Impact of regional climate patterns on the biomass burning emissions and transport over Peninsular Southeast Asia, 2000-2019

The regional climate variability in peninsular Southeast Asia (PSEA) can influence springtime biomass burning (BB) aerosol emissions and associated transport patterns. To comprehend the interannual variation of regional climate and its impact on PSEA BB, a diagnostic analysis based on the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) dataset and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations from 2000 to 2019 has presented. Employing principal component, composite, and correlation analyses, this study identified four climatic factors governing the emission and transport of PSEA BB aerosols: (i) a low-level anticyclone (suppressed monsoon trough) in the Bay of Bengal, (ii) the relative strength of the anticyclone over the South China Sea, (iii) the Pacific subtropical high, and (iv) low-level westerlies from PSEA to Taiwan. Additionally, BB emissions and transport significantly correlate with the El Nin similar to o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In the El Nin similar to o year, increased anticyclones in the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea accompanied the stronger westerlies, which enhanced BB aerosol emission and transport. The diagnostic results of this study can contribute to a better understanding and improved model simulations of aerosol-climate interactions in South and Southeast Asian monsoon regions.

Automated summary

This study presents a diagnostic analysis of the interannual variation of regional climate and its impact on biomass burning aerosol emissions in peninsular Southeast Asia (PSEA). It identifies four climatic factors governing the emission and transport of PSEA biomass burning aerosols and reveals a significant correlation with the El Nin similar to o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The results contribute to a better understanding and improved model simulations of aerosol-climate interactions in South and Southeast Asian monsoon regions.