TY - JOUR
T1 - Integrated studies of a photochemical smog episode in Hong Kong and regional transport in the Pearl River Delta of China
AU - Wang, T. J.
AU - Lam, Ka Se
AU - Xie, M.
AU - Wang, X. M.
AU - Carmichael, G.
AU - Li, Yok Sheung
PY - 2006/2/1
Y1 - 2006/2/1
N2 - Air pollution in Hong Kong has close relations to synoptic systems, especially continental high pressure in cold season and tropical storms in the warm season. Here, a case study was performed of the characteristics of a photochemical pollution episode during March 27-31, 2000, in which the maximum concentrations of ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), respirable suspended particulates (RSP) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) reached 265 μgm-3, 2166 μgm-3(roadside), 5405 μgm-3, 349.3 μgm-3and 221 μgm-3, respectively. The O3/CO and O3/NOxratios were found to be 0.1 and 6.29, respectively, at rural site without significant correlation. At an urban site, moderate negative correlation was observed for O3, CO, NOx, where the ratios of O3/CO and O3/NOxwere relatively lower (0.03 and 0.21, respectively). The episode lasted 2 d in the Hong Kong territory and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. Synchronous meteorological and air monitoring data were adopted for analysis with focus on concentration variability, weather pattern, mechanisms of local photochemical production and regional transport. Our results indicate that clear skies with high temperature and low humidity caused by the strong high-pressure system over South China as well as local emissions were attributable to the high O3level observed. In addition, backward trajectories and the O3/NOx, O3/CO ratios provided evidence that regional transport did play an important role in the formation of the episode. The MM5/STEM-2K1 and TAPM model systems were used to simulate the regional and urban O3pattern in PRD and Hong Kong. The modeling surface concentrations of O3 were compared with the measurement from Hong Kong air quality monitoring network, which showed that the ground O3level was underestimated 10-20% due to the uncertainty in emission data, simple chemical mechanism as well as MM5 meteorological prediction. Sensitivity study revealed the strong cross-border transport over PRD region, which accounted for 50-90% of the observed O3level at nighttime and 40-70% at daytime in Hong Kong territory depending on site locations.
AB - Air pollution in Hong Kong has close relations to synoptic systems, especially continental high pressure in cold season and tropical storms in the warm season. Here, a case study was performed of the characteristics of a photochemical pollution episode during March 27-31, 2000, in which the maximum concentrations of ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), respirable suspended particulates (RSP) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) reached 265 μgm-3, 2166 μgm-3(roadside), 5405 μgm-3, 349.3 μgm-3and 221 μgm-3, respectively. The O3/CO and O3/NOxratios were found to be 0.1 and 6.29, respectively, at rural site without significant correlation. At an urban site, moderate negative correlation was observed for O3, CO, NOx, where the ratios of O3/CO and O3/NOxwere relatively lower (0.03 and 0.21, respectively). The episode lasted 2 d in the Hong Kong territory and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. Synchronous meteorological and air monitoring data were adopted for analysis with focus on concentration variability, weather pattern, mechanisms of local photochemical production and regional transport. Our results indicate that clear skies with high temperature and low humidity caused by the strong high-pressure system over South China as well as local emissions were attributable to the high O3level observed. In addition, backward trajectories and the O3/NOx, O3/CO ratios provided evidence that regional transport did play an important role in the formation of the episode. The MM5/STEM-2K1 and TAPM model systems were used to simulate the regional and urban O3pattern in PRD and Hong Kong. The modeling surface concentrations of O3 were compared with the measurement from Hong Kong air quality monitoring network, which showed that the ground O3level was underestimated 10-20% due to the uncertainty in emission data, simple chemical mechanism as well as MM5 meteorological prediction. Sensitivity study revealed the strong cross-border transport over PRD region, which accounted for 50-90% of the observed O3level at nighttime and 40-70% at daytime in Hong Kong territory depending on site locations.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33644817676&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2005.00172.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2005.00172.x
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0280-6509
VL - 58
SP - 31
EP - 40
JO - Tellus, Series B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology
JF - Tellus, Series B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology
IS - 1
ER -
