Winter monsoon variability and its impact on aerosol concentrations in East Asia

We investigate the relationship between winter aerosol concentrations over East Asia and variability in the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) using GEOS-Chem 3-D global chemical transport model simulations and ground-based aerosol concentration data. We find that both observed and modeled surface aerosol concentrations have strong relationships with the intensity of the EAWM over northern (30–50°N, 100–140°E) and southern (20–30°N, 100–140°E) East Asia. In strong winter monsoon years, compared to weak winter monsoon years, lower and higher surface PM_2.5 concentrations by up to 25% are shown over northern and southern East Asia, respectively. Analysis of the simulated results indicates that the southward transport of aerosols is a key process controlling changes in aerosol concentrations over East Asia associated with the EAWM. Variability in the EAWM is found to play a major role in interannual variations in aerosol concentrations; consequently, changes in the EAWM will be important for understanding future changes in wintertime air quality over East Asia. - Highlights: • East Asian Winter monsoon impact on aerosol concentrations in East Asia. • Aerosol concentrations have strong relationships with the intensity of the East Asian winter monsoon. • Differences in PM_2.5 concentrations caused by differences in winter monsoon intensity are up to 25%. • East Asian winter monsoon is important for the interannual variation of aerosol concentrations. - The East Asian winter monsoon plays an important role in controlling the interannual variation in wintertime aerosol concentrations over East Asia.