Journal article
Sensitivity of predicted pollutant levels to urbanization in China
Atmospheric environment (1994), Vol.60, pp.544-554
12/2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.06.075
Abstract
Urbanization in China accompanies economic development and population growth. Changes in land use leads to changes in both meteorological and chemical fields. In this study, the impact of land use change in Jing-Jin-Ji (JJJ, indicating Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei) and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) areas on meteorology and ozone concentrations are studied using the WRF–Chem model. Land use change is represented by two different land cover data sets: USGS and MODIS. Monthly-average simulations show that urbanization causes an increase in 2-m temperature by maximum 2.4 °C and 3.2 °C in these two areas, respectively. Wind speed simulations suggest a decrease (average 1.2 m s−1) in daytime for YRD, and in nighttime for JJJ. Dew point differences show a dry effect over both areas, with maximum −3 °C in JJJ and −2.4 °C in YRD. Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) height increases by 400 m (maximum in JJJ) and 600 m (maximum in YRD) for daytime, and nighttime increases are less than 100 m. Daytime ozone concentrations in JJJ increase by 20 ppb due to urbanization, while in YRD the difference is around 5 ppb. Compared to observations, mean errors in urban areas was improved when using updated land use information by 14.2% and 35.6%, and in suburban areas by 5.8% and 10.7%. Updating land use data set in air quality modeling is important in application to regions with rapid urbanization such as China. The effects due to land use change can be as large as those due to 20% increase in emissions.
► We model urbanization impact on air quality in JJJ and YRD areas. ► Urbanization increases T-2, decreases wind speeds and dew points, and enhances PBL heights. ► Ozone simulations rise after urbanization, but with different diurnal pattern in two areas. ► After updating land cover data, mean errors between simulations and observations are reduced in both urban and base points.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Sensitivity of predicted pollutant levels to urbanization in China
- Creators
- Man Yu - College of Engineering, University of Iowa, 52242 IC, IA, USAGregory R Carmichael - College of Engineering, University of Iowa, 52242 IC, IA, USATong Zhu - College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, ChinaYafang Cheng - College of Engineering, University of Iowa, 52242 IC, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Atmospheric environment (1994), Vol.60, pp.544-554
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.06.075
- ISSN
- 1352-2310
- eISSN
- 1873-2844
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- name: NSF; name: CHE-1049140; name: Beijing Council of Science and Technology; name: HB200504-6; name: HB200504-2
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2012
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Nursing; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984003985002771
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