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.
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.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
10 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 10 Aug 2026
| 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
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Tian Zhou
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Zhengpeng Li
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Yonghong Gu
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Dongsheng Wu
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Ping Zhou
School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519082, China
Keyu Zhang
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Qili Gao
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Xingran Li
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Zhongwei Huang
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
Jianrong Bi
Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
Lili Yang
Gansu Province Environmental Monitoring Center, Lanzhou 730000, China
Lina Wang
Gansu Province Environmental Monitoring Center, Lanzhou 730000, China
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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.
This study examined high-altitude airborne particles over the Hexi Corridor using field...
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