Analysis of Aerosol Properties Coupled with Meteorological Parameters over East Asia

Dashnyam Gerelmaa,Gin-Rong Liu,Tsung-Hua Kuo,Tang-Huang Lin

doi:10.3319/tao.2014.12.03.01(a)

Abstract

This paper investigates the aerosol properties over the major East Asian stations of Beijing, Gosan, Osaka, Taipei, Mukdahan, and Bac-Giang, during the years 2002-2008. Aerosol optical thickness (AOT) product from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometers (MODIS) onboard the Aqua and Terra satellites are used for this study. The aerosol robotic network (AERONET) ground observations are used to validate the satellite AOT. The daily, monthly, seasonal, and inter-annual AOT variations over the selected locations are described along with meteorological parameters from National Center for Environmental Prediction, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) reanalysis data and Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC) data. Angstrom exponent (AE), and fine mode fraction (FMF) from MODIS and AERONET are used to discuss the size, type and possible particle sources. Seasonal wind patterns from NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data are used to confirm particle transport from the source regions around the study area to the chosen stations. The results suggest that the maximum aerosol loading occurs over Beijing with the daily mean AOT reaching above 2.0. Gosan and Taipei are among the stations having the smallest AOT in most seasons with values below 0.5. Dust influence appears to be significant over Beijing, Osaka, and Gosan and to a lesser extent over Bac-Giang in the spring. Pollution, bio-mass burning, etc. contribute in the summer and spring over all stations. The detailed AOT characteristic over Mukdahan and Bac-Giang are reported for the first time.

Highlights

Aerosols play a significant role in the Earth’s climate system
Eck et al (2005) reported a wide range of aerosol loading over selected sites in China, Mongolia, Japan, and South Korea, and noted the presence of pollutants even in the seasons usually dominated by dust storms
The aerosol loading observed over Beijing, Osaka, and Gosan, in these months is related to such dust storm events

Summary

Introduction

Aerosols play a significant role in the Earth’s climate system. They affect the amount of short wave radiation that reaches the ground through scattering and absorption, and modify cloud properties, often described as having direct and indirect effects on climate (Tanré et al 1984; Charlson et al 1992; Kaufman and Nakajima 1993; Huang et al 2006; Persad et al 2014). Eck et al (2005) reported a wide range of aerosol loading over selected sites in China, Mongolia, Japan, and South Korea, and noted the presence of pollutants even in the seasons usually dominated by dust storms. Kim et al (2007) analyzed the natural as well as anthropogenic emissions and the local meteorological parameters to understand the seasonal aerosol distribution over the region. These investigations revealed the aerosol characteristics over the individual stations and indicated the extent and impact of the transport processes, underlining the importance of further studies using long-term data sets and continuous monitoring

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion