SO2 over central China: Measurements, numerical simulations and the tropospheric sulfur budget

He, Hao; Li, Can; Loughner, CP; Li, Z; Krotkov, NA; Yang, Kai; Wang, Lei; Zheng, Y; Bao, X; Zhao, G; Dickerson, RR

HERO ID

1719996

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

HERO ID 1719996
In Press No
Year 2012
Title SO2 over central China: Measurements, numerical simulations and the tropospheric sulfur budget
Authors He, Hao; Li, Can; Loughner, CP; Li, Z; Krotkov, NA; Yang, Kai; Wang, Lei; Zheng, Y; Bao, X; Zhao, G; Dickerson, RR
Journal Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Volume 117
Page Numbers n/a-n/a
Abstract SO2 in central China was measured in situ from an aircraft and remotely using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) from the Aura satellite; results were used to develop a numerical tool for evaluating the tropospheric sulfur budget - sources, sinks, transformation and transport. In April 2008, measured ambient SO2 concentrations decreased from similar to 7 ppbv near the surface to similar to 1 ppbv at 1800 m altitude (an effective scale height of similar to 800 m), but distinct SO2 plumes were observed between 1800 and 4500 m, the aircraft's ceiling. These free tropospheric plumes play a major role in the export of SO2 and in the accuracy of OMI retrievals. The mean SO2 column contents from aircraft measurements (0.73 DU, Dobson Units) and operational OMI SO2 products (0.63 +/- 0.26 DU) were close. The OMI retrievals were well correlated with in situ measurements (r = 0.84), but showed low bias (slope = 0.54). A new OMI retrieval algorithm was tested and showed improved agreement and bias (r = 0.87, slope = 0.86). The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was used to simulate sulfur chemistry, exhibiting reasonable agreement (r = 0.62, slope = 1.33) with in situ SO2 columns. The mean CMAQ SO2 loading over central and eastern China was 54 kT, similar to 30% more than the estimate from OMI SO2 products, 42 kT. These numerical simulations, constrained by observations, indicate that similar to 50% (35 to 61%) of the anthropogenic sulfur emissions were transported downwind, and the overall lifetime of tropospheric SO2 was 38 +/- 7 h.
Doi 10.1029/2011JD016473
Wosid WOS:000300231400005
Url http://doi.wiley.com/10.1029/2011JD016473
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000300231400005 Journal:JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES 2169-897X
Is Public Yes