Air Quality in Beijing, China; Analysis of Tom Cahill, UC Davis (Before and during the Olympics ) NASA MODIS real color images, NOAA HYSPLIT trajectories, local weather, BBC noon PM 10 (until 8/25), Chaoyang 24 hr PM 10, July - August, 2008; Google Earth at approximately the same scale The UC Davis DELTA * Group, * Detection and Evaluation of Long-range Transport of Aerosols Note: I posted an incomplete weather/PM10 caption to the MODIS photos August 12, covering August If you downloaded, please replace with the current corrected data.

Coal deposits in China, sites of most of the coal fired power plants Beijing

Summary: July, 2008; in about ½ of all days, winds were from south of Beijing with the highest pollution level; average =  g/m 3 (max = 351  g/m 3 ) Trajectories from Mongolia, relatively high wind velocities – avg 23.0  g/m 3 4 days Mongolia plus slow SW loop – 69.0  g/m 3 1 day Trajectories south of Beijing, relatively low wind velocities – avg  g/m 3 12 days Trajectories south and east of Beijing, relatively low wind velocities – avg 96.7  g/m 3 4 days Trajectory SW of Beijing –  g/m 3 1 day Trajectory NE of Beijing – fast wind velocities 32.0  g/m 3 1 day

UN WHO interim goal for developing countries WHO goal Institution of Chinese controls Pre-controls ug/m3Post-controls ug/m3 Olympics 78.4  g/m 3

PM 10 – BBC noon versus Chaoyang (stadium) 24 hr Since my goal is to explain daytime visibility, I choose the BBC noon readings, usually at minimum RH, so as to avoid nighttime fogs and accelerated particle removal. These ended on August 26. The Chaoyang readings at the stadium are 24 hr. Other readings throughout Beijing are similar to Chaoyang, at the stadium, affirming the regional nature of the haze sulfates (see analysis at end). This also predicts that most of the mass is actually PM 2.5, and because these particles are inhalable, subject to a more strict with a US EPA 24 hour value at 35  g/m 3.

August 8, 2008; T avg =29.7 C, RH avg = 72%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 8.3 km/hr, Visibility = 3.6 km, PM 10 = 156  g/m 3 Beijing

Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 8 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and 1000 m On Friday, trajectories arrived to Beijing from the south, a highly polluted sector, and at low wind velocities.

August 9, 2008; T avg =29.7 C, RH avg = 75%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 8.0 km/hr, Visibility = 4.2 km, PM 10 = 110  g/m 3 Beijing

On Saturday, trajectories arrived to Beijing from the south, a highly polluted sector, and at low wind velocities. Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 9 came from for the past 48 hours for trajectories heights of 200, 500, and 1000 m above the ground

August 10, 2008; T avg =25.9 C, RH avg = 88%, rain = 2.1 cm, V w = 9.6 km/hr, Visibility = 3.4 km, PM 10 = 278  g/m 3 Beijing

Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday came from for the past 48 hours for trajectories heights of 200, 500, and 1000 m above the ground On Sunday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the southeast, a highly polluted sector, and at low wind velocities.

August 11, 2008; T avg =23.1 C, RH avg = 88%, rain = 2.7 cm, V w = 8.0. km/hr, Visibility = 9.6 km, PM 10 = 54  g/m 3 Beijing

On Monday, trajectories arrived to Beijing from the east, an oceanic sector with heavy rain Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday came from for the past 48 hours for trajectories heights of 200, 500, and 1000 m above the ground

August 12, 2008; T avg =25.3 C, RH avg = 81%, rain = 1.6 cm, V w = 6.4. km/hr, Visibility = 11.0 km, PM 10 = 41  g/m 3 Beijing

On Tuesday, trajectories arrived to Beijing from the east, an oceanic sector with continuing rain Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 12 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories shown in the lower panel are red 200, blue 500, and 1000 m

August 13, 2008; T avg =26.4 C, RH avg = 82%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 3.2. km/hr, Visibility = 5.1 km, PM 10 = 128  g/m 3 Beijing

On Wednesday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the southeast, with some oceanic influence, and at low wind velocities. Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 13 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 14, 2008; T avg =24.2 C, RH avg = 87%, rain = 1.7 cm, V w = 8.0. km/hr, Visibility = 7.5 km, PM 10 = 46  g/m 3 Beijing

Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 14 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Thursday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the east, with some oceanic influence, and at low wind velocities.

August 15, 2008; T avg =25.6 C, RH avg = 64%, rain = 0.5 cm, V w = 8.0. km/hr, Visibility = 17.3 km, PM 10 = 12  g/m 3 Beijing

Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 15 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Friday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the northeast, with moderate wind velocities.

August 16, 2008; T avg =23.7 C, RH avg = 61%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 8.0. km/hr, Visibility = 29.1 km, PM 10 = 7  g/m 3 Beijing

Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 16 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Saturday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the northeast, a clean sector, with high wind velocities.

August 17, 2008; T avg =21.5 C, RH avg = 84%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 4.8. km/hr, Visibility = 12.3 km, PM 10 = 54  g/m 3 Beijing

Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 17 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Sunday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the northeast, a clean sector, at moderate wind velocities.

August 18, 2008; T avg =23.1 C, RH avg = 73%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 8.0, km/hr, Visibility = 22.4 km, PM 10 = 18  g/m 3 Beijing

Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 18 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Monday trajectories arrived to Beijing from the east, a clean sector, with oceanic influence, and at moderate wind velocities.

August 19, 2008; T avg =29.7 C, RH avg = 75%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 4.8, km/hr, Visibility = 13.6 km, PM 10 = 39  g/m 3 Beijing

Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 19 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Tuesday winds arrived at Beijing from the northeast, with a local gyre and low wind velocities.

August 20, 2008; T avg =25.3 C, RH avg = 75%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 4.8, km/hr, Visibility = 8.8 km, PM 10 = 39  g/m 3 Beijing

On Wednesday winds arrived to Beijing from the south and southeast, a polluted sector, with a local gyre and low wind velocities. PM 10 values are rising and visibility decreasing. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 21, 2008; T avg =20.9 C, RH avg = 92%, rain = 0.4 cm, V w = 8.0, km/hr, Visibility = 5.8 km, PM 10 = 56  g/m 3 Beijing

On Thursday winds arrived to Beijing from the southeast, a moderately polluted sector with oceanic influences, with wind velocities. PM 10 values are rising. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 22, 2008; T avg =25.3 C, RH avg = 72%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 6.4, km/hr, Visibility = 7.8 km, PM 10 = 21  g/m 3 Beijing

On Friday winds arrived to Beijing from the northwest, the cleanest sector, with moderately high wind velocities. PM 10 values are low and visibility excellent. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 23, 2008; T avg =26.4 C, RH avg = 69%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 4.8, km/hr, Visibility = 15.4 km, PM 10 = 12  g/m 3 Beijing

On Saturday, winds arrived to Beijing from the west-northwest, the cleanest sector, with moderately high wind velocities. PM 10 values are low and visibility excellent. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 24, 2008; T avg =26.4 C, RH avg = 62%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 9.6, km/hr, Visibility = 12.8 km, PM 10 = 99  g/m 3 Beijing

On Sunday winds arrived to Beijing from the west, a moderately polluted sector, with average wind velocities. PM 10 values are rising and visibility excellent. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 25, 2008; T avg =24.8 C, RH avg = 74%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 6.3, km/hr, Visibility = 8.6 km, PM 10 = 70  g/m 3 Beijing

On Monday, the first day after the Olympics, winds arrived to Beijing from the south, a highly polluted sector, with average wind velocities. PM 10 values are rising and visibility degrading. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 26, 2008; T avg =23.9 C, RH avg = 79%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 8.0, km/hr, Visibility = 6.6 km, PM 10 = 93  g/m 3 Beijing

On Tuesday, after the Olympics, winds arrived to Beijing from the southeast, a moderately polluted sector, with average wind velocities. PM 10 values are high and visibility degrading. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 27, 2008; T avg =23.1 C, RH avg = 79%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 4.8, km/hr, Visibility = 6.1 km, PM 10 = 55  g/m 3 PRC Beijing

On Wednesday, after the Olympics, winds arrived to Beijing from the southeast, a moderately polluted sector, with average wind velocities. PM 10 values are moderate and visibility degrading. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 28, 2008; T avg =24.8 C, RH avg = 79%, rain = 0.0 cm, V w = 4.8, km/hr, Visibility = 4.5 km, PM 10 = na  g/m 3 PRC Beijing

On Thursdasy, after the Olympics, winds arrived to Beijing from the southeast, a polluted sector, with low wind velocities. PM 10 values are high and visibility degrading. Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL

August 29, 2008; T avg =23.7 C, RH avg = 88%, rain = 0.9 cm, V w = 6.4, km/hr, Visibility = 3.5 km, PM 10 = 122  g/m 3 PRC Beijing

Technical note: Trajectories from the NOAA HYSPLIT model trace where the air arriving in Beijing midday August 20 came from for the past 48 hours. The height of the trajectories are red 200, blue 500, and green 1000 m AGL On Friday, after the Olympics, winds arrived to Beijing from the south, a polluted sector, with low wind velocities. PM 10 values are very high and visibility degraded.

BEIJING OLYMPICS: Pollution-cutting measures yield best air quality in decade -- government (08/19/2008) Air quality in Beijing this month has been at its best level in 10 years after the government took extreme measures to reduce pollution, according to the environmental protection bureau. Beijing has had 18 "full-compliance" days in August, including nine grade-one days, said Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau. The government shut down production at polluting factories, halted construction work and took more than half the vehicles off the road in preparation for the Olympic Games. The city has spent $17 billion in improving air quality for the Olympics. Compared with previous host cities, Beijing has made the most intense efforts to cut emissions," Du said. Du said monitoring data prove the air quality has improved despite the continued presence of hazy skies. "As long as the figures are up to standard, compliant, we will say that the air quality is good," Du said. "There is still a gap between meteorological conditions, temperature and humidity with visibility and people's feeling of comfort" (Tian Ying, Bloomberg, Aug. 19). -- KJH Commentary on Beijing’s claims (below)

My commentary on Beijing claims…TA Cahill In the period July 1 to July 20, when China instituted strict controls, the noontime PM 10 from BBC averaged  g/m 3, with the 50% of the trajectories from the south averaging  g/m 3. In the period from July 20 through August 7, with strict controls in place, noontime PM 10 from BBC averaged  g/m 3 with about 2/3 of the trajectories from the south of Beijing. During the Olympics, –from August 8 through August 10, winds were from the south and PM 10 averaged  g/m 3 (120.0 official 24 hr at stadium) –From August 11 through August 19, all trajectories have come from the north and east of Beijing, average 44.3  g/m 3. –Thus during the Olympics, only ¼ of the trajectories came from the polluted sectors and the PM 10 averages 78.6  g/m 3. –In August 2007, from August 8 through August 19, for example, 45% of all trajectories came from the south. Thus, the low levels of pollution August 12 through 19 are a function of anomalously good weather, with frequent rains and winds from the ocean and northeast China. Maybe was indeed lucky!

Tentative analysis of the Pollution Tom Cahill, DELTA Group, UC Davis While Dr. Cliff of the UC Davis DELTA Group has an 8 stage DRUM sampler in Beijing, we will have no current compositional data on the aerosols for a few weeks. When we do, we will compare these with summer samples we took in ACE- Asia for NSF in Beijing, However, with coal fired power plants as the major SO 2 source, and observing the color of the haze (grey), and the RH, we can draw an analogy to the eastern US in summer when US sulfate pollution was at its peak before the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 dictated improvement. In that period, the daytime aerosols were mostly highly hydrated sulfuric acid for particles in the most optically efficient range, 0.3 to 0.7  m, reverting to ammonium sulfate each night. –See references next slide, plus … –T.A. Cahill, P, Wakabayashi, T. James. Chemical State of Sulfate at Shenandoah National Park During Summer 1991 Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 109/110 (1996) –Cahill, Thomas A., K.D. Perry, Dutcher, D.D, R.A. Eldred, D.E. Day Size/compositional profiles of aerosols at Great Smoky Mountains National Park during SEAVS. Proceedings of a Specialty Conference sponsored by Air & Waste Management Association and the American Geophysical Union. Visual Air Quality: Aerosol and Global Radiation Balance, Vol. II, pp

References BBC’s PM IMPROVE Malm, W.C., Sisler, J.F., Huffman, D., Eldred, R.A. and Cahill, T.A.. Spatial and seasonal trends in particle concentration and optical extinction in the United States Journal of Geophysical Research, VOL. 99, No. D1, , January 20, 1994 Eldred, Robert A. and Thomas A. Cahill. Trends in elemental concentrations of fine particles at remote sites in the United States Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 28, No. 5, pp –Note: 1992 was about the peak of the US regional sulfate haze prior to improvements from the Clean Air Act Amendments of NSF ACE-Asia –Seinfeld, J.H., Carmichael, G.R., Arimoto, R, Conant, W. C., Brechtel, F. J., Bates, T. S., Cahill, T. A., Clarke, A.D., Flatau, B.J., Huebert, B.J., Kim, J., Markowicx, K.M., Masonis, S.J., Quinn, P.K., Russell, L.M., Russell, P.B., Shimizu, A., Shinozuka, Y., Song, C.H., Tang, Y., Uno, I., Vogelmann, A.M., Weber, R.J., Woo, J-H., Zhang, Y. ACE-Asia: Regional Climatic and Atmospheric Chemical Effects of Asian Dust and Pollution, Bulletin American Meteorological Society 85 (3): 367+ MARCH 2004 HYSPLIT Citation Draxler, R.R. and Rolph, G.D., HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) Model access via NOAA ARL READY Website ( NOAA Air Resources Laboratory, Silver Spring, MD.; Rolph, G.D., Real-time Environmental Applications and Display sYstem (READY) Website ( NOAA Air Resources Laboratory, Silver Spring, MD. Acknowledgment The authors gratefully acknowledge the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) for the provision of the HYSPLIT transport and dispersion model and/or READY website ( used in this publication