Effects of nocturnal boundary layer subsidence and long-distance transports on PM vertical profiles in the Yangtze River Delta of China measured by PM sensor on unmanned aerial vehicle and PM Lidar.

Atmospheric boundary layer structures and long-distance transports significantly affect fine particulate matter (PM) vertical profiles. In this study, the PM vertical profiles in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) of China were measured by PM sensor on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and PM Lidar in 2022 (April, June, October) and 2023 (February). The results showed that the PM vertical profiles appeared obvious stratification on the top of nocturnal boundary layer (NBL). The NBL subsidence stabilized the boundary layer structure and inhibited the vertical diffusion of PM, increasing the ground PM concentrations. However, when there was an active turbulent motion during the NBL subsidence, the PM from the surface might be transported upward. The PM vertical mean concentrations (0-500 m) in the YRD decreased by 58-95% within 3 h, which might be caused by the rapid shift of long-distance transport sources from the North China Plain to the Yellow Sea with higher wind speeds according to backward trajectory. When the ambient PM concentrations were high (>20 μg m) and the weather was clear, the PM Lidar could also observe the diurnal variations of PM vertical profiles (200-500 m) like the PM sensor on UAV. However, there were differences in the PM vertical concentrations, and the differences of PM vertical mean concentrations (200-500 m) measured by the two methods in different seasons were 2.2-13.6 μg m. When the PM concentrations were lower than 17 μg m, the measurement performance of PM Lidar was significantly lower than those of the PM sensor on UAV.