Elevated aerosol layers within the daytime mixed layer over ecologically sensitive areas of northwest China: diurnal variation, formation mechanisms and regional effects

Lin, Zikai; Zhou, Tian; Li, Zhengpeng; Gu, Yonghong; Wu, Dongsheng; Zhou, Ping; Zhang, Keyu; Gao, Qili; Li, Xingran; Huang, Zhongwei; Bi, Jianrong; Yang, Lili; Wang, Lina

doi:10.5194/acp-26-11111-2026

Articles | Volume 26, issue 15

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11111-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11111-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 26, issue 15

Research article

|

10 Aug 2026

Research article |

| 10 Aug 2026

Elevated aerosol layers within the daytime mixed layer over ecologically sensitive areas of northwest China: diurnal variation, formation mechanisms and regional effects

Zikai Lin, Tian Zhou, Zhengpeng Li, Yonghong Gu, Dongsheng Wu, Ping Zhou, Keyu Zhang, Qili Gao, Xingran Li, Zhongwei Huang, Jianrong Bi, Lili Yang, and Lina Wang

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11111-2026-supplement

Data sets

ERA5 hourly data on single levels from 1940 to present H. Hersbach et al. https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.adbb2d47

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Short summary

This study examined high-altitude airborne particles over the Hexi Corridor using field observations. Such particles commonly accumulate 0.6–2 km aloft. Dunhuang features natural dust, while Minqin is dominated by human pollutants. Upper-level pollution is five times higher than that on the ground. These trapped particles warm the air and may accelerate glacier melting. This work suggests that high-altitude pollution should not be overlooked to better protect fragile local environments.