Exploring Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry in Megacities: Insights from the Beijing 325 m Meteorological Tower
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Yele SUN,
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Zifa WANG,
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Linlin WANG,
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Xueling CHENG,
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Weiqi XU,
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Yu SHI,
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Wei ZHOU,
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Yan LI,
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Fei HU,
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Zhiqiu GAO,
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Zhongxiang HONG
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Graphical Abstract
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Abstract
The Beijing 325 m meteorological tower stands as a pivotal research platform for exploring atmospheric boundary layer physics and atmospheric chemistry. With a legacy spanning 45 years, the tower has played a crucial role in unraveling the complexities of urban air pollution, atmospheric processes, and climate change in Beijing, China. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the measurements on the tower over the past two decades. Through long-term comprehensive observations, researchers have elucidated the intricate relationships between anthropogenic emissions, meteorological dynamics, and atmospheric composition, shedding light on the drivers of air pollution and its impacts on public health. The vertical measurements on the tower also enable detailed investigations into boundary layer dynamics, turbulent mixing, and pollutant dispersion, providing invaluable data for validating chemical transport models. Key findings from the tower’s research include the identification of positive feedback mechanisms between aerosols and the boundary layer, the characterization of pollutant sources and transport pathways, the determination of fluxes of gaseous and particulate species, and the assessment of the effectiveness of pollution control measures. Additionally, isotopic measurements have provided new insights into the sources and formation processes of particulate matter and reactive nitrogen species. Finally, the paper outlines future directions for tower-based research, emphasizing the need for long-term comprehensive measurements, the development of innovative tower platforms, and integration of emerging technologies.
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