[Variation of atmospheric particle number concentrations in Qingdao and its impact on visibility]

Atmospheric particle number concentrations were measured from September 2010 to August 2011 with potable light house laser particle counter to study the variation of atmospheric particle concentrations and its impact on visibility in Qingdao. Backward trajectory was calculated by Hysplit model. Statistical analysis was done to discuss the influence of meteorological factors on the atmospheric particle number concentrations and visibility. It was shown that the atmospheric particle number concentrations were the highest in winter and spring, followed by autumn, and the lowest in summer. Air mass from Xinjiang and Gansu regions resulted in higher particle concentrations, while the atmospheric particles from the northeast and the ocean had lower concentrations. The variation of atmospheric particle number concentrations presented a good negative correlation with the variation of wind speed, relative humidity and mixed-layer height. When the air mass came from west or northwest, the surface wind direction was south or southeast and the mixed-layer height was low, the number concentration of fine particles was likely to be higher, which tended to cause low visibility phenomenon.