Aerosol particles at a high‐altitude site on the Southeast Tibetan Plateau, China: Implications for pollution transport from South Asia

Abstract Bulk aerosol samples were collected from 16 July 2008 to 26 July 2009 at Lulang, a high‐altitude (>3300m above sea level) site on the southeast Tibetan Plateau (TP); objectives were to determine chemical characteristics of the aerosol and identify its major sources. We report aerosol (total suspended particulate, TSP) mass levels and the concentrations of selected elements, carbonaceous species, and water‐soluble inorganic ions. Significant buildup of aerosol mass and chemical species (organic carbon, element carbon, nitrate, and sulfate) occurred during the premonsoon, while lower concentrations were observed during the monsoon. Seasonal variations in aerosol and chemical species were driven by precipitation scavenging and atmospheric circulation. Two kinds of high‐aerosol episodes were observed: one was enriched with dust indicators (Fe…