Scattering properties of the atmospheric aerosol in Beijing, China

Abstract

Measurements of aerosol scattering coefficient (σ sp) and PM 2.5 concentration obtained during June 2008 to May 2009 at urban, suburban, and rural sites in Beijing area. The mean value of σ sp during measurement period was 301 ± 307, 263 ± 263, 182 ± 201 Mm − 1 at Baolian (BL: urban site), Changping (CP: suburban site) and Shangdianzi (SDZ: rural site), respectively. The seasonal and diurnal patterns of σ sp were analyzed with the measurement data. The σ sp showed different seasonal and diurnal patterns at these three sites. The seasonal fluctuations inσ sp in urban area were mostly influenced by seasonal variability in both emissions and meteorological conditions, while the seasonal wind patterns seemed to dominate the σ sp in the suburban and rural areas. The diurnal activity of σ sp generally showed a bimodal, trimodal and a unimodal pattern at BL, CP and SDZ sites, respectively. The diurnal variation of boundary layer height companying with source activity was mainly dominated the diurnal variation of σ sp at urban and suburban sites. The mountain-valley breeze and boundary layer growth in SDZ region mostly dominated the diurnal variation of σ sp. The mass scattering efficiency of PM 2.5 was estimated at BL and SDZ, which showed a decreasing trend from urban to rural site with different seasonal variation at two sites. During fog and haze episodes, the lower northeasterly winds could result in significant spatial difference in σ sp, while the σ sp was spatially uniform under the influence of stronger southerly winds.