Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the performance of an air pollution forecasting system during a scientific cruise in the South China Sea (SCS) from 9 August to 7 September 2016. The air pollution forecasting system consisted of a Lagrangian transport and dispersion model, the flexible particle dispersion model (FLEXPART), coupled with a high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). The model system generally reproduced the meteorological variability and reasonably simulated the distribution of aerosols both vertically and horizontally along the cruise path. The forecasting system was further used to study the regional transport of non-local aerosols over the SCS and track its sources during the cruise. The model results showed that Southeast Asia contributed to more than 90% of the non-local aerosols over the northern region of the SCS due to the southwesterly prevailing winds. Specifically, the largest mean contribution was from Vietnam (39.6%), followed by Thailand (25.1%). This study indicates that the model system can be applied to study regional aerosols transport and provide air pollution forecasts in the SCS.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
We performed a comprehensive evaluation of Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) simulation performance
The mean absolute error (MAE) can accurately represent the actual prediction error, since it avoids an issue in which multiple predictions that have both positive and negative errors may compensate, leading to smaller than expected total error
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Suspended liquid or solid particles in the atmosphere, called as aerosols [1], can significantly change the balance of the energy budget between the earth and atmosphere by absorbing and scattering solar radiation, and altering atmospheric vertical temperature structure and formation of cloud condensation nuclei, leading to regional, or even global, climate change [2,3,4,5,6]. The South China Sea (SCS), shown, is the western part of the Pacific Ocean and one of the three major marginal seas of China [7]. Aerosols over the SCS originate from multiple sources
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
