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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-880
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-880
20 Mar 2025
 | 20 Mar 2025

Evolution of aerosol optical depth over China in 2010–2024: increasing importance of meteorological influences

Cheng Fan, Gerrit de Leeuw, Xiaoxi Yan, Jiantao Dong, Hanqing Kang, Chengwei Fang, Zhengqiang Li, and Ying Zhang

Abstract. Time series of MODIS/MAIAC C6.1 aerosol optical depth (AOD) and model-simulated AOD over China were used to determine contributions of meteorological and anthropogenic effects on aerosol variations on monthly and interannual scales. The study covered the period January 2010–September 2024 with the main focus on five representative areas: NCP, YRD, PRD, HNB and SCB. The time series confirm that emission reduction policy has resulted in the effective reduction of the AOD over China. The large increase of the AOD over the YRD during 2018–2021 shows that meteorological effects have increasingly larger influences on the aerosol load as AOD decreases. During this period, the potential decrease of the AOD over the NCP was effectively cancelled by unfavorable meteorological effects. Meteorological effects, and their variations, are different over each region. For instance, over the NCP, meteorological effects were mostly unfavorable while in contrast, over the PRD, meteorological effects were initially unfavorable but had a strong effect after 2016 when they reinforced anthropogenic effects, resulting in a substantial reduction of the AOD. In addition, the data show a strong AOD minimum in 2022, attributed to favorable anthropogenic effects, over some areas reinforced by favorable meteorological effects. Monthly mean AOD patterns were distinctly different before and after 2016, suggesting that aerosol properties changed in response to emission reduction policy. In summary, this study highlights the complex interplay between meteorological and anthropogenic factors in shaping AOD variations across China and demonstrates the increasing significance of meteorological conditions in modulating China’s AOD.

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 paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Oct 2025
Evolution of aerosol optical depth over China in 2010–2024: increasing importance of meteorological influences
Cheng Fan, Gerrit de Leeuw, Xiaoxi Yan, Jiantao Dong, Hanqing Kang, Chengwei Fang, Zhengqiang Li, and Ying Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11951–11973, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11951-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11951-2025, 2025
Short summary
Cheng Fan, Gerrit de Leeuw, Xiaoxi Yan, Jiantao Dong, Hanqing Kang, Chengwei Fang, Zhengqiang Li, and Ying Zhang

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-880', Anonymous Referee #3, 27 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Xiaoxi Yan, 18 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-880', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Apr 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Xiaoxi Yan, 18 Jun 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-880', Anonymous Referee #4, 20 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC3', Xiaoxi Yan, 18 Jun 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-880', Anonymous Referee #3, 27 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Xiaoxi Yan, 18 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-880', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Apr 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Xiaoxi Yan, 18 Jun 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-880', Anonymous Referee #4, 20 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC3', Xiaoxi Yan, 18 Jun 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Xiaoxi Yan on behalf of the Authors (20 Jun 2025)  Author's response 
EF by Katja Gänger (24 Jun 2025)  Manuscript 
EF by Katja Gänger (24 Jun 2025)  Author's tracked changes 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (25 Jun 2025) by Stelios Kazadzis
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (07 Jul 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (09 Jul 2025) by Stelios Kazadzis
AR by Xiaoxi Yan on behalf of the Authors (14 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (17 Jul 2025) by Stelios Kazadzis
AR by Xiaoxi Yan on behalf of the Authors (17 Jul 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Oct 2025
Evolution of aerosol optical depth over China in 2010–2024: increasing importance of meteorological influences
Cheng Fan, Gerrit de Leeuw, Xiaoxi Yan, Jiantao Dong, Hanqing Kang, Chengwei Fang, Zhengqiang Li, and Ying Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11951–11973, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11951-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11951-2025, 2025
Short summary
Cheng Fan, Gerrit de Leeuw, Xiaoxi Yan, Jiantao Dong, Hanqing Kang, Chengwei Fang, Zhengqiang Li, and Ying Zhang
Cheng Fan, Gerrit de Leeuw, Xiaoxi Yan, Jiantao Dong, Hanqing Kang, Chengwei Fang, Zhengqiang Li, and Ying Zhang

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Short summary
This study describes the analysis of time series of the MODIS-derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) over China between 2010 and 2024. Emission reduction policy has been effective in reducing the AOD until 2018. Thereafter the overall reduction until the end of the study was very small due to unfavorable meteorological factors cancelling favorable anthropogenic effects which resulted in AOD increase during extended periods. The variations over different areas in China are discussed.
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