Distribution, Transport, and Impact on Air Quality of Two Typical Dust Events in China in 2021

The dust event from 12 January to 17 2021 (“1.12 event”) is the first process in and earliest last two decades. 14 18 March (“3.15 was strongest storm past decade. Distribution, transport, impact on urban air quality of these typical events were studied using multi-source satellite data, a HYSPLIT trajectory model, 3D concentration-weighted model. Results show that both affected wide range areas, covering Northwest, North, Northeast, East, Central-South China. A strong belt spanning Northeast China formed northern 15 2021. distribution heights 1.12 3.15 0–5 km 0–10 km, respectively. Dust western Inner Mongolia southern dominated event, while event. Both sources had eastward southeastward transport paths. majority near-ground downstream cities an altitude 0–3 km. Most by backflow. generated more severe particulate pollution than During high-value days, ozone levels decreased at stations. weather with low rising backflow phenomena should be taken seriously forecasting warning work. International collaboration needed improve China’s desertification control.