Characterization and source apportionment of marine aerosols over the East China Sea

Awareness of the importance of marine atmosphere for accurately estimating global aerosol budget and climate impacts has arisen recently. However, studies are limited due to the difficulty and inconvenience in sampling as well as the diversity of sources. In this study, the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was applied to investigate the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components over the East China Sea (ECS) and offshore regions. In spite of slight under-predictions, model predictions agree well with observations over the ECS and along the coast. PM2.5 and its major components in the mainland are higher than in marine area, suggesting Asian continent is a major emitter of marine aerosols. PM2.5 and its components in marine regions show higher abundance during daytime than nighttime, while it is opposite in continental regions. Aerosol phase SO42− is the most abundant component of PM2.5 over the ECS with an average concentration of 5.12 μg m−3, followed by NH4+ (1.02 μg m−3) and primary organic aerosol (POA) (0.92 μg m−3). Industry and ship emissions are the top two contributors to primary (PPM) and total PM2.5 over the ECS, while industry and agriculture sectors are major sources for secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA), followed by ship emissions. For terrestrial regions, industry and agriculture are predominant sources of PM2.5 and SIA, while industry and residential activities are the top two contributors to PPM. This study improves the understanding of transport and accumulation of air pollutants over the ECS and adjacent regions, and provides useful information for designing efficient control strategies. [Display omitted] •PM2.5 and components over the East China Sea and offshore regions were investigated.•Model predictions agree well with observations over the ECS and along the coast.•Emissions from China have significant effects on marine aerosols over the ECS.•SO42− is the most abundant PM2.5 component over the ECS, followed by NH4+ and POA.•Industry and ship emissions are the top two contributors to total PM2.5.