On the multi-day haze in the Asian continental outflow: An important role of synoptic condition combined with regional and local sources

Air quality of the megacities in the populated and industrialized regions like East Asia is affected by both local and regional emission sources. A combined effect of regional transport and local emissions on multi-day haze was investigated by synthetic analysis of PM2.5, sampled at both an urban site in Seoul, South Korea and an upwind background site in Deokjeok Island over the Yellow Sea, during a severe multi-day haze episode in late February 2014. Inorganic components as well as carbonaceous species of daily PM2.5 samples were measured, and gaseous pollutants, local meteorological factors and synoptic meteorological conditions were also determined. Dominance of fine-mode particles, a large secondary inorganic fraction (76 %), high OC/EC ratio (7.3), and highly oxidized aerosols under relatively warm, humid, and stagnant conditions characterize the multi-day haze episode; however, the early and late stages of the episode show different chemical compositions of PM2.5. High concentrations of sulfate in both Seoul and the upwind background in the early stage suggest a significant regional influence on the onset of the multi-day haze. At the same time, high concentrations of nitrate and organic compounds in Seoul, which are local and highly correlated with meteorological factors, suggest the contribution of local emissions and secondary formation under the stagnant meteorological condition to the haze. A slow eastward-moving high-pressure system from southern China to the East China Sea induces the regional transport of aerosols and potential gaseous precursors for secondary aerosols from the North China Plain in the early stage but provides stagnant conditions conducive to the accumulation and the local formation of aerosols in the late stage. A blocking ridge over Alaska developed during the episode hinders the zonal propagation of synoptic-scale systems and extends the haze period to several days. This study provides chemical insights of haze development sequentially by regional transport and local sources, and shows that the synoptic condition plays an important role for the dynamical evolution of long-lasting haze in the Asian continental outflow region.