Articles | Volume 20, issue 23
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14873-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14873-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
The warming Tibetan Plateau improves winter air quality in the Sichuan Basin, China
Shuyu Zhao
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of
Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China
Tian Feng
Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Ningbo
University, Ningbo, 315211, China
Xuexi Tie
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of
Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China
Center for Excellence in Urban Atmospheric Environment, Institute of
Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
Zebin Wang
Northwest Air Traffic Management Bureau, Civil Aviation Administration
of China, Xi'an, 712000, China
Related authors
Shuyu Zhao, Tian Feng, Xuexi Tie, Biao Tian, Xiao Hu, Bo Hu, Dong Yang, Sinan Gu, and Minghu Ding
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12483–12496, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12483-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12483-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated how cloud–radiation interactions influence ozone formation in a warming climate. Using measurements, reanalysis data, and models, we found that cloud–radiation interactions can worsen O3 pollution, and climate warming will amplify the influence. We highlight that climate change will pose greater challenges for China's O3 pollution prevention and control, and actions such as reducing O3 precursors emissions and mitigating climate change are urgently needed.
Tian Feng, Guohui Li, Shuyu Zhao, Naifang Bei, Xin Long, Yuepeng Pan, Yu Song, Ruonan Wang, Xuexi Tie, and Luisa T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11703–11718, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11703-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11703-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The impacts of agricultural fertilization on nitrogen oxide and air quality are becoming more pronounced with continuous reductions in fossil fuel sources in China. We report that atmospheric nitrogen dioxide pulses driven by agricultural fertilization largely complicate air pollution in the North China Plain, highlighting the necessity of agricultural emission control.
Shuyu Zhao, Tian Feng, Xuexi Tie, Biao Tian, Xiao Hu, Bo Hu, Dong Yang, Sinan Gu, and Minghu Ding
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12483–12496, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12483-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12483-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated how cloud–radiation interactions influence ozone formation in a warming climate. Using measurements, reanalysis data, and models, we found that cloud–radiation interactions can worsen O3 pollution, and climate warming will amplify the influence. We highlight that climate change will pose greater challenges for China's O3 pollution prevention and control, and actions such as reducing O3 precursors emissions and mitigating climate change are urgently needed.
Tian Feng, Guohui Li, Shuyu Zhao, Naifang Bei, Xin Long, Yuepeng Pan, Yu Song, Ruonan Wang, Xuexi Tie, and Luisa T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11703–11718, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11703-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11703-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The impacts of agricultural fertilization on nitrogen oxide and air quality are becoming more pronounced with continuous reductions in fossil fuel sources in China. We report that atmospheric nitrogen dioxide pulses driven by agricultural fertilization largely complicate air pollution in the North China Plain, highlighting the necessity of agricultural emission control.
Jiamao Zhou, Jiarui Wu, Xiaoli Su, Ruonan Wang, Imad EI Haddad, Xia Li, Qian Jiang, Ting Zhang, Wenting Dai, Junji Cao, Andre S. H. Prevot, Xuexi Tie, and Guohui Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7563–7580, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7563-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7563-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) is a type of airborne particle produced from various combustion sources which is light absorption. Historically, climate models have categorizing organic particles as either non-absorbing or purely reflective. Our study shows that BrC can reduce the usual cooling effect of organic particles. While BrC is often linked to biomass burning, however, BrC from fossil fuels contributes significantly to atmospheric heating.
Lang Liu, Xin Long, Yi Li, Zengliang Zang, Fengwen Wang, Yan Han, Zhier Bao, Yang Chen, Tian Feng, and Jinxin Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1569–1585, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1569-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses WRF-Chem to assess how meteorological conditions and emission reductions affected fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the North China Plain (NCP). It highlights regional disparities: in the northern NCP, adverse weather negated emission reduction effects. In contrast, the southern NCP featured a PM2.5 decrease due to favorable weather and emission reductions. The research highlighted the interaction between emissions, meteorology, and PM2.5.
Jiarui Wu, Naifang Bei, Yuan Wang, Xia Li, Suixin Liu, Lang Liu, Ruonan Wang, Jiaoyang Yu, Tianhao Le, Min Zuo, Zhenxing Shen, Junji Cao, Xuexi Tie, and Guohui Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2229–2249, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2229-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2229-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A source-oriented version of the WRF-Chem model is developed to conduct source identification of wintertime PM2.5 in the North China Plain. Trans-boundary transport of air pollutants generally dominates the haze pollution in Beijing and Tianjin. The air quality in Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi is generally controlled by local emissions. Primary aerosol species, such as EC and POA, are generally controlled by local emissions, while secondary aerosol shows evident regional characteristics.
Cited articles
Bei, N., Li, G., Huang, R.-J., Cao, J., Meng, N., Feng, T., Liu, S., Zhang, T., Zhang, Q., and Molina, L. T.: Typical synoptic situations and their impacts on the wintertime air pollution in the Guanzhong basin, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 7373–7387, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7373-2016, 2016.
Bei, N., Zhao, L., Xiao, B., Meng, N., and Feng, T.: Impacts of local
circulations on the wintertime air pollution in the Guanzhong Basin, China,
Sci. Total Environ., 592, 373–390,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.151, 2017.
Binkowski, F. S.: Models-3 Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model
aerosol component 1. Model description, J. Geophys. Res., 108, 2981,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD001409, 2003.
Cai, W., Li, K., Liao, H., Wang, H., and Wu, L.: Weather conditions conducive
to Beijing severe haze more frequent under climate change, Nat. Clim.
Change, 7, 257–262, https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3249, 2017.
Chen, F. and Dudhia, J.: Coupling an Advanced Land Surface–Hydrology Model
with the Penn State–NCAR MM5 Modeling System. Part I: Model Implementation
and Sensitivity, Mon. Weather Rev., 129, 569–585,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(2001)129<0569:CAALSH>2.0.CO;2,
2001.
De Sario, M., Katsouyanni, K., and Michelozzi, P.: Climate change, extreme
weather events, air pollution and respiratory health in Europe, Eur. Respir.
J., 42, 826–843, https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00074712, 2013.
Duan, A., Wu, G., Liu, Y., Ma, Y., and Zhao, P.: Weather and climate effects
of the Tibetan Plateau, Adv. Atmos. Sci., 29, 978–992,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-012-1220-y, 2012.
Dudhia, J.: Numerical Study of Convection Observed during the Winter Monsoon
Experiment Using a Mesoscale Two-Dimensional Model, J. Atmos. Sci., 46,
3077–3107, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1989)046<3077:NSOCOD>2.0.CO;2, 1989.
Emmons, L. K., Walters, S., Hess, P. G., Lamarque, J.-F., Pfister, G. G., Fillmore, D., Granier, C., Guenther, A., Kinnison, D., Laepple, T., Orlando, J., Tie, X., Tyndall, G., Wiedinmyer, C., Baughcum, S. L., and Kloster, S.: Description and evaluation of the Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers, version 4 (MOZART-4), Geosci. Model Dev., 3, 43–67, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-3-43-2010, 2010.
Fan, S. J., Fan, Q., Yu, W., Luo, X. Y., Wang, B. M., Song, L. L., and Leong, K. L.: Atmospheric boundary layer characteristics over the Pearl River Delta, China, during the summer of 2006: measurement and model results, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 6297–6310, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6297-2011, 2011.
Feng, T., Li, G., Cao, J., Bei, N., Shen, Z., Zhou, W., Liu, S., Zhang, T., Wang, Y., Huang, R.-J., Tie, X., and Molina, L. T.: Simulations of organic aerosol concentrations during springtime in the Guanzhong Basin, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 10045–10061, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-10045-2016, 2016.
Feng, T., Bei, N., Zhao, S., Wu, J., Li, X., Zhang, T., Cao, J., Zhou, W.,
and Li, G.: Wintertime nitrate formation during haze days in the Guanzhong
basin, China: A case study, Environ. Pollut. B, 243,
1057–1067, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.069, 2018.
Grell, G. A., Peckham, S. E., Schmitz, R., McKeen, S. A., Frost, G.,
Skamarock, W. C., and Eder, B.: Fully coupled “online” chemistry within the
WRF model, Atmos. Environ., 39, 6957–6975,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.04.027, 2005.
Guenther, A., Karl, T., Harley, P., Wiedinmyer, C., Palmer, P. I., and Geron, C.: Estimates of global terrestrial isoprene emissions using MEGAN (Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature), Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 3181–3210, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-3181-2006, 2006.
Hong, C., Zhang, Q., Zhang, Y., Davis, S. J., Tong, D., Zheng, Y., Liu, Z.,
Guan, D., He, K., and Schellnhuber, H. J.: Impacts of climate change on
future air quality and human health in China, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
116, 17193–17200, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1812881116, 2019.
Hong, S.-Y. and Lim, J.-O. J.: The WRF single-moment 6-class microphysics
scheme (WSM6), J. Korean Meteor. Soc., 42, 129–151, 2006.
Hua, M.: Analysis and simulation study on the influence of heat condition
over Qinghai-Xizang Plateau on climate over South-West China, Plateau
Meteorology, 22, 152–156, 2017.
Iversen, T.: On the atmospheric transport of pollution to the Arctic,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 11, 457–460, https://doi.org/10.1029/GL011i005p00457, 1984.
Janjicì, Z. I.: Nonsingular implementation of the Mellor-Yamada level 2.5
scheme in the NCEP meso model, NCEP Office Note no. 437, NOAA Science Center, 2002.
Kuang, X. and Jiao, J. J.: Review on climate change on the Tibetan Plateau during the last half century, J. Geophys. Res., 121, 3979–4007, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JD024728, 2016.
Li, G., Lei, W., Zavala, M., Volkamer, R., Dusanter, S., Stevens, P., and Molina, L. T.: Impacts of HONO sources on the photochemistry in Mexico City during the MCMA-2006/MILAGO Campaign, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 6551–6567, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-6551-2010, 2010.
Li, G., Bei, N., Tie, X., and Molina, L. T.: Aerosol effects on the photochemistry in Mexico City during MCMA-2006/MILAGRO campaign, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5169–5182, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5169-2011, 2011a.
Li, G., Zavala, M., Lei, W., Tsimpidi, A. P., Karydis, V. A., Pandis, S. N., Canagaratna, M. R., and Molina, L. T.: Simulations of organic aerosol concentrations in Mexico City using the WRF-CHEM model during the MCMA-2006/MILAGRO campaign, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 3789–3809, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3789-2011, 2011b.
Li, G., Bei, N., Cao, J., Huang, R., Wu, J., Feng, T., Wang, Y., Liu, S., Zhang, Q., Tie, X., and Molina, L. T.: A possible pathway for rapid growth of sulfate during haze days in China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 3301–3316, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3301-2017, 2017.
Li, M., Zhang, Q., Kurokawa, J.-I., Woo, J.-H., He, K., Lu, Z., Ohara, T., Song, Y., Streets, D. G., Carmichael, G. R., Cheng, Y., Hong, C., Huo, H., Jiang, X., Kang, S., Liu, F., Su, H., and Zheng, B.: MIX: a mosaic Asian anthropogenic emission inventory under the international collaboration framework of the MICS-Asia and HTAP, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 935–963, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-935-2017, 2017.
Liu, X. and Chen, B.: Climatic warming in the Tibetan Plateau during recent
decades, Int. J. Climatol., 20, 1729–1742, 2000.
Liu, X., Cheng, Y., Zhang, Y., Jung, J., Sugimoto, N., Chang, S.-Y., Kim, Y. J., Fan, S., and Zeng, L.: Influences of relative humidity and particle
chemical composition on aerosol scattering properties during the 2006 PRD
campaign, Atmos. Environ., 42, 1525–1536,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.10.077, 2008.
Miao, Y., Guo, J., Liu, S., Liu, H., Li, Z., Zhang, W., and Zhai, P.: Classification of summertime synoptic patterns in Beijing and their associations with boundary layer structure affecting aerosol pollution, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 3097–3110, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3097-2017, 2017.
Qiao, X., Guo, H., Tang, Y., Wang, P., Deng, W., Zhao, X., Hu, J., Ying, Q., and Zhang, H.: Local and regional contributions to fine particulate matter in the 18 cities of Sichuan Basin, southwestern China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 5791–5803, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-5791-2019, 2019.
Rangwala, I., Miller, J. R., and Xu, M.: Warming in the Tibetan Plateau:
Possible influences of the changes in surface water vapor, Geophys. Res.
Lett., 36, 5–6, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL037245, 2009.
Su, T., Li, Z., and Kahn, R.: Relationships between the planetary boundary layer height and surface pollutants derived from lidar observations over China: regional pattern and influencing factors, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 15921–15935, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15921-2018, 2018.
Tao, J., Zhang, L., Cao, J., and Zhang, R.: A review of current knowledge concerning PM2.5 chemical composition, aerosol optical properties and their relationships across China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9485–9518, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9485-2017, 2017.
Tie, X., Madronich, S., Walters, S., Zhang, R., Rasch, P., and Collins, W.:
Effect of clouds on photolysis and oxidants in the troposphere, J. Geophys.
Res., 108, 4642, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD003659, 2003.
Tie, X., Sasha, M., Stacy, W., David, E., Paul, G., Natalie, M., Renyi, Z.,
Lou, C., and Guy, B.: Assessment of the global impact of aerosols on
tropospheric oxidants, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D03204,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005359, 2005.
Tie, X., Madronich, S., Li, G., Ying, Z., Zhang, R., Garcia, A. R.,
Lee-Taylor, J., and Liu, Y.: Characterizations of chemical oxidants in Mexico
City: A regional chemical dynamical model (WRF-Chem) study, Atmos. Environ.,
41, 1989–2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.10.053, 2007.
Tie, X., Madronich, S., Li, G., Ying, Z., Weinheimer, A., Apel, E., and
Campos, T.: Simulation of Mexico City plumes during the MIRAGE-Mex field
campaign using the WRF-Chem model, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 4621–4638,
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-4621-2009, 2009.
Tie, X., Zhang, Q., He, H., Cao, J., Han, S., Gao, Y., Li, X., and Jia, X. C.: A budget analysis of the formation of haze in Beijing, Atmos. Environ.,
100, 25–36, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.10.038, 2015.
Tie, X., Huang, R.-J., Cao, J., Zhang, Q., Cheng, Y., Su, H., Di Chang,
schl, U. P. X., Hoffmann, T., Dusek, U., Li, G., Worsnop, D. R., and Dowd, C. D. O. X.: Severe Pollution in China Amplified by Atmospheric Moisture, Sci.
Rep., 7, 15760, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15909-1, 2017.
Tsangari, H., Paschalidou, A. K., Kassomenos, A. P., Vardoulakis, S.,
Heaviside, C., Georgiou, K. E., and Yamasaki, E. N.: Extreme weather and air
pollution effects on cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions in
Cyprus, Sci. Total Environ., 542, 247–253,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.106, 2016.
Wang, G., Zhang, R., Gomez, M. E., Yang, L., Levy Zamora, M., Hu, M., Lin, Y., Peng, J., Guo, S., Meng, J., Li, J., Cheng, C., Hu, T., Ren, Y., Wang, Y., Gao, J., Cao, J., An, Z., Zhou, W., Li, G., Wang, J., Tian, P.,
Marrero-Ortiz, W., Secrest, J., Du, Z., Zheng, J., Shang, D., Zeng, L.,
Shao, M., Wang, W., Huang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhu, Y., Li, Y., Hu, J., Pan, B.,
Cai, L., Cheng, Y., Ji, Y., Zhang, F., Rosenfeld, D., Liss, P. S., Duce, R. A., Kolb, C. E., and Molina, M. J.: Persistent sulfate formation from London
Fog to Chinese haze, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 113, 13630–13635,
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1616540113, 2016.
Wang, H., Tian, M., Chen, Y., Shi, G., Liu, Y., Yang, F., Zhang, L., Deng, L., Yu, J., Peng, C., and Cao, X.: Seasonal characteristics, formation mechanisms and source origins of PM2.5 in two megacities in Sichuan Basin, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 865–881, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-865-2018, 2018.
Wesely, M. L.: Parameterization of surface resistances to gaseous dry
deposition in regional-scale numerical models, Atmos. Environ., 23, 1293–1304, https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(89)90153-4, 1989.
Xu, J., Chang, L., Yan, F., and He, J.: Role of climate anomalies on decadal
variation in the occurrence of wintertime haze in the Yangtze River Delta,
China, Sci. Total Environ., 599–600, 918–925,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.015, 2017.
Xu, X., Zhao, T., Liu, F., Gong, S. L., Kristovich, D., Lu, C., Guo, Y., Cheng, X., Wang, Y., and Ding, G.: Climate modulation of the Tibetan Plateau on haze in China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 1365–1375, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-1365-2016, 2016.
Yang, F., Tan, J., Zhao, Q., Du, Z., He, K., Ma, Y., Duan, F., Chen, G., and Zhao, Q.: Characteristics of PM2.5 speciation in representative megacities and across China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5207–5219, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5207-2011, 2011.
Zhang, H., Wang, Y., Park, T.-W., and Deng, Y.: Quantifying the relationship
between extreme air pollution events and extreme weather events, Atmos.
Res., 188, 64–79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.11.010, 2016.
Zhang, Q., Streets, D. G., Carmichael, G. R., He, K. B., Huo, H., Kannari, A., Klimont, Z., Park, I. S., Reddy, S., Fu, J. S., Chen, D., Duan, L., Lei, Y., Wang, L. T., and Yao, Z. L.: Asian emissions in 2006 for the NASA INTEX-B mission, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 5131–5153, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-5131-2009, 2009.
Zhao, P., Li, Y., Guo, X., Xu, X., Liu, Y., Tang, S., Xiao, W., Shi, C., Ma, Y., Yu, X., Liu, H., Jia, L., Chen, Y., Liu, Y., Li, J., Luo, D., Cao, Y.,
Zheng, X., Chen, J., Xiao, A., Yuan, F., Chen, D., Pang, Y., Hu, Z., Zhang, S., Dong, L., Hu, J., Han, S., and Zhou, X.: The Tibetan Plateau
Surface-Atmosphere Coupling System and Its Weather and Climate Effects: The
Third Tibetan Plateau Atmospheric Science Experiment, J. Meteorol. Res., 33,
375–399, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-019-8602-3, 2019.
Zhao, S., Tie, X., Cao, J., and Zhang, Q.: Impacts of mountains on black
carbon aerosol under different synoptic meteorology conditions in the
Guanzhong region, China, Atmos. Res., 164–165, 286–296,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2015.05.016, 2015.
Zhao, S., Feng, T., Tie, X., Long, X., Li, G., Cao, J., Zhou, W., and An, Z.:
Impact of Climate Change on Siberian High and Wintertime Air Pollution in
China in Past Two Decades, Earths Future, 6, 118–133,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2017EF000682, 2018.
Zhu, Q., Shou, S., and Tang, D.: Principles and methods of weather, 4th Edn., China Meteorological Press,
Beijing, 2000.
Zou, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., and Koo, J.-H.: Arctic sea ice, Eurasia snow,
and extreme winter haze in China, Sci. Adv., 3, e1602751-9,
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1602751, 2017.
Short summary
The Tibetan Plateau has been experiencing a rapid warming during the last 40 years, particularly in winter. The warming leads to an increase in the planetary boundary layer height and a decrease in the relative humidity in the Sichuan Basin, causing a reduction of PM2.5 concentration by 17.5 % (~25.1 μg m−3), of which the reduction in secondary aerosols is 19.7 μg m−3. These findings indicate that the warming plateau plays an important role in mitigating air quality in downstream.
The Tibetan Plateau has been experiencing a rapid warming during the last 40 years, particularly...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint