wind speeds.
TIAN HeZhongWANG YanZHAO DanCHAI FaHeXING ZiShanCHENG Ke
The mass concentration and major chemical components of fine particulate matter were measured before,during and after Beijing's massive parade commemorating 70th anniversary of the Chinese Victory in World War II on September 3,2015.Regional emission inventory,positive matrix factorization(PMF),observations from space and backward air mass trajectories were jointly applied to identify the major pollution sources and their temporal and spatial variations.The contributions of emissions variations and the meteorological conditions related to the"parade blue"phenomenon in Beijing and its surrounding areas were investigated in detail.The main cause of the decreased PM_(2.5)mass concentration was attributed to the absolute reduction in emissions of primary air pollutants.The chemical composition of PM_(2.5)varied significantly before,during and after the parade.Fugitive dust particles were well controlled,the secondary formation of PM_(2.5)was reduced along with the controlled gaseous precursors'emissions from vehicles and industrial sources during the temporary intensified control period.During the parade period,the SO_2and NO_2column concentrations in Beijing and the surrounding areas decreased sharply,indicating that the coordinated reduction in primary emissions from the surrounding areas of Beijing played an important role in lowering the ambient concentration of SO_2and NO_2and accordingly lowered PM_(2.5)and improved the regional air quality.A comparison of the temperature,humidity,and wind speed and direction during the same periods in 2014 and 2015 showed that the meteorological conditions positively influenced the achievement of"parade blue".
