Links of climate variability in Arctic sea ice, Eurasian teleconnection pattern and summer surface ozone pollution in North China

Abstract

Abstract. Summer surface O3 pollution has rapidly intensified in China in the recent decade, damaging human and ecosystem health. In 2017, the summer mean maximum daily average 8 h concentration of ozone was greater than 150 µg m−3 in North China. Based on the close relationships between the O3 concentration and the meteorological conditions, a daily surface O3 weather index was constructed, which extends the study period to the historical period before 2007 and the projected future. Here, we show that in addition to anthropogenic emissions, the Eurasian teleconnection pattern (EU), a major globally atmospheric teleconnection pattern, influences surface O3 pollution in North China on a timescale of climate. The local meteorological conditions associated with the EU positive phase supported intense and efficient photochemical reactions to produce more surface O3. The associated southerlies over North China transported surrounding O3 precursors to superpose local emissions. Increased solar radiation and high temperatures during the positive EU phase dramatically enhanced O3 production. Furthermore, due to the close connection between the preceding May Arctic sea ice (SI) and summer EU pattern, approximately 60 % of the interannual variability in O3-related weather conditions was attributed to Arctic sea ice to the north of Eurasia. This finding will aid in understanding the interannual variation in O3 pollution, specifically the related meteorological conditions.

Teleconnection between the Asian Polar Vortex and surface PM2.5 in China

“…We used this method for daily and monthly analyses and selected the typical distribution of pollution to reverse the distribution of atmospheric circulation 26 . To link the spatial distribution of pollution in China to the APV, we used a teleconnection method 18 . This method is used to study the atmosphere on the planetary scale.…”

“…Therefore, anomalous Arctic sea ice will also affect PM 2.5 pollution distributions in China on a climatic scale 17 . Thus, the APV reflects the impact of global climate change on air quality 18 . The PV is a large low-pressure system that is entrenched in the Arctic.…”

Dominant patterns of summer ozone pollution in eastern China and associated atmospheric circulations

“…Stratospheric ozone forms a protective layer that shields us from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, surface ozone is an air pollutant and has harmful effects on people and the environment, such as damaging human lungs (Day et al, 2017) and destroying agricultural crops and forest vegetation (Yue et al, 2017). Worldwide, polluted ozone events are more frequent and stronger in China than those that have taken place in Japan, South Korea, Europe and the United States (Lu et al, 2018).…”

“…Employing the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, Li et al (2018) found that rapid decreases in fine particulate matter levels significantly stimulated ozone production in NC by slowing down the aerosol sink of hydro-peroxy radicals. In addition, the meteorological conditions also influenced the ozone levels via modulation of the photochemical episodes and removal effects (Yin et al, 2019;Lu et al, 2019). Intense solar radiation accelerated chemical O 3 production (Tong et al, 2017).…”

“…The changes in the East Asian summer monsoon led to 2 %-5 % interannual variations in surface O 3 concentrations over central eastern China (Yang et al, 2014). Continental anticyclones created sunny and calm weather, which are favorable conditions for O 3 production in NC (Ding et al, 2013;Yin et al, 2019). Due to the associated transport of pollution from inland, tropical cyclones are often related to the evaluation of surface O 3 levels in the coastal areas of the PRD (Ding et al, 2004).…”