Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon, which often occurs when dust and smoke, especially fine and dry particles accumulate under the unfavored meteorological conditions, which may block the dispersal of pollutants. Haze impairs visibility and may become a respiratory health threat. Haze particles may act as condensation nuclei for the cloud formation, playing an important role on energy balance of the earth system. Since 1991, haze has been a particularly acute problem in Southeast Asia, but it is still unclear on the formation mechanism of haze pollution. The followings are achievements on the research of haze pollution in Xiamen:
The investigation of the characteristic of spatial and temporal distribution of haze phenomenon in recent years.
During haze episode, the aerosol particles were collected by quartz fiber filters, on which the water soluble ions, metal elements, particle size distribution, and elemental carbon and organic carbon were analyzed.
The aerosol of PM10/PM2.5 are also monitored continuously, it is observed that the proportion of PM2.5 is more than 50% of PM10.
With help of the daily meteorological data and electron microscopic pictures, the source and formation mechanism of haze pollution is also assessed.