Vertical variation of atmospheric particulate matter under different pollution levels in the suburbs of Tianjin based on unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

ABSTRACT An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with an isokinetic sampling device and a portable aerosol particle size spectrometer was used to detect atmospheric particles at different altitudes in the suburbs of Tianjin. In January 2017, four flight tests under different air conditions were conducted, and the Severe polluted and Excellent levels were classified according to the air quality index of the State-controlled site. Changes in mass concentration with altitude, and the vertical distribution of mass concentration and number concentration spectrum were analyzed. Results showed that under the Severe polluted condition, the concentration of particulate matter (PM) decreased significantly within 200 m, and became stable above 400 m. Two peaks at 260 m and 400 m were observed – they were attributed to local emissions and transportation of nearby areas. When the mass concentration significantly increased, the greatest contributor was particles with a size of 15–30 μm. As altitude increased, PM with the size of less than 1 μm accounted for the largest proportion. Regarding number concentration, the main particle size was less than 0.35 μm. Under the Excellent condition, particles less than 0.35 μm in size were the most important components in mass and number concentrations. Correlation analysis of meteorological factors and backward trajectory indicated that pollution was caused by particle concentration transport in several provinces and the particle accumulation due to temperature inversion.Implications: Study on the vertical structure of air pollutants was very important for understanding the occurrence and development of regional heavy pollution. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was an efficient method for its easy operation, good stability, high flexibility and safety, and was introduced to observe the vertical distribution characteristics of particle concentration under different weather conditions. This study provided the number concentration spectra and the mass concentration spectra at different height, and would give some support for the precise control of air pollution.