Proposal for a Research Infrastructure for Advanced Aerosol Observations and

Capacity Building in China

Alfred WIEDENSOHLER Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research,

Leipzig, Germany

ASEM Seminar, Beijing Oct. 22-12, 2013

TROPOS Cooperation in ChinaTROPOS has close research cooperation with China since 2004:

- Peking University, College of Environmental Science & Technology- Peking University, Atmospheric Physics- CMA, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences- Peking University Department of Occupational and Environmental Health,

We participated is several major fields study:

- Pearl River Delta study 2004- Beijing study 2005 (NFSC & DFG project)- Pearl River Delta study 2006- CAREBeijing 2006- Haze in China 2009 (NFSC & DFG project)- CAREBejing & NCP 2013 (Sino-German Science Center project)

In total, our group has 49 joint publications with our Chinese partners

Introduction Aerosol

Introduction AerosolParticle size range: 0.001 µm to 100 µm

Coarse Particles: > 1 µm in diameterprimary: sea-salt, mineral dust, biological

Fine Particles: < 1 µm in diametersecondary: condensation (SO4

2-, NO3-, OC)

combustion: EC, OC

Ultrafine Particles: < 0.1 µm in diametersecondary: nucleation (SO4

2-)secondary: condensation (SO4

2-, NO3-, OC)

combustion: EC, OC

Climate Effects of Aerosol and Clouds

Aerosol particle increase the backscatter of the solar radiation. -

Soot lead to an increase absorption of solar radiation in the atmosphere. +

Low clouds increase the backscatter of the solar radiation. -

High altitude ice clouds anticipate the emission of terrestrial radiation. +

Health-Relevant Aerosol Fractions

Combustion aerosol:TrafficIndustryDomestic heating

SulfatesNitratesOCBiological particlesMineral dust

20%Highly toxic(PAHs andmetals)

80%Less or non-toxic

Wichmann, 2011

Health Impact of Ultrafine Particle

7

inflammation translocationneurohumorale

mechanisms

Coarse and fineparticles

ultrafine particles

Problem: Aerosol Pollution in China

Strong economic increase and development of the living standard.

High aerosol pollution over large areas in China.

Needs in Aerosol Research in China

I. Emission reductions of particulate matter and reactive trace gases based on scenarios of aerosol model.

II. Field studies to better understand specific atmospheric aerosol processes, specific parameters, and transport.

III. Development of a highly quality-assured nation-wide research infrastructure network and coordinated capacity building.

IV. Test and validation of aerosol climate and air quality models with advanced observations.

Aerosol Pollution is China – Is there a Way out?

A continuous growth of China’s economy and an improving living standard is expected for the next decade.

An increase in economy and living standard goes along increase in energy consumption and possible further emissions.

A meaningful emission reduction can only be obtained emission reduction scenarios, which could show balance costs and benefits.

Validated chemical aerosol transport model could provide these scenarios.

One needs however a research infrastructure providing long-term highly quality-assured data to validate of these models.

ACTRIS Network

ACTRIS partner stations

EU-ACTRIS - Scientific Aerosol Infrastructure Network

ACTRIS has more than 50 scientific ground-based stations for in-situ and lidar aerosol measurements.

In-situ: Size distribution, light scattering and absorption, EC/OC, CCN, organic tracers, mass concentration

Lidar: vertical distribution of light extinction, polarization etc.

Scientific institutes and universities are responsible to keep the data quality high.

Free access of the data (GAW - World Data Center for Aerosols)

EU-ACTRIS - Scientific Aerosol Infrastructure Network

The ACTRIS community provides knowledge transfer:

European and international-wide

Education of young scientists and technical staff

Standardization of measurements and sampling

Quality assurance by the WCCAP at TROPOS (WMO-GAW World Calibration Center of Aerosol Physics)

Scientific Intensive StudiesProcess studies should be done in all sensitive regions:

Climate-relevant studiesSecondary aerosol nucleation and growth, chemical compositionBlack carbon mixing state, vertical distributionHygroscopicity hygroscopic growth, mixing stateOptical properties vertical distribution, single scattering albedo, etc.

Health-related studiesUltrafine particles insoluble particlesBlack carbon number and mass size distributionMetals, PAH, etc. mass concentrations

Fast Particle Growth in China

Wiedensohler et al., JGR, 2009

Hygroscopic Growth in China

Observational and Emission Reduction Strategy

Aerosol climate and air quality model

Emission reduction of particle matter and

trace gases

Advanced aerosol infrastructure network

Governmental contributing

observational networks

Air Pollution

Capacity building & technology transfer (i.e. ACTRIS)

Summary and Benefits A coordinated research infrastructure in China would help to understand

better the current situation and long-term trend of the aerosol pollution

Chinese research may have to be increasingly encouraged to cooperate multidisciplinary in atmospheric aerosol science.

One has to establish centers to coordinate the harmonization of measurements and data quality, possibly adopting European and international standardizations.

A coordinated capacity building in atmosphere aerosol science and especially in technology is essential to obtain high quality data

With the help of such an advanced aerosol research infrastructure, chemical aerosol transport models can be increasingly better validated.

Chemical aerosol transport models are the basis for efficient emissions reduction scenarios.

Thank you very much for your attention

I would be happy to answer question

and also be part of the future strategy.

ACTRIS station BEO MoussalaBulgaria