A three-dimensional numerical simulation of sulfate transport and redistribution

Abstract

We have utilized a relatively sophisticated dynamic cloud model combined with standard bulk-parameterized microphysics and simple sulfur chemistry to explore the impact of deep convection on modification and transport of a suite of pollutants. Two base run simulation parameters are used to initialize the cloud-chemistry model. The simulation of the 6 July 1995 case, with continental polluted field initialization, has revealed that a convective storm generates strong vertical transport of gases and particulate compounds from the planetary boundary layer (PBL) to the upper troposphere (UT), perturbation of aerosol physical and chemical properties, modification of pollutant concentration, and change of the spatial distributions of chemical species. The early formation of precipitation and enhanced scavenging contributed to a registration of approximately 2.5 times the concentration of sulfate in the precipitation near the surface than in the air found at this level. The Spring case numerical experiment on 3 April 2000 with a chemical background taken from Macedonia, provided insight into the potential influence of the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants and ascertained quantitative–qualitative information about processes by which acidic species are incorporated into precipitation. The model-computed parameters are in good agreement with observation. The average equivalent cloud water pH and rainwater pH when the higher acid precipitation occurs are about 5.0 and 4.5, respectively. The results from a number of sensitivity tests of cloud chemistry of the physical processes for the continental nonpolluted and continental polluted environments, indicate that nucleation and impact scavenging of aerosols account for between 20%–24% of the total sulfur mass removed by wet deposition. Liquid-phase oxidation contributes about 20%–28% of the sulfur content in precipitation. It means that neglecting liquid-phase oxidation when considering the chemistry in these clouds may lead to underestimates of about 20%–28% in sulfate wet deposition. Neglect of the ice phase when considering the chemistry in continental nonpolluted and continental polluted clouds may lead to overestimates of about 112%–130% of the total sulfur mass removed by wet deposition. The assumption of Henry's law equilibrium for those types of clouds gives an overestimation of about 100%–120%, respectively. PACS Nos.: 51.10.+y, 92.60.Sz