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Effects of Synoptic Weather Systems Upon the Air Quality in an Asian Megacity

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Abstract

The Hong Kong Environmental ProtectionDepartment (HK EPD) monitoring data for SO2, NO, NO2and O3 from 1995 and 1996 at three stations spanning thelength of Hong Kong have been analyzed in the contexts ofselected meteorological parameters, and the types of synopticweather system. High level and episode days were definedaccording to two criteria. Higher pollutant gas concentrationswere found for systems involving the transport of continentalair masses to Hong Kong (cold front (type CF), north/northeastmonsoon (type NE)), or when tropical cyclones approached (typeAC) Hong Kong. Lower concentrations were observed when thecleaner maritime southerly (type S) airstreams were incidentat Hong Kong. Most notably, tropical cyclones (type C)ventilated and diluted local pollution. Days with high levelsof SO2, NO and NO2 were generally characterized bylow windspeed and lower relative humidity conditions. Bycontrast, high concentrations of O3 occurred both underlow windspeed conditions (type AC) and under the advection ofa continental air mass, generally at high windspeeds. Thediurnal variation of O3 levels is discussed: destructionis more important than production in determining local levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, Peoples' Republic of China

    Peter A. Tanner & Po-Tak Law

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  1. Peter A. Tanner
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  2. Po-Tak Law
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Correspondence to Peter A. Tanner.

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Tanner, P.A., Law, PT. Effects of Synoptic Weather Systems Upon the Air Quality in an Asian Megacity. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 136, 105–124 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015275404592

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