Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios

<p>Air pollution is a major issue in China and one of the largest threats to public health. We investigated future changes in atmospheric circulation patterns associated with haze events in the Beijing region and the severity of haze events during these circulation conditions from 2015 to 2049...

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Main Authors: L. Zhang, L. J. Wilcox, N. J. Dunstone, D. J. Paynter, S. Hu, M. Bollasina, D. Li, J. K. P. Shonk, L. Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2021-05-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/7499/2021/acp-21-7499-2021.pdf
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author L. Zhang
L. Zhang
L. J. Wilcox
N. J. Dunstone
D. J. Paynter
S. Hu
S. Hu
M. Bollasina
D. Li
J. K. P. Shonk
J. K. P. Shonk
L. Zou
author_facet L. Zhang
L. Zhang
L. J. Wilcox
N. J. Dunstone
D. J. Paynter
S. Hu
S. Hu
M. Bollasina
D. Li
J. K. P. Shonk
J. K. P. Shonk
L. Zou
author_sort L. Zhang
collection DOAJ
description <p>Air pollution is a major issue in China and one of the largest threats to public health. We investigated future changes in atmospheric circulation patterns associated with haze events in the Beijing region and the severity of haze events during these circulation conditions from 2015 to 2049 under two different aerosol scenarios: a maximum technically feasible aerosol reduction (MTFR) and a current legislation aerosol scenario (CLE). In both cases greenhouse gas emissions follow the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5). Under RCP4.5 with CLE aerosol the frequency of circulation patterns associated with haze events increases due to a weakening of the East Asian winter monsoon via increased sea level pressure over the North Pacific. The rapid reduction in anthropogenic aerosol and precursor emissions in MTFR further increases the frequency of circulation patterns associated with haze events, due to further increases in the sea level pressure over the North Pacific and a reduction in the intensity of the Siberian high. Even with the aggressive aerosol reductions in MTFR periods of poor visibility, represented by above-normal aerosol optical depth (AOD), still occur in conjunction with haze-favorable atmospheric circulation. However, the winter mean intensity of poor visibility decreases in MTFR, so that haze events are less dangerous in this scenario by 2050 compared to CLE and relative to the current baseline. This study reveals the competing effects of aerosol emission reductions on future haze events through their direct contribution to pollutant source and their influence on the atmospheric circulation. A compound consideration of these two impacts should be taken in future policy making.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-4bb2beecb54d456e9ed6f4f74c3300852022-12-21T18:51:15ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242021-05-01217499751410.5194/acp-21-7499-2021Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenariosL. Zhang0L. Zhang1L. J. Wilcox2N. J. Dunstone3D. J. Paynter4S. Hu5S. Hu6M. Bollasina7D. Li8J. K. P. Shonk9J. K. P. Shonk10L. Zou11LASG, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, ChinaDepartment of Meteorology, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Reading, Reading, UKMet Office Hadley Centre, FitzRoy Road, Exeter EX1 3PB, UKNOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey, USALASG, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaSchool of Geosciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UKKey Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Meteorology, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Reading, Reading, UKnow at: MetOffice@Reading, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Reading, UKLASG, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China<p>Air pollution is a major issue in China and one of the largest threats to public health. We investigated future changes in atmospheric circulation patterns associated with haze events in the Beijing region and the severity of haze events during these circulation conditions from 2015 to 2049 under two different aerosol scenarios: a maximum technically feasible aerosol reduction (MTFR) and a current legislation aerosol scenario (CLE). In both cases greenhouse gas emissions follow the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5). Under RCP4.5 with CLE aerosol the frequency of circulation patterns associated with haze events increases due to a weakening of the East Asian winter monsoon via increased sea level pressure over the North Pacific. The rapid reduction in anthropogenic aerosol and precursor emissions in MTFR further increases the frequency of circulation patterns associated with haze events, due to further increases in the sea level pressure over the North Pacific and a reduction in the intensity of the Siberian high. Even with the aggressive aerosol reductions in MTFR periods of poor visibility, represented by above-normal aerosol optical depth (AOD), still occur in conjunction with haze-favorable atmospheric circulation. However, the winter mean intensity of poor visibility decreases in MTFR, so that haze events are less dangerous in this scenario by 2050 compared to CLE and relative to the current baseline. This study reveals the competing effects of aerosol emission reductions on future haze events through their direct contribution to pollutant source and their influence on the atmospheric circulation. A compound consideration of these two impacts should be taken in future policy making.</p>https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/7499/2021/acp-21-7499-2021.pdf
spellingShingle L. Zhang
L. Zhang
L. J. Wilcox
N. J. Dunstone
D. J. Paynter
S. Hu
S. Hu
M. Bollasina
D. Li
J. K. P. Shonk
J. K. P. Shonk
L. Zou
Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
title_full Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
title_fullStr Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
title_full_unstemmed Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
title_short Future changes in Beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
title_sort future changes in beijing haze events under different anthropogenic aerosol emission scenarios
url https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/7499/2021/acp-21-7499-2021.pdf
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