Seasonal Dust Research Articles

Chemical Composition and Size Distribution of Aerosol Particle in High Polluted Periods

In this study, PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations were investigated in Busan Metropolitan City on high pollution episode periods. PM10 and PM2.5 were collected from December 2013 to January 2015. The aerosol samples were collected during Asian dust season and high polluted periods in winter respectively. The collected samples were analyzed by some techniques such as comparison of mass concentration, correlation analysis, chemical composition and particle size distribution. Mass concentration of PM10 in spring season ranged from 62.6 μg/m3 to 131.5 μg/m3. High PM10 and PM2.5 concentration on spring were contributed mainly by Asian-Dust. In wintertime, PM10 and PM2.5 high concentrations were almost contributed by anthropogenic source such as house heating and stagnant meteorological conditions. But, PM2.5 mass concentration did not show any difference according to sampling sites. SEM-EDS results showed that high polluted periods have different chemical composition elements such as Al, Ca, Mo, Zn in spring and Cu, Cr, Mn, Ti, Zr in winter. Particle number distribution on Asian dust season showed that particle counts were increased to the factor of 2 in the size of 5 μm , the size of 3 μm was increased to the factor of 2, the size of 1μm was increased the factor of 1.6 respectively. On the other hands, particle counts in the size of 1 μm and 0.5 μm were decreased to the factor of 1.6 and 0.3 μm was considerably decreased to the factor of 3.5. Finally, it is possible to establish the proper PM pollution control strategy to evaluate levels of high PM10 and PM2.5 pollution periods, chemical composition and size distribution by detail analysis.

Temporal scaling study of particulate matter ([formula omitted]) and solar radiation influences on air temperature in the Caribbean basin using a 3D joint multifractal analysis

In literature, many studies have highlighted the health impact of African dust. To our knowledge, few of them have analyzed the impact of mineral dust on the climate of the Caribbean basin in a multifractal way. In this study, the joint multifractal analysis was performed for three variables coexisting in the same geometric support in order to outline the influence of Particulate Matter (PM10) and Solar Radiation (SR) on air Temperature (TEMP) over a wider range of temporal scales and exponents order. To conduct this analysis, six years of daily time series recorded in Guadeloupe archipelago were used. A 3D joint multifractal analysis was conducted by considering both the strange attraction formalism and the method of moments. The scale dependence among the studied variables was highlighted and the capability of joint multifractal analysis to completely characterize the complex temporal geometry among these non linear natural phenomena was demonstrated. Saharan dust seasonality strongly influenced TEMP values across analyzed temporal scales. We found that multifractality degree is more significant for high dust season. In addition, the single multifractal spectrum always showed the monofractal pattern of TEMP while the fractal dimension differs according to dust seasonality and explanatory variable values, i.e. PM10 and SR. All these results have clearly highlighted the strong influence of PM10 concentration and SR intensity on TEMP value.

Multimodel simulations of a springtime dust storm over northeastern China: implications of an evaluation of four commonly used air quality models (CMAQ v5.2.1, CAMx v6.50, CHIMERE v2017r4, and WRF-Chem v3.9.1)

Abstract. Mineral dust particles play an important role in the Earth system, imposing a variety of effects on air quality, climate, human health, and economy. Accurate forecasts of dust events are highly desirable to provide an early warning and inform the decision-making process. East Asia is one of the largest dust sources in the world. This study applies and evaluates four widely used regional air quality models to simulate dust storms in northeastern China. Three dust schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) (version 3.9.1), two schemes in both CHIMERE (version 2017r4) and CMAQ (version 5.2.1), and one scheme in CAMx (version 6.50) were applied to a dust event during 4–6 May 2015 in northeastern China. Most of these models were able to capture this dust event with the exception of CAMx, which has no dust source map covering the study area; hence, another dust source mask map was introduced to replace the default one for the subsequent simulation. Although these models reproduced the spatial pattern of the dust plume, there were large discrepancies between predicted and observed PM10 concentrations in each model. In general, CHIMERE had relatively better performance among all simulations with default configurations. After parameter tuning, WRF-Chem with the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) scheme using a seasonal dust source map from Ginoux et al. (2012) showed the best performance, followed by WRF-Chem with the UOC_Shao2004 scheme, CHIMERE, and CMAQ. The performance of CAMx had significantly improved by substituting the default dust map and removing the friction velocity limitation. This study suggested that the dust source maps should be carefully selected on a regional scale or replaced with a new one constructed with local data. Moreover, further study and measurement of sandblasting efficiency of different soil types and locations should be conducted to improve the accuracy of estimated vertical dust fluxes in air quality models.

Seasonal Variations and Global Wave Distributions in the Mars Thermosphere From MAVEN and Multisatellites Accelerometer‐Derived Mass Densities

AbstractMartian lower thermospheric variations are complex due to internal surface dust storms and external solar activities. However, limited Martian measurement data are restricted to observe and understand its variations in the past. In this paper, multisatellite accelerometer‐derived densities and the Mars Climate Database are used to investigate seasonal variations, gravity waves, and coupling effects with the internal and external inputs, including Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN Mission. The diurnal and seasonal structures are reconstructed by the data, and the phase of the cycles is formed by solar heating/ionizing processes. Both amplitude and phase are impacted by surface dust activities during autumn and winter, for which density increases about 1.5–3.5 times compared to spring and summer seasons. A parameterized model that includes a newly introduced dust index is proposed to well fit and reinterpret the seasonal cycles. Furthermore, the coupling process between internal atmospheric gravity waves (IAGWs) and dust activities are investigated and explained. During dust storm times/seasons, the IAGWs exhibit both narrower amplitude peaks and deposit their energy at higher altitudes relative to “clear sky” times. The IAGWs could extend their energies into higher layers beyond exobase due to a thermospheric layer expansion(i.e., density increase) during dust seasons.

Seasonal thermal inertia variations at Gale crater: Role of active surface deposition phenomena

Thermal inertia has been found to play a significant role in planetary remote sensing applications, forming the basis of potentially all major lithological discriminations of the planetary surface. It has always been visualised to serve as a distinctive thermal property of the surface with its values remaining fairly constant at least for a short time period, unless the surface undergoes extensive and rapid degradation. Thermal inertia for Mars has been previously calculated from point spectrometer, orbiter and rover measurements and they have been successfully used for surface geologic interpretations. The present study computes surface thermal inertia over 12 sols along Curiosity's traverse at Gale crater using Thermal Infrared Imaging System (THEMIS) and Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) observations and attempts to analyse the same on a seasonal timescale. We find that surface thermal inertia at Gale follows a seasonal sinusoidal behaviour with the surface exhibiting maximum and minimum thermal inertia values during southern autumn and spring respectively, the difference between them of the order of 300 to 400 t.i.u. We have attempted here to illustrate that the seasonal behaviour seen in surface thermal inertia may be the result of active surface deposition processes localised to Gale. In this regard, we have also explored the potential role of seasonal dust and water ice deposition in contributing to these observed variations, effectively concluding that seasonal dust deposition could be a highly likely cause to which these seasonal thermal inertia changes can be attributed to.

Evaluating the relative importance of northern African mineral dust sources using remote sensing

Abstract. Northern African mineral dust provides the Amazon Basin with essential nutrients during the boreal winter months, when the trajectory of the Saharan dust plume is towards South America. This process, however, is still poorly understood. There is little knowledge of where the dust is coming from, and, thus, little information regarding the concentration of nutrients in the dust. This information is vital to assess the impact it will have on the Amazon. In order to further our understanding of the problem, this study analyses northern African dust sources of the boreal winter dust seasons between the years 2015 and 2017. It utilises high spatio-temporal resolution remote sensing data from SEVIRI, MODIS, VIIRS, and Sentinel-2 to identify dust sources, classify them according to a geomorphic dust source scheme, and quantify the relative importance of source regions by calculating the total dust mass they produce. Results indicate that palaeolakes emit the most dust, with the Bodélé Depression as the single largest dust source region. However, alluvial deposits also produce a substantial amount of dust. During the boreal winter dust seasons of 2015–2017, ∼36 % of the total dust mass emitted from northern Africa was associated with alluvial deposits, yet this geomorphic category has been relatively understudied to date. Furthermore, sand deposits were found to produce relatively little dust, in contrast to the results of other recent studies.

Seasonal Prediction Potential for Springtime Dustiness in the United States

AbstractMost dust forecast models focus on short, subseasonal lead times, that is, 3 to 6 days, and the skill of seasonal prediction is not clear. In this study we examine the potential of seasonal dust prediction in the United States using an observation‐constrained regression model and key variables predicted by a seasonal prediction model developed at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, the Forecast‐Oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR) model. Our method shows skillful predictions of spring dustiness 3 to 6 months in advance. It is found that the regression model explains about 71% of the variances of dust event frequency over the Great Plains and 63% over the southwestern United States in March‐May from 2004 to 2016 using predictors from FLOR initialized on 1 December. Variations in springtime dustiness are dominated by springtime climatic factors rather than wintertime factors. Findings here will help development of a seasonal dust prediction system and hazard prevention.

Health effects of diesel engine exhaust emissions exposure (DEEE) can mimic allergic asthma and rhinitis

BackgroundPatients presenting to Accident and Emergency (A&E) facilities with dyspnoea, coughing, wheezing and nasal blockage are presumed to have allergic asthma and/or rhinitis. Occupational asthma (OA), which has similar symptoms is rarely considered. Triggers of OA include exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions exposure (DEEEE) that are carcinogenic. We report the case of a patient who presented to an A&E facility with asthma-like symptoms, was treated for allergic asthma. Frequent exacerbations were experienced. Upon investigations it was shown that were symptoms triggered by DEEE exposure.Case presentationA 36-year-old female bank employee was referred for the evaluation of suspected asthma. She reported a 3-month history of symptoms suggestive of asthma and rhinitis, for which she had previously required A&E treatment. There was no history of atopy. The symptoms only occurred at work or after work. Their onset had coincided with changing offices to one located proximal to a diesel-powered electricity generator. A diagnosis of asthma had been made at the A&E facility and the appropriately used inhaled fluticasone and salbutamol provided limited relief. Skin prick testing was weakly positive for seasonal pollen and house dust mite allergens. Allergen specific IgE tests for 16 regionally relevant aeroallergens were negative. Tests to exclude connective tissue diseases were positive for the anti-Ro-52/TRIM-21 autoantibody. Baseline spirometry values were markedly reduced and bronchodilator administration showed limited reversibility, FEV1 (+ 8%), PEF (+ 5%). Following a 10-day discontinuation of work exposure, the symptoms abated and FEV1 and PEF increased by 10–14% from baseline. The recent onset of asthma, in a non-atopic adult, with workday related symptoms and improvement upon discontinuation of exposure were attributed to passive occupational exposure to DEEE. The diesel generator was relocated, a short course of inhaled fluticasone and oral prednisolone was prescribed and symptoms resolved. This is the first report of the health effects of DEEE mimicking asthma and rhinitis in Zimbabwe.ConclusionsAtypical presentations of adult onset asthma in the absence of a history of either atopy or allergen specific IgE antibody sensitization should trigger in-depth evaluation of occupational exposure in all cases including office workers. Serial monitoring of lung function values should be used for diagnostic and monitoring of the patients.

A seriously sand storm mixed air-polluted area in the margin of Tarim Basin: Temporal-spatial distribution and potential sources

In order to analyze the temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO and O3 in five cities and the potential sources of PM10 in southern Xinjiang during 2016, we collected one year officially released data for analysis. The average PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, O3 and CO concentrations were 289 ± 363, 99 ± 106, 17 ± 9, 29 ± 11, 65 ± 25 μg m−3 and 1.3 ± 0.6 mg m−3 in southern Xinjiang in 2016, respectively. The air pollutants presented distinct seasonal and spatial distribution characteristics. During sandstorm process, the particulate matters (PM) concentrations increased abruptly, with the PM10 and PM2.5 maximum concentrations exceeding 1000 and 500 μg m−3 in each city. The backward trajectory results showed that the air masses in Akesu, Kurla, Hotan, Kashi and Atushi were mainly from the Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Kyrgyzstan, Kizilesu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture and Taklimakan Desert (TD). In addition, TD was the main potential contributor to ambient PM10 in five cities during the dust season (DS), with a weighted potential source contribution function (WPSCF) > 0.9. While the trajectories of air masses from TD, Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Urumqi-Changji Area and local emission were potential sources contributing to PM2.5 in these five cities during DS, with a WPSCF > 0.7. Moreover, the high weighted concentration weighted trajectory (WCWT) values were distributed in the Tarim basin, with PM10 > 700 μg m−3, however, the local emission and long distance transport contributed to the PM2.5 > 160 μg m−3 for five cities. This study comprehensively analyzes the pollution characteristics of air pollutants in five important cities in the southern margin of the Tarim Basin for the first time, and will provide an important reference basis for the prevention and control of air pollution in southern Xinjiang.

Parameterization schemes on dust deposition in northwest China: Model validation and implications for the global dust cycle

Accurate estimation of dust deposition is of significance for modelling global radiation and the biochemical carbon cycle in the earth system. However, the paucity of dust deposition data precludes our ability to adequately verify estimations of dust deposition. Based on the environmental monitoring records in Xinjiang Province, northwest China, we conducted a numerical simulation of dust deposition using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) and compared observed and modelled deposition during the spring dust season (March–May). The performance of WRF-Chem on modelling dust deposition was tested and evaluated with adoption of Georgia Tech/Goddard Global Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) and Shao et al. (2011a) dust emission schemes. Our results indicate that the dry deposition schemes have the capability to predict size-resolved dust deposition. However, modelled and measured dust deposition differed by more than one order of magnitude. The modelled dust dry deposition does not satisfactorily agree well with field measurements. This study suggests significant distinctions exist among these two dust emission schemes when simulating mineral dust dry deposition in northwest China. Uncertainties in estimating the dry dust deposition are in a range of 77–96%. These uncertainties imply that parameterization in the current dust deposition schemes need to be further improved. We found that the estimation of dust deposition is highly underestimated by the Global Climate Model and Regional Climate Model (GCM/RCM). Thus global dust cycles and dust deposition may exceed our current estimates.

Seasonal Variability of Deuterium in the Upper Atmosphere of Mars

AbstractMeasurements by multiple Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission instruments, obtained between November 2014 and November 2017, are analyzed to produce deuterium properties in the upper atmosphere of Mars. We show here, for the first time, the seasonal distribution and variability of D densities, temperatures, and estimated Jeans escape rates at the exobase (200 km). Within the data constraints, it is found that the variations in D properties are similar for the northern and southern hemispheres, and peak near southern summer solstice. Trends in the D Lyman‐α brightness, temperature, density, and escape rate are increasing during the beginning of the dust storm season, peak near southern summer solstice, and decrease toward the end of the dust storm season. This suggests that seasonal drivers at Mars cause deuterium in the upper atmosphere to become globally enhanced when Mars is closest to the Sun and during the Martian dust season when water is provided to the upper atmosphere by subsurface, hydrological, and dust storm dynamics.

Observational evidence for a dry dust-wind origin of Mars seasonal dark flows

Seasonal flows on warm slopes, or recurring slope lineae (“RSL”), have been presented as strong evidence for currently flowing water on Mars. This assumption was supported by a correlation between activity and warm temperatures, and by the spectral identification of hydrated salts. Here we first demonstrate that salts spectral identification is not robust, and that flow activity occurs on a wider range of seasons and slope orientations than previously thought, ruling out liquid water as a probable contributor. We then show that morphology, location and timing of flow activity is fully consistent with the removal and deposition of bright dust above darker underlying surfaces occurring notably in relation with seasonal dust storm activity. Mars recurring slope lineae are thus consistent with dust movements typical of present-day dry planet Mars.

A Decadal Data Set of Global Atmospheric Dust Retrieved From IASI Satellite Measurements

AbstractAerosol is an important component of the Earth's atmosphere, affecting weather, climate, and diverse elements of the biosphere. Satellite sounders are an essential tool for measuring the highly variable distributions of atmospheric aerosol. Here we present a new algorithm for estimating atmospheric dust optical depths and associated retrieval uncertainties from spectral radiance measurements of the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). The retrieval is based on the calculation of a dust index and on a neural network trained with synthetic IASI spectra. It has an inherent high sensitivity to dust and efficiently discriminates dust from other aerosols. In particular, over remote dust‐free areas, the retrieved levels of optical depth have a low bias. Over sea, noise levels are markedly lower than over land. Performance over deserts is comparable to that of other land surfaces. We use ground‐based coarse mode aerosol measurements from the AErosol RObotic NETwork to validate the new product. The overall assessment is favorable, with standard deviations in line with estimated uncertainties, low biases, and high correlation coefficients. However, a systematic relative bias occurs between sites dominated by African and Asian dust sources respectively, likely linked to differences in mineralogy. The retrieval has been performed on over a decade of IASI data, and the resulting data set is now publicly available. We present a global seasonal dust climatology based on this record and compare it with those obtained from independent satellite measurements (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and a third‐party IASI product) and dust optical depth from the ECMWF model.

Statistical Air Pollution Index (API) for Trinidad and Tobago Based on Observed Data on Trinidad’s West Coast

Air pollution has been identified as the largest global environmental threat facing the world today, estimated to cause 7 - 10 million deaths worldwide annually (World Health Organisation, 2014, 2016; Yale University, 2018). Trinidad and Tobago, with a per capita GDP of USD$16310 (2019), is the most industrialised of the Caribbean islands, and like the rest of the Caribbean region is also affected by seasonal Sahara dust (<PM2.5). Assessment of the air quality was done for over Trinidad’s west coast. Pollution was measured at four stations during March ‘15-May ‘16, representative of rural, urban, mixed background and industrial land uses. Annual mean PM2.5 and PM10 in ambient air exceeded the WHO guidelines for protection of public health (n = 522). PM2.5 and PM10 exceed the WHO (2006) safe limit guidelines (PM2.5 is 10 μg/m3; PM10 is 20 μg/m3) over 70% of the time sampled at urban and industrial sites. Gaseous pollutants found to be in exceedance were CO, NH3, NO2, N2O, C6H6. Nitrogen dioxide and benzene were the most prolific. A collated metric based on measurement of these pollutants yielded a statistically validated algorithm—An Air Pollution Index. The single metric can convey useful and easily understood information on air quality to the regulators and the general public.

Influence of Central Siberian Snow‐Albedo Feedback on the Spring East Asian Dust Cycle and Connection With the Preceding Winter Arctic Oscillation

AbstractThe Asian dust cycle has significant effects on the climate and environment, while its spatiotemporal variability and change mechanisms are not yet completely understood. Reanalysis data from the Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA2), data set are used to explore the spatiotemporal distribution of the East Asian dust cycle and possible reasons for the interannual variations. Based on the empirical orthogonal function analysis, the dominant mode of dust emissions from the East Asian deserts in the dust season (spring) shows that the Gobi Desert contributes most of the interannual variance of dust emissions in East Asia. The patterns of the regional circulation, temperature, and radiation are analyzed by regressing these variables against the principal component time series of the first empirical orthogonal function mode. The results show that the enhanced dust emissions are associated with a cyclonic circulation anomaly and cooling in the lower and middle troposphere over Central Siberia. The cooling is attributed to local snow‐albedo and cloud‐albedo feedbacks. The surface cooling is conducive to maintain the snow cover, whereas the cooling in the middle troposphere is associated with the increase of the relative humidity and cloud cover. The increased snow and cloud cover reflect more shortwave radiation, tending to maintain or amplify the surface cooling. It is also found that the negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation in winter initiates the surface cooling in the next spring and results in positive snow‐albedo and cloud feedbacks in Central Siberia, eventually enhancing the East Asian dust cycle.

Seasonal Deposition and Lifting of Dust on Mars as Observed by the Curiosity Rover

In situ measurements by the Curiosity rover provide a unique opportunity for studying the effects of dust on assets placed at the surface of Mars. Here we use in situ measurements of solar UV radiation to quantify the seasonal and interannual variability of dust accumulation on the sensor on the rover deck. We show that the amount of dust accumulated on the sensor follows a seasonal cycle, with net dust removal during the perihelion season until Ls ~ 300°, and net dust deposition until the end of the aphelion season (Ls ~ 300°–180°). We use independent in situ measurements of atmospheric opacity and pressure perturbations in combination with numerical modeling, showing that daytime convective vortices and nighttime winds are likely responsible for the seasonal dust cleaning, with the role of nighttime wind being more important in Martian Year (MY) 32 than in MY 33 and that of daytime convective vortices being more important in MY 33 than in MY 32. The fact that the UV sensor is cleaner in MY 33 than in MY 32 indicates that natural cleaning events make solar energy an excellent candidate to power extended (multiannual) Mars missions at similar latitudes as the Curiosity rover.

Ambient Ultra-Fine Particle Exposure Assessment Based on Mobile and Stationary Monitoring during Fine Dust Season in Stuttgart, Germany

Ambient Ultra-Fine Particle Exposure Assessment Based on Mobile and Stationary Monitoring during Fine Dust Season in Stuttgart, Germany

First long-term detection of paleo-oceanic signature of dust aerosol at the southern marginal area of the Taklimakan Desert

We firstly conducted a long-term in-situ field measurement at a marginal area (Hotan) of the southern Taklimakan Desert covering all four seasons. Detailed chemical characterization of dust aerosol over Hotan showed several unconventional features, including (1) ubiquity of high Na+ and Cl− abundances in the Taklimakan dust aerosol and its Cl−/Na+ ratio close to seawater; (2) high Ca content in the Taklimakan dust (7.4~8.0%) which was about two times of that in the natural crust; (3) high abundance of soluble sulfate concentrations and strong correlations between sulfate and Na+ and Cl− as well as typical mineral tracers such as Al and Ca. Our results collectively indicated that the dust aerosol from the Taklimakan Desert was characterized of evident paelo-oceanic signature as the Taklimakan Desert was found as an ocean in the ancient times from the perspective of paleogeology. It was estimated that primary sources dominated the total abundances of sulfate during the dust seasons while previous climate modeling works had seldom considered the cooling effects of sulfate from the Taklimakan Desert.

The Lake Urmia environmental disaster in Iran: A look at aerosol pollution

Lake Urmia (LU) once was the second largest hypersaline lake in the world, covering up to 6000km2, but has undergone catastrophic desiccation in recent years resulting in loss of 90% of its area and extensive coverage by playas and marshlands that represent a source of salt and dust. This study examines daily Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) between 2001 and 2015 over northwestern Iran, which encompasses LU. Intriguingly, salt emissions from the LU surface associated with ongoing desiccation do not drive the study region's AOD profile, whereas pollution transported from other regions and emissions around LU are more important. Signatures of increasing local crustal emissions are most evident outside of the peak dust season (January, February, and October) and on the periphery of LU. AOD has generally increased in the latter half of the study period with the onset of the AOD ramp-up starting a month earlier in the spring season when comparing 2009–2015 versus earlier years. Results indicate that suppression of emissions on the LU border is critical as the combined area of salt and salty soil bodies around LU have increased by two orders of magnitude in the past two decades, and disturbing these areas via activities such as grazing and salt harvesting on the lake surface can have more detrimental impacts on regional pollution as compared to benefits. These results have important implications for public health, climate, the hydrological cycle, and pollution control efforts.

40 Years of ASEAN Environmental Governance: Enhancing Asean Centrality Through the ASEAN Plus Three (APT)

The environment has formally held a position in ASEAN’s regional agenda for a significant period of ASEAN’s 50 years history - since 1977 in fact, making ASEAN having 40 years of regional environmental governance experience. One of the most active areas of environmental cooperation at the ASEAN level has been over transboundary haze issues. This paper argues that ASEAN’s decades of experience in environmental cooperation can serve as lessons for other parts of the world. In particular, Northeast Asia which currently faces seasonal dust and sandstorms (DSS) that affect China, South Korea and Japan. The nature of the DSS problem is much in common with the transboundary haze problem in Southeast Asia. While the haze in Southeast Asia still persists, indicating that the ASEAN haze regime cannot be considered completely successful just yet, the ASEAN model of haze cooperation does contain some lessons that may be informative to Northeast Asia in DSS mitigation. In consideration of this, the paper proposes the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Environment Ministers Meeting as an existing framework that can serve as an umbrella mechanism for the reconfiguration of cooperation over DSS.