Vertical distributions of aerosol optical properties during haze and floating dust weather in Shanghai

A comparative study on the vertical distributions of aerosol optical properties during haze and floating dust weather in Shanghai was conducted based on the data obtained from a micro pulse lidar. There was a distinct difference in layer thickness and extinction coefficient under the two types of weather conditions. Aerosols were concentrated below 1 km and the aerosol extinction coefficients ranged from 0.25 to 1.50 km(-1) on haze days. In contrast, aerosols with smaller extinction coefficients (0.20-0.35 km(-1)) accumulated mainly from the surface to 2 km on floating dust days. The seasonal variations of extinction and aerosol optical depth (AOD) for both haze and floating dust cases were similar-greatest in winter, smaller in spring, and smallest in autumn. More than 85% of the aerosols appeared in the atmosphere below 1 km during severe haze and floating dust weather. The diurnal variation of the extinction coefficient of haze exhibited a bimodal shape with two peaks in the morning or at noon, and at nightfall, respectively. The aerosol extinction coefficient gradually increased throughout the day during floating dust weather. Case studies showed that haze aerosols were generated from the surface and then lifted up, but floating dust aerosols were transported vertically from higher altitude to the surface. The AOD during floating dust weather was higher than that during haze. The boundary layer was more stable during haze than during floating dust weather.