Aerosol forces mesoscale secondary circulations occurrence: evidence of emission reduction

Here, we present modeling evidence of the influences of aerosol feedback on secondary circulations (SCs). The results show that in heavily PM2.5 polluted Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) areas, the aerosol feedback is the primary factor on the occurrence and development of mesoscale SCs in the atmospheric boundary layer. Modeling evidence reveal that the impact of aerosol feedback on SCs is proportional to PM2.5 concentrations or precursor emissions. During the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) with extraordinary emission reduction, the time levels of SCs significantly decreases to ~37.3% of the periods without emission reduction before and after APEC period. The simulated PM2.5 during APEC are ~47.6% of before and after APEC period, and the measured concentration ratio at 47.7%. The largest variation in SC occurred during the afternoon, which should be related to the stronger solar radiation. We found that the reduction in wind speed caused by aerosol feedback and related convergence and divergence of the air mass play a pivotal role in SCs evolution. Against the background of prevailing westerly winds in BTH, the strengthening and appearance of clockwise SCs caused by aerosol feedback leads to an increase in the frequency of surface easterly U-wind. These phenomena have also been validated in two other emission reduction events and the emission reduction actions in the BTH region in January and July of 2014, 2017, and 2020, respectively. The results of this paper showing substantial impact of aerosol feedback on SCs, which could help promote our understanding of content and level of aerosol feedback to atmospheric changes.