Abstract
In this study, mass concentrations and chemical compositions of fine particles, mass concentrations of coarse particles, light extinction, and meteorological parameters in the atmosphere ofXiamenwere presented and analyzed to study the chemical and optical characteristics of a typical haze episode from Dec 25, 2010 to Jan 1, 2011. The major chemical compositions of PM2.5, such as water soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs), carbonaceous fractions (mainly composed of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC)), and elements were determined. The results showed that with the typical haze episode process, the concentrations of PM2.5 mass, WSIIs, OC, EC, and TE first increased and then decreased. The average concentrations of PM2.5 mass in the stages of Before Haze, During Haze, and After Haze were (88.80 ± 19.97), (135.41 ± 36.20), and (96.35 ± 36.26) μg/m3, respectively. The corresponding average concentrations of secondary organic carbon (SOC) were 6.72, 8.18, and 10.39 μg/m3, accounting for 46.5%, 27.0%, and 61.0% of OC, respectively. S42- , NO3-, and NH4+ were three major WSIIs species, accounting for 31.4%, 26.0%, and 12.1% of total WSIIs. The major elements in PM2.5 were S, K, Fe, Zn, Pb, Ti, and Mn, covering 97.9% of the total elements, while the percentage of the other ten elements was only 2.1%. The average value of light extinction coefficients (bext) was 371.0 ±147.1 Mm-1 during the typical haze episode. The average percentage contributions to bext were 39.3% for organic mass, 19.9% for elemental carbon, 16.0% for ammonium sulfate, 13.0% for coarse mass, and 11.8% for ammonium nitrate.
Highlights
Haze is defined by China Meteorological Administration as the phenomenon which leads to atmospheric visibility less than 10 km due to the suspended particles, smoke, and vapor in the atmosphere [1]
The major chemical compositions in PM2.5, such as water soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs), carbonaceous fractions, mainly composed of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), and elements have been found to be widely associated with health problems [11,12,13,14,15]
When relative humidity is greater than 90%, fog is the major factor that reduces visibility, whereas when relative humidity is less than 90%, haze plays a major role
Summary
Haze is defined by China Meteorological Administration as the phenomenon which leads to atmospheric visibility less than 10 km due to the suspended particles, smoke, and vapor in the atmosphere [1]. Related to chemical compositions and meteorological conditions, haze has adverse effects on air quality, human health, visibility, cloud formation and even global climate [2,3,4]. Haze has been given much attention in many countries. Fine particles (aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm, PM2.5) play an important role on the formation of haze [10]. The major chemical compositions in PM2.5, such as water soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs), carbonaceous fractions, mainly composed of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), and elements have been found to be widely associated with health problems [11,12,13,14,15]
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