Characteristics of atmospheric visibility change and its influence factors in Hefei City, Anhui, China.

Abstract

Using the observation data of Hefei atmospheric visibility and meteorological elements and PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at same period from October 2013 to June 2015, based on comprehensive analysis of the impact factors on atmospheric visibility, the relationships among the relative humidity (RH), PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and visibility were explored. The results showed that the correlation between RH and Hefei atmospheric visibility was most significant during the period of study. When RH<60%, the coefficients of correlation between PM2.5, PM10 concentrations and atmospheric visibility increased gradually with the increasing RH. When RH>60%, the coefficients of correlation between the particles concentration in atmosphere and atmospheric visibility showed a decreasing trend. When 50%≤RH<60%, the coefficients of correlation between PM2.5, PM10 concentrations and atmosphere visibility were higher. When RH was relatively higher, the atmospheric visibility was mainly affected by the relative humidity, on the contrary, the concentration of particles had a greater influence on the visibility. When RH>70%, the change amplitude of contour line of atmospheric visibility was larger, and the impacts of RH on atmospheric visibility were intensified. According to the formula fitted by the data of RH, PM2.5, PM10 concentrations and atmospheric visibility, the nonlinear fitting model was better than multivariate linear fitting model in simulating the change of atmospheric visibility.