Investigating the mechanisms driving the seasonal variations in surface PM_2.5 concentrations over East Africa with the WRF-Chem model

Abstract

Most previous studies on surface PM_2.5 concentrations over East Africa focused on short-term in situ observations. In this study, the WRF-Chem model combined with in situ observations is used to investigate the seasonal variation in surface PM_2.5 concentrations over East Africa. WRF-Chem simulations are conducted from April to September 2017. Generally, the simulated AOD is consistent with satellite retrieval throughout the period, and the simulations depicted the seasonal variation in PM_2.5 concentrations from April to September but underestimated the concentrations throughout the period due to the uncertainties in local and regional emissions over the region. The composition analysis of surface PM_2.5 concentrations revealed that the dominant components were OIN and OC, accounting for 80% and 15% of the total concentrations, respectively, and drove the seasonal variation. The analysis of contributions from multiple physical and chemical processes indicated that the seasonal variation in surface PM_2.5 concentrations was controlled by the variation in transport processes, PBL mixing, and dry and wet deposition. The variation in PM_2.5 concentrations from May to July is due to wind direction changes that control the transported biomass burning aerosols from southern Africa, enhanced turbulent mixing of transported aerosols at the upper level to the surface and decreased wet deposition from decreased rainfall from May to July.