Meteorological potential of the atmosphere: Irkutsk – Beijing – Ulan-Bator

Abstract

The air quality is one of most relevant problem connected with the quality of life for human population and preservation of the Earth’s ecosystem. Here we examined and analyzed the atmospheric ability to self-purification according to the method proposed by T.S. Selegay over the cities of Irkutsk, Beijing, and Ulan-Bator. The meteorological potential of the atmosphere (MPA) was chosen as a criterion for estimating of the atmospheric self-purification. In summer season 2017 meteorological conditions over the cities of Irkutsk and Ulan-Bator contributed to the dispersion of impurities in the atmosphere. MPA in Irkutsk in summer was 0.99, in Ulan-Bator 0.78. In summer 2017 and in winter 2017-2018 in Beijing occurred unfavorable meteorological conditions (UMC) which did not contribute to self-purification of the atmosphere from pollution. Summer MPA in Beijing varied from 2.14 to 4.66 with an average of 3.69. During the winter months in all three cities MPA was >1 which indicates the accumulation of impurities in the atmosphere. In Ulan-Bator unfavorable conditions for dispersion were developed and the maximum MPA index (9.5) was observed in December. Calm weather made the biggest contribution to the deterioration of the self-purification ability of the Ulan-Bator atmosphere in winter. The maximum accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere over Beijing occurs in winter. MPA varied from 15.0 in February to 19.0 in December with average value of 16.7. The fogs made the biggest contribution to the deterioration of the self-purification ability of the Beijing atmosphere in December-February.