Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2704
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2704
06 Sep 2024
 | 06 Sep 2024

Impacts of meteorology and emission reductions on haze pollution during the lockdown in the North China Plain: Insights from six-year simulations

Lang Liu, Xin Long, Yi Li, Zengliang Zang, Yan Han, Zhier Bao, Yang Chen, Tian Feng, and Jinxin Yang

Abstract. Haze events across the North China Plain (NCP) during the COVID-19 lockdown have highlighted the complexities of air quality management in the face of reduced human activity. While previous studies have focused primarily on the atmospheric chemistry processes under anomalous weather conditions, interactions between air pollutants, atmospheric chemistry, and their responses to emissions and meteorological factors remain underexplored. Here, we utilized the WRF-Chem model to assess the impact of abrupt emission reductions and meteorological conditions on PM2.5 levels across the NCP. By comparing simulations sensitive to meteorological conditions with climatology averaged over 2015–2019 and considering the sudden decrease in anthropogenic emissions due to the lockdown, we identified significant regional disparities. In the Northern NCP (NNCP), adverse meteorological conditions negated the benefits of emission reductions, leading to a net increase in PM2.5 levels by 30 to 60 μg m-3 during haze episodes. Conversely, the Southern NCP (SNCP) experienced a decrease in PM2.5 levels attributed to favourable meteorological conditions combined with emission reductions, with decreases ranging from 20 to 40 μg m-3 during the same periods. Our results highlight the critical role of meteorological conditions in modulating the effects of emission reductions, particularly in regions like the NNCP, where adverse weather can significantly counteract the benefits of reduced emissions. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between emissions, meteorology, and air quality, underscoring the necessity of integrated approaches that address emissions and atmospheric dynamics.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Feb 2025
Impacts of meteorology and emission reductions on haze pollution during the lockdown in the North China Plain
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
Lang Liu, Xin Long, Yi Li, Zengliang Zang, Yan Han, Zhier Bao, Yang Chen, Tian Feng, and Jinxin Yang

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2704', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2704', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Sep 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2704', Anonymous Referee #3, 05 Oct 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2704', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2704', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Sep 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2704', Anonymous Referee #3, 05 Oct 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Lang Liu on behalf of the Authors (01 Nov 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (04 Nov 2024) by Yuan Wang
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (05 Nov 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (06 Nov 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (18 Nov 2024)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (02 Dec 2024) by Yuan Wang
AR by Lang Liu on behalf of the Authors (03 Dec 2024)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Feb 2025
Impacts of meteorology and emission reductions on haze pollution during the lockdown in the North China Plain
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
Lang Liu, Xin Long, Yi Li, Zengliang Zang, Yan Han, Zhier Bao, Yang Chen, Tian Feng, and Jinxin Yang
Lang Liu, Xin Long, Yi Li, Zengliang Zang, Yan Han, Zhier Bao, Yang Chen, Tian Feng, and Jinxin Yang

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Short summary
This study use the WRF-Chem model to assess how meteorological conditions and unexpected emission reductions affected 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 with PM2.5 decrease due to favorable weather and emission reductions. The research highlighted the interaction between emissions, meteorology and air quality.