[Formation Mechanism of a Serious Pollution Event in January 2013 in Beijing]

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2015 Apr;36(4):1154-63.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

The weather conditions, atmospheric environmental background and formation mechanism of a heavy air pollution episode in Beijing City from January 9th to 15th, 2013 was preliminarily investigated by combining observed data and the WRF meteorology model. The results showed that the average concentration of PM2.5 was 323 μg x m(-3) from January 10th to 14th; the heavy pollution episode was closely related to the local meteorological conditions; the stable atmospheric circulation pattern provided favorable environmental field for the lasting of this heavy air pollution; small wind speed, high humidity, low PBL, and lasting temperature inversion were the main reasons for this heavy air pollution incident; further analysis showed that contributions of regional transmission to the receptor sites in Beijing were between 53% - 69% and there were obvious secondary conversions and transformations; overall regional transportation played a more important role during this serious air pollution incident; the meteorological conditions played a key role in the formation and destruction of the heavy air pollution, therefore we need to strengthen the study on early warning of heavy air pollution, in order to prevent and control the air heavy pollution effectively.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution / analysis*
  • China
  • Cities
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Humidity
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Temperature
  • Weather
  • Wind