Abstract

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Title:: Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Atmosphere and Snow Black Carbons in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Author(s):: TANG Xiang-xiang; WANG Mo; XU Bai-qing; 1. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; 3. Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Keywords:: black carbon; spatial distribution; seasonal variation; atmosphere; snow; aerosol; emission; Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Abstract:: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the source of major rivers in Asia. Black carbon (BC) aerosol emits from surrounding regions can be transported to the inner QinghaiTibet Plateau by atmospheric circulation and consequently deposited in snow, which can significantly influence precipitation and mass balance of glaciers. Spatial distribution of atmosphere and snow black carbons in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was reviewed. The results show that the concentrations of atmosphere black carbon gradually decrease from the outside to the inner of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and exponentially decrease with the increase of elevation; the concentrations of atmosphere black carbon in the westerly region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau show high values in summer and low values in winter, whereas those in the monsoon region present high values in winter and spring seasons, and low values in summer; the contents of snow black carbon have the same seasonal characteristics of the concentrations of atmosphere black carbon, and decrease from the southern to the northern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and linearly decrease with the increase of elevation.