Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-673
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-673
09 Sep 2016
 | 09 Sep 2016
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP but the revision was not accepted.

Synoptic perspectives on pollutant transport patterns observed by satellites over East Asia: Case studies with a conceptual model

Hyun Cheol Kim, Soontae Kim, Seok-Woo Son, Pius Lee, Chun-Sil Jin, Eunhye Kim, Byeong-Uk Kim, Fong Ngan, Changhan Bae, Chang-Keun Song, and Ariel Stein

Abstract. We demonstrate that daily pollutant transport patterns in East Asia are visible from satellite images when inspected with corresponding synoptic weather analyses. Transport pathways of air pollutants in East Asia are investigated using satellite observations, surface weather charts, and chemical-transport model simulations. It is found that during cool season (fall to spring), pollutant transports in East Asia are largely determined by synoptic weather patterns associated with high pressure system over southern China, which is extended from the Siberia High, and low pressure system over Manchuria, which is initiated by Altai-Sayan cyclogenesis. Based on the relative location and strength of these weather systems, three types of synoptic weather patterns that may contribute to pollutants transport in East Asia, especially in China and Korea, are identified: i.e., (1) a strengthening of the Siberian High and its southeastward propagation; (2) a high-pressure system over southern China followed by a frontal passage associated with a northern low-pressure system; and (3) a stagnant high-pressure system over southern China. For all three patterns, the high-pressure system in southern China is essential for the development of regional air pollution, while frontal activities associated with low-pressure system provide a forcing mechanism to transport those pollutants eastward or southeastward. Observed and simulated surface PM distributions show good agreement in both aerosol optical depth and NO2 column density further implying that anthropogenic emissions also contribute to regional events of high surface PM concentrations. It is argued that the quasi-periodic migration of synoptic weather systems in East Asia works as an efficient pump of pollutants; i.e., regional air pollutions developed under high-pressure systems are transported downstream by low-pressure systems.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Hyun Cheol Kim, Soontae Kim, Seok-Woo Son, Pius Lee, Chun-Sil Jin, Eunhye Kim, Byeong-Uk Kim, Fong Ngan, Changhan Bae, Chang-Keun Song, and Ariel Stein
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Hyun Cheol Kim, Soontae Kim, Seok-Woo Son, Pius Lee, Chun-Sil Jin, Eunhye Kim, Byeong-Uk Kim, Fong Ngan, Changhan Bae, Chang-Keun Song, and Ariel Stein
Hyun Cheol Kim, Soontae Kim, Seok-Woo Son, Pius Lee, Chun-Sil Jin, Eunhye Kim, Byeong-Uk Kim, Fong Ngan, Changhan Bae, Chang-Keun Song, and Ariel Stein

Viewed

Total article views: 2,683 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
1,424 1,162 97 2,683 151 77 106
  • HTML: 1,424
  • PDF: 1,162
  • XML: 97
  • Total: 2,683
  • Supplement: 151
  • BibTeX: 77
  • EndNote: 106
Views and downloads (calculated since 09 Sep 2016)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 09 Sep 2016)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 2,652 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 2,641 with geography defined and 11 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Latest update: 09 Dec 2024
Download
Short summary
In recent years, frequent occurrence of severe haze events in East Asia is one of the most serious public concerns in this region. We demonstrate that daily pollutant transport patterns in East Asia are visible from satellite images when inspected with corresponding synoptic weather analyses. Our manuscript focuses on the possible role of meteorology, especially by the routine passages of synoptic systems, on the production and removal of regional pollution in East Asia.
Altmetrics