Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1806
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1806
19 Sep 2023
 | 19 Sep 2023

Impacts of synoptic forcing and cloud inhibition on aerosol radiative effect and boundary layer structure during winter pollution in Sichuan Basin, China

Hua Lu, Min Xie, Tijian Wang, Bojun Liu, Yangzhihao Zhan, Bingliang Zhuang, Shu Li, Mengmeng Li, and Kuanguang Zhu

Abstract. Winter persistent aerosol pollution frequently occurs in the Sichuan Basin (SCB) due to its unfavorable weather conditions, such as low wind, wetness, and cloudiness. Based on long–term observational data analyses from 2015–2021, it was found that the four representative stations in the SCB often simultaneously experienced PM2.5 pollution accompanied by variations in meteorological conditions above 850 hPa, which indicates a connection between regional winter air pollution in the SCB and large–scale synoptic patterns. The dominant 850 hPa synoptic patterns of winter SCB were classified into six patterns using T–model principal component analysis. Pattern 2, characterized by an east high west low (EHWL) pressure system, and Pattern 5, featuring a low trough (LT), were identified as key synoptic patterns for the beginning and accumulation of pollution processes. Pattern 1, characterized by a strong high pressure in the north, was the cleanest pattern associated with reduced PM2.5 concentrations. The EHWL and LT patterns were associated with a remarkably high cloud liquid content, which was attributed to upper southerly winds that introduced humid air and converted aerosols into fog/cloud drops. Clouds reduce solar radiation through reflection and scattering, resulting in more stable stratification and aerosol accumulation. This cloud radiation interaction (CRI) is more pronounced in the LT pattern due to denser isobaric lines and stronger southerly winds than in the EHWL pattern. Numerical simulation experiments using WRF-Chem showed afternoon upper–level heating and morning surface cooling forced by the aerosol radiation interaction (ARI) and evening strong surface cooling influenced by valley winds in the SCB. With wet and cloudy synoptic forcing, CRI directly affects the stability of the boundary layer and is modulated through ARI inhibition. For example, Chongqing showed lower PM2.5 concentrations and stronger ARI than the western and southern SCB due to thinner cloud liquid content and weaker CRI inhibition on ARI. The CRI inhibition caused a 50 % reduction in solar radiation and boundary layer height during the daytime under the LT pattern, which was larger than that under the EHWL pattern. This study comprehensively analyzed the cloud inhibition on ARIs and their impacts on the boundary layer structure under typical synoptic forcing during pollution processes, emphasizing the significant role of CRI inhibition in wet and cloudy regions.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

16 Aug 2024
Impacts of atmospheric circulation patterns and cloud inhibition on aerosol radiative effect and boundary layer structure during winter air pollution in Sichuan Basin, China
Hua Lu, Min Xie, Bingliang Zhuang, Danyang Ma, Bojun Liu, Yangzhihao Zhan, Tijian Wang, Shu Li, Mengmeng Li, and Kuanguang Zhu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8963–8982, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8963-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8963-2024, 2024
Short summary
Hua Lu, Min Xie, Tijian Wang, Bojun Liu, Yangzhihao Zhan, Bingliang Zhuang, Shu Li, Mengmeng Li, and Kuanguang Zhu

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1806', Anonymous Referee #2, 11 Jan 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Min Xie, 20 Mar 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1806', Anonymous Referee #3, 15 Feb 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Min Xie, 20 Mar 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1806', Anonymous Referee #2, 11 Jan 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Min Xie, 20 Mar 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1806', Anonymous Referee #3, 15 Feb 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Min Xie, 20 Mar 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Min Xie on behalf of the Authors (20 Mar 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (01 Apr 2024) by Zhanqing Li
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (17 Apr 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #4 (14 May 2024)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (26 May 2024) by Zhanqing Li
AR by Min Xie on behalf of the Authors (29 May 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (01 Jul 2024) by Zhanqing Li
AR by Min Xie on behalf of the Authors (01 Jul 2024)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

16 Aug 2024
Impacts of atmospheric circulation patterns and cloud inhibition on aerosol radiative effect and boundary layer structure during winter air pollution in Sichuan Basin, China
Hua Lu, Min Xie, Bingliang Zhuang, Danyang Ma, Bojun Liu, Yangzhihao Zhan, Tijian Wang, Shu Li, Mengmeng Li, and Kuanguang Zhu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8963–8982, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8963-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8963-2024, 2024
Short summary
Hua Lu, Min Xie, Tijian Wang, Bojun Liu, Yangzhihao Zhan, Bingliang Zhuang, Shu Li, Mengmeng Li, and Kuanguang Zhu
Hua Lu, Min Xie, Tijian Wang, Bojun Liu, Yangzhihao Zhan, Bingliang Zhuang, Shu Li, Mengmeng Li, and Kuanguang Zhu

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Short summary
To Identify interactions of cloud, aerosol and boundary layer(PBL) from air quality perspective, this study summarized two pollution patterns, characterized with denser liquid cloud and obvious cloud radiation interaction(CRI). Numerical simulation experiments showed CRI could cause a 50 % reduction in aerosol radiation interaction(ARI) under low trough system. The results emphasized the non-negligible role of CRI and its inhibition on ARI under wet and cloudy pollution synoptic patterns.