Process analysis of characteristics of the boundary layer during a heavy haze pollution episode in an inland megacity, China

Ground observation data from 8 meteorological stations in Xi'an, air mass concentration data from 13 environmental quality monitoring sites in Xi'an, as well as radiosonde observation and wind profile radar data, were used in this study. Thereby, the process, causes and boundary layer meteorological characteristics of a heavy haze episode occurring from 16 to 25 December 2013 in Xi'an were analyzed. Principal component analysis showed that this haze pollution was mainly caused by the high-intensity emission and formation of gaseous pollutants (NO₂, CO and SO₂) and atmospheric particles (PM_2.5 (fine particles) and PM₁₀ (respirable suspended particle). The second cause was the relative humidity and continuous low temperature. The third cause was the allocation of the surface pressure field. The presence of a near-surface temperature inversion at the boundary layer formed favorable stratification conditions for the formation and maintenance of heavy haze pollution. The persistent thick haze layer weakened the solar radiation. Meanwhile, a warming effect in the urban canopy layer and in the transition zone from the urban friction sublayer to the urban canopy was indicated. All these conditions facilitated the maintenance and reinforcement of temperature inversion. The stable atmospheric stratification finally acted on the wind field in the boundary layer, and further weakened the exchange capacity of vertical turbulence. The superposition of a wind field with the horizontal gentle wind induced the typical air stagnation and finally caused the deterioration of air quality during this haze event.     

2014年2月下旬京津冀持续重污染过程的静稳天气及传输条件分析

利用常规气象观测资料、空气质量监测资料、再分析资料和数值模式资料,分析了2014年2月20-26日京津冀地区持续重污染天气过程的环流背景、气象要素特征、静稳天气条件和传输条件.结果表明：2月20-26日,亚洲东部受弱高压脊控制,京津冀及周边地区位于地面高压后部,等压线较为稀疏,气压梯度小,造成地面风速较小;与此同时,混合层高度低,通风系数小和逆温存在,构成重污染天气出现和维持的气象条件,均不利于大气中污染物和水汽的垂直和水平扩散.静稳天气指数对于重污染天气有一定的指示意义,高静稳天气指数通常对应高PM_2.5浓度,且二者变化趋势一致性高;2月20-26日静稳天气指数总体上大于2014年1-3月其他几次污染过程,且在高位长时间维持,造成此次污染过程更严重.此外,传输条件也是京津冀重污染天气的主要成因：地面高压西侧的偏南或偏东气流有助于污染物和水汽向京津冀地区输送和聚集,使能见度进一步降低、污染物浓度进一步升高.