Impact of meteorological conditions on a nine-day particulate matter pollution event observed in December 2013, Shanghai, China--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Xu, J., Yan, F., Xie, Y., Wang, F., Wu, J., & Fu, Q. (2015). Impact of meteorological conditions on a nine-day particulate matter pollution event observed in December 2013, Shanghai, China. Particuology, 20, 69–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2014.09.001

Impact of meteorological conditions on a nine-day particulate matter pollution event observed in December 2013, Shanghai, China

Jianming Xu ^a *, Fengxia Yan ^b, Ying Xie ^a, Fengyun Wang ^b, Jianbin Wu ^a, Qingyan Fu ^c

a Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, Shanghai 200135, China
b Meteorological Center of Traffic Management Bureau of East China, Shanghai 200135, China
c Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai 200135, China

10.1016/j.partic.2014.09.001

Volume 20, June 2015, Pages 69-79

Received 29 June 2014, Revised 18 August 2014, Accepted 9 September 2014, Available online 12 January 2015.

E-mail: xjmdt@sina.com

Highlights

• Climatologic anomaly was studied for persistent PM pollution events in Shanghai in December 2013.

• High PM_2.5 concentrations were closely associated with a low local ventilation index.

• Upstream aerosol transport by weak cold front attributed to the most severe PM_2.5 pollution.

• Different cold fronts had different effects on local air quality.

Abstract

A severe particulate matter pollution event occurred in Shanghai from 1 to 9 December 2013. The mean hourly mass concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were 211.9 and 249.0 μg/m³, respectively. Reanalysis data, in situ, and remote-sensing measurements were used to examine the impacts of meteorological conditions on this event. It was found that the synoptic pattern of weak pressure, the reduced planetary boundary layer height, and the passage of two cold fronts were key factors causing the event. Four stages were identified during this event based on the evolution of its PM_2.5 levels and weather conditions. The highest concentration of PM_2.5 (602 μg/m³) was observed in stage 3. High PM_2.5 concentrations were closely associated with a low local ventilation index, with an average of 505 m²/s, as well as with the influx of pollutants from upstream, transported by the cold fronts.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Particulate matter; PM_2.5; Pollution event; Planetary boundary layer; Cold front; Urban air pollution

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