Forest Roles in Particle Removal during Spring Dust Storms on Transport Path

Abstract

The transpacific transport of mineral dust often occurs in spring, and a large amount of aeolian dust is deposited in the Asian continent and north Pacific. Moreover, a heterogeneous reaction occurs when dust particles are mixed with man-made pollution gases and particles. In the present study, atmospheric PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were investigated, and a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray energy spectrometer were used to analyze the effects of dust resistance and capture by forests. It showed that (1) the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations during a dust storm, on sunny days, and during light pollution periods, were higher in the non-forest covered area (NFC area) than in the forest covered area (FC area), except during heavy pollution events; which suggests that the forests have a strong effect on dust resistance; (2) the PM reduction efficiency of forests was highest on sunny days, followed by light pollution periods, heavy pollution periods, and during the dust storm; (3) after the dust storm, TSP captured by leaves significantly increased, especially for the broadleaved tree species; and the particulates number in the grooves on leaves’ surface increased particularly sharply. This study will help improve the dust resistance and retention efficiency of forest shelterbelt projects during dust storms.