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Summer PM2.5 Pollution Extremes Caused by Wildfires Over the Western United States During 2017–2018
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2020
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Source: Geophysical Research Letters, 47(16)
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Journal Title:Geophysical Research Letters
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NOAA Program & Office:
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Description:Using observations and model simulations (ESM4.1) during 1988–2018, we show large year-to-year variability in western U.S. PM2.5 pollution caused by regional and distant fires. Widespread wildfires, combined with stagnation, caused summer PM2.5 pollution in 2017 and 2018 to exceed 2 standard deviations over long-term averages. ESM4.1 with a fire emission inventory constrained by satellite-derived fire radiative energy and aerosol optical depth captures the observed surface PM2.5 means and extremes above the 35 μg/m3 U.S. air quality standard. However, aerosol emissions from the widely used Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) must be increased by 5 times for ESM4.1 to match observations. On days when observed PM2.5 reached 35–175 μg/m3, wildfire emissions can explain 90% of total PM2.5, with smoke transported from Canada contributing 25–50% in northern states, according to model sensitivity simulations. Fire emission uncertainties pose challenges to accurately assessing the impacts of fire smoke on air quality, radiation, and climate.
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Source:Geophysical Research Letters, 47(16)
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Rights Information:Other
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Compliance:Submitted
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