Impact of Anthropogenic Aerosol Transport on Cloud Condensation Nuclei Activity During Summertime in Qilian Mountain, in the Northern Tibetan Plateau
[1];
[2];
[4]
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China); Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou (China)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Atmospheric Science and Global Change Division (ASGC)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou (China)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)
Here in this study, we conducted field campaigns at two mountain-top observatories on the Qilian Mountains (QLM) in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau of China, which plays a vital role in sustaining water resources for the downstream arid and semi-arid regions. The two observatories, Waliguan Baseline Observatory (WLG) and Laohugou station (LHG), are situated on the eastern and western edge of the QLM, respectively. The objectives of this study were to examine the properties of atmospheric aerosols, CCN concentrations (NCCN) at varying supersaturation levels (SS = 0.2%–1.0%), and the hygroscopic nature of aerosols in the QLM, especially during the formation of orographic cloud. Notably, the average aerosol concentration and NCCN was approximately 2–3 factors higher at WLG compared to LHG. The chemical compositions of aerosols were primarily dominated by sulfate and organic aerosol (OA) at these two sites. A very high hygroscopicity parameter of aerosol calculated using chemical composition was observed at these two sites (0.37 ± 0.03 at LHG vs. 0.30 ± 0.04 at WLG). Enhanced aerosol loading episodes impacted by anthropogenic emission were observed at these two sites. Exploration on high-loading cases at each site, we found that the CCN activity was dominated by aerosol size, but the chemical processes of aerosol during the formation of orographic cloud could also be important in CCN activity, especially for low SS conditions. These findings collectively underscore the significant impact of anthropogenic air plumes on CCN concentrations in the QLM and their potential influence on precipitation patterns.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; National Natural Science Foundation of China; National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 2346002
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA--193123
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 129; ISSN 2169-897X
- Publisher:
- American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Long-range transported continental aerosol in the eastern North Atlantic: three multiday event regimes influence cloud condensation nuclei
Overview of the Manitou Experimental Forest Observatory: site description and selected science results from 2008 to 2013