Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aerosol optical properties affected by a strong dust storm over central and northern China

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aerosol observational data at 8 ground-based observation sites in the Chinese Sun Hazemeter Network (CSHNET) were analyzed to characterize the optical properties of aerosol particles during the strong dust storm of 16–21 April 2005. The observational aerosol optical depth (AOD) increased significantly during this dust storm at sites in Beijing city (86%), Beijing forest (84%), Xianghe (13%), Shapotou (27%), Shenyang (47%), Shanghai (23%), and Jiaozhou Bay (24%). The API (air pollution index) in Beijing and Tianjin also had a similar rise during the dust storm, while the Angström exponent (α) declined evidently at sites in Beijing city (21%), Beijing forest (39%), Xianghe (19%), Ordos (77%), Shapotou (50%), Shanghai (12%), and Jiaozhou Bay (21%), respectively. Furthermore, The observational AOD and α demonstrated contrary trends during all storm stages (pre-dust storm, dust storm, and post-dust storm), with the AOD indicating an obvious “Valley-Peak-Valley” pattern of variation, while α demonstrated a “Peak-Valley-Peak” pattern. In addition, the dust module in a regional climate model (RegCM3) simulated the dust storm occurrence and track accurately and RegCM3 was able to basically simulate the trends in AOD. The simulation results for the North China stations were the best, and the simulation for dust-source stations was on the high side, while the simulation was on the low side for coastal sites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acharya, Y. B., 2005: Spectral and emission characteristics of LED and its application to LED-based sunphotometry. Optics and Laser Technology, 37, 547–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, D. R., and F. M. III. Mims, 2001: Development of an inexpensive handheld LED-based Sun photometer for the GLOBE program. J. Geophys. Res., 106, 4733–4740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, G. S., X. D. Liu, and B. D. Chen, 2006: Numerical simulations of spatial and temporal characteristics of airborne dust over Asia during springs of 2000 to 2002. Environmental Science, 27, 1–8. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Draxler, R. R., and G. D. Rolph, 2003: HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) Model. NOAA Air Resources Laboratory, Silver Spring, MD, 242pp. [Available at http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/hysplit4.html]

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, W. P., J. Y. Xin, M. X. Wang, Q. X. Gao, Z. Q. Li, and Y. S. Wang, 2008: Photometric measurements of spring aerosol optical properties in dust and non-dust periods in China. Atmos. Environ., 42, doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.06.043.

  • Elguindi, N., X. Q. Bi, F. Giorgi, B. Nagarajan, J. Pal, F. Solmon, S. Rauscher, and A. Zakey, 2007: RegCM Version 3.1 User’s Guide, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, 58pp.

  • Formenti, P., W. Elbert, W. Maenhaut, J. M. Haywood, and M. O. Andreae, 2003: Chemical composition of mineral dust aerosol during the Saharan Dust Experiment (SHADE) airborne campaign in the Cape Verde region, September 2000. J. Geophys. Res., 108(D18), 8576, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002648.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, X. J., Y. Luo, W. T. Lin, Z. C. Zhao, and F. Giorgi, 2003: Simulation of effect of land use change on climate in China by a regional climate model. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 20(4), 583–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., 1986: A particle dry deposition parameterization scheme for use in tracer transport models. J. Geophys. Res., 91, 9794–9806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., 1989: Two-dimensional simulations of possible mesoscale effects of nuclear war fires. 1: Model description. J. Geophys. Res., 94, 1127–1144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgi, F., and W. L. Chameides, 1986: Rainout lifetimes of highly soluble aerosols and gasses as inferred from simulations with a general circulation model. J. Geophys. Res., 91, 14367–14376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong, S. L., X. Y. Zhang, and T. L. Zhao, 2003: Characterization of soil dust aerosols in China and its transport and distribution during 2001 ACE-Asia: 2. Model simulation and validation. J. Geophys. Res., 108(D9), 4262, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002633.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grell, G., 1993: Prognostic evaluation of assumptions used by cumulus Parameterizations. Mon. Wea. Rev., 121, 764–787.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, Z., H. Ueda, K. Matsuda, R. Zhang, K. Arao, Y. Kanai, and H. Hasome, 2004: Model study on particle size segregation and deposition during Asian dust events in March 2002. J. Geophys. Res., 109, D19205, doi: 10.1029/2004JD004920.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao, W. M., D. E. Ward, R. A. Susott, R. E. Babbitt, B. L. Nordgren, Y. J. Kaufman, B. N. Holben, and D. M. Giles, 2005: Comparison of aerosol optical thickness measurements by MODIS, AERONET sun photometers, and Forest Service handheld sun photometers in southern Africa during the SAFARI 2000 campaign. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 26, 4169–4183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haywood, J., and Coauthors, 2003: Radiative properties and direct radiative effect of Saharan dust measured by the C-130 aircraft during SHADE: 1. Solar spectrum. J. Geophys. Res., 108(D18), 8577, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002687.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holben, B. N., and Coauthors, 2001: An emerging ground-based aerosol climatology: Aerosol Optical Depth from AERONET. J. Geophys. Res., 106, 12067–12097.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtslag, A., B. De, and H. L. Pal, 1990: A high resolution airmass transformation model for short-range weather forecasting. Mon. Wea. Rev., 118, 1561–1575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D. H., B. J. Sohn, T. Nakajima, T. Takamura, B. C. Choi, and S. C. Yoon, 2004: Aerosol optical properties over East Asia determined from ground-based sky radiation measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 109, D02209, doi: 10.1029/2003JD003387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., and Coauthors, 2006: Chemical apportionment of shortwave direct aerosol radiative forcing at the Gosan super-site, Korea during ACE-Asia. Atmos. Environ., 40, 6718–6729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolev, N., I. Grigorov, I. Kolev, P. C. S. Devara, P. E. Raj, and K. K. Dani, 2007: Lidar and Sun photometer observations of atmospheric boundary-layer characteristics over an urban area in mountain valley. Bound. Layer Meteor., 124, 99–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., X. Q. Hu, C. X. Cui, and J. Li, 2005: Research on dust aerosol optical properties in South Tarim basin and classification of different dusty weather in China. Journal of Desert Research, 25, 488–495. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J. J., Y. F. Zheng, Z. Q. Li, and R. J. Wu, 2008: Ground-based remote sensing of aerosol optical properties in one city in Northwest China. Atmospheric Research, 89, doi: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2008.01.010.

  • Mao, J. T., J. H. Zhang, and M. H. Wang, 2002: Summary comment on research of atmospheric aerosol in China. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 60, 625–634. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, J. H, F. Giorgi, and M. S. Fox-Rabinovitz, 1999: Regional stretched grid generation and its application to the NCAR RegCM. J. Geophys. Res., 104(D6), 6501–6513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, J. H, H. B. Chen, P. C. Wang, Y. Liu, and X. A. Xia, 2007: Recent progress in atmospheric observation research in China. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 24, 940–953, doi: 10.1007/s00376-007-0940-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogunjobi, K. O., Z. He, and C. Simmer, 2007: Spectral aerosol optical properties from AERONET Sunphotometric measurements over West Africa. Atmospheric Research, 88, 89–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rolph, G. D., 2003: Real-time Environmental Applications and Display sYstem (READY). NOAA Air Resources Laboratory, Silver Spring, MD, 25pp. [Available at http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/hysplit4.html].

    Google Scholar 

  • Seinfeld, J. H., G. R. Carmichael, and R. Arimoto, 2004: ACE-ASIA: regional climatic and atmospheric chemical effects of Asian dust and pollution. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 85, 367–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao, L. Y., W. J. Li, S. S. Yang, Z. B. Shi, and S. L. Lü, 2007: Mineralogical characteristics of airborne particles collected in Beijing during a severe Asian dust storm period in spring 2002. Science in China (D), 50, 953–959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, W. L., and H. J. Wang, 2003: The regional climate effects of replacing farmland and re-greening the desertification lands with forest or grass in west China. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 20, 45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solmon, F., F. Giorgi, and C. Liousse, 2006: Aerosol modeling for regional climate studies: Application to anthropogenic particles and evaluation over a European/African domain. Tellus, 58B, 51–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, L. C., Y. X. Han, Q. Zhang, X. X. Xi, and Y. H. Ye, 2004: Monthly temporal-spatial distribution of sandstorms in China as well as the origin if Kosa in Japan and Korea. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 28, 820–828. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tegen, I., and I. Fung, 1994: Modeling of mineral dust in the Atmosphere: Sources transport and optical thickness. J. Geophys. Res., 99, 22897–22914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian, H., J. Z. Ma, W. L. Li, and H. L. Liu, 2005: Simulation of forcing of sulfate aerosol on direct radiation and its climate effect over middle and eastern China. Journal of Applied Meteorological Science, 16, 322–333. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H., G. Y. Shi, B. Wang, W. Li, S. Y. Li, S. L. Gong, and T. L. Zhao, 2007a: The impact of dust aerosol from deserts of China on the radiative heating rate over sources and the North Pacific region. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 31, 515–526. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., G. S. Zhuang, A. H. Tang, W. J. Zhang, Y. L. Sun, Z. F. Wang, and Z. S. An, 2007b: The evolution of chemical components of aerosols at five monitoring sites of China during dust storms. Atmos. Environ., 41, 1091–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., and Coauthors, 2008: Seasonal variations in aerosol optical properties over China. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 8, 8431–8453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Won, J. G., S. C. Yoon, S. W. Kim, A. Jefferson, E. G. Dutton, and B. N. Holben, 2004: Estimation of direct radiative forcing of Asian dust aerosols with Sun/sky radiometer and lidar measurements at Gosan, Korea. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 82, 115–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J., Y. Xu, C. Fu, R. Zhang, M. Dai, and Y. Zhu, 2006: Comparison of simulating mineral dust aerosol in East Asia by two emission schemes. China Particuology, 4(6), 293–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xin, J. Y., and Coauthors, 2007: Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent of aerosols observed by the Chinese Sun Hazemeter Network from August 2004 to September 2005. J. Geophys. Res., 112, doi: 10.1029/2006JD007075.

  • Xin, J. Y., Y. S. Wang, Z. Q. Li, P. C. Wang, S. G. Wang, T. X. Wen, and Y. Sun, 2006: Introduction and calibration of the Chinese Sun Hazemeter Network. Environmental science, 27, 1697–1702. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xuan, J., G. L. Liu, and K. Du, 2000: Dust emission inventory in Northern China. Atmos. Environ., 34, 4565–4570.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zakey, A. S., F. Solmon, and F. Giorgi, 2006: Development and testing of a desert dust module in a regional climate model. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 6, 1749–1792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zender, C. S., H. Bian, and D. Newman, 2003: Mineral dust entrainment and deposition (DEAD) model: Description and 1990s dust climatology. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 4416, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X., M. Zhao, and R. E. Dickinson, 1998: Intercom-Parison of bulk aerodynamic algoriths for the computation of sea surface fluxes using TOGA COARE and TAO data. J. Climate, 11, 2628–2644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, L., S. Gong, J. Padro, and L. Barrie, 2001: A size-segregated particle dry deposition scheme for an atmospheric aerosol module. Atmos. Environ., 35, 549–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, R. J., M. X. Wang, L. F. Sheng, Y. Kanai, and A. Ohta, 2004: Seasonal Characterization of dust days, mass concentration and dry deposition of atmospheric aerosol over Qingdao, China. China Particuology, 2(5), 196–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. Y., 2001: Source distributions, emission, transportation, deposition of Asia dust and loess accumulation. Quaternary Science, 21, 29–40. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. Y., G. Y. Zhang, G. H. Zhu, D. E. Zhang, Z. S. An, T. Chen, and X. P. Huang, 1996: Elemental tracers for Chinese source dust. Science in China (D), 26, 512–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. Y., R. Arimoto, and Z. S. An, 1997: Dust emission from Chinese desert sources linked to variations in atmospheric circulation. J. Geophys. Res., 102(D23), 28041–28047.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X. J., X. D. Xu, P. Yan, Y. H. Weng, and J. L. Wang, 2002: Dynamic characteristics of spring sandstorms in 2000. Science in China (Series D), 45, 921–930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. Y., S. L. Gong, T. L. Zhao, R. Arimoto, Y. Q. Wang, and Z. J. Zhou, 2003a: Sources of Asian dust and role of climate change versus desertification in Asian dust emission. J. Geophys. Res., 30(24), 2272, doi: 10.1029/2003GL018206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. Y., and Coauthors, 2003b: Characterization of soil dust aerosol in China and its transport/distribution during 2001 ACE-Asia: 1. Network observations. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 4261, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Jinyuan Xin  (辛金元), Wupeng Du  (杜吴鹏), Yuesi Wang  (王跃思) & Mingxing Wang  (王明星)

  2. Beijing Climate Center, Beijing Meteorological Bureau, Beijing, 100089, China

    Wupeng Du  (杜吴鹏)

  3. Chinese Research Academy of Environment Science, Beijing, 100012, China

    Qingxian Gao  (高庆先)

  4. Department of Meteorology, the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20782, USA

    Zhanqing Li

Authors
  1. Jinyuan Xin  (辛金元)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wupeng Du  (杜吴鹏)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yuesi Wang  (王跃思)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qingxian Gao  (高庆先)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhanqing Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mingxing Wang  (王明星)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wupeng Du  (杜吴鹏).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xin, J., Du, W., Wang, Y. et al. Aerosol optical properties affected by a strong dust storm over central and northern China. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 27, 562–574 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-009-9023-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-009-9023-5

Key words

Search

Navigation