The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)’s Institute for the Environment (IENV) and the HKSAR Environmental Protection Department (HKEPD) jointly held a press conference on 19 Sep 2022 to introduce the large-scale collaboration efforts to study and develop science-based regional ozone and photochemical smog control strategies led by the HKEPD and conducted by atmospheric research teams from HKUST, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). This research collaboration effort also involves numerous international experts and atmospheric research teams including those in Guangdong and Macao.

The combination of multi-disciplinary expertise with cutting-edge technology is targeted for improving the quantitative understanding of different emission sources contributing to the formation of ozone and smog in the atmosphere, their transport pathways, and their enroute transformation processes over Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

During the press conference, Prof. Alexis LAU, Director of IENV and Head of the Division of Environment & Sustainability (ENVR) at HKUST, gave an overview of the regional ozone and smog problems and their significant health impacts. Dr. Kenneth LEUNG, Assistant Director (Air Policy) of HKEPD outlined the multi-year collaboration efforts, which include (1) the setting up of multiple real-time research-grade instruments at selected sites around Hong Kong to continuously monitor the ground level variations of the reactive organic precursors significant for ozone and smog formations, (2) the setting up of a multi-site LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) network to continuously monitor the 3-dimensional variations of wind, ozone and particulates and their impact on air pollution over Hong Kong, (3) the setting up of comprehensive air-borne, sea-borne and land-based sampling capabilities to be deployed under short-notice during ozone episodes, (4) the setting up of a “Gold Standard Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Analysis Lab” to allow precise and world-class VOC analyses to support the enhanced VOC sampling and source apportionment needs, (5) the use of state-of-the-art photochemical models to integrate and reconcile the various observations, and to access the impact of different ozone and smog control strategies. In addition, the research results and progress are closely monitored by an expert scientific steering committee comprised of leading atmospheric researchers from Hong Kong and the Mainland, to make sure that the best science is used to formulate the final ozone and smog control strategies.

Prof. Donald R. BLAKE of The University of California Irvine highlighted the non-linear nature of the ozone problem and the critical importance of getting the ozone precursors correctly identified for effective control of ozone. He noted that “if you don’t get the reactive VOC right for your region, your control just will not be effective”. Noting the complex physical and photochemical transformation of the atmospheric pollutants, Prof. Douglas WORSNOP of The University of Helsinki and Vice President of Aerodyne Research, emphasized that “multi-team, multi-expertise collaboration is needed to address the ozone problem” and “congratulated HKEPD for coordinating this large-scale research effort”.

Background:

Over the last two decades, the emission reduction efforts of the governments in Hong Kong, Macao, and Guangdong have resulted in significant reductions in the ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM) levels. Nevertheless, the average concentration of ozone remains high and is still on a rising trend. This problem can clearly be seen during the past two weeks, with the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) going up to “Very High” or “Serious” all over the city almost every day, and ozone being the pollutant contributing to most of the increased short-term health risks reported by the AQHI.

Complexity of the ozone problem: Unlike other pollutants (e.g., SO2, CO) that are emitted directly into the atmosphere from specific sources, ozone is NOT directly emitted, but instead, it is formed in the atmosphere through complex photochemical reactions involving its reactive precursors including NO2 and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The reactive VOC precursors are a family of hundreds of chemical compounds released, often at trace levels, from a wide range of man-made and natural sources.

Moreover, because of the different industrial mixes and the natural environment in different regions, the composition of the reactive precursors could be very different from one place to another. Furthermore, the ambient concentrations of these reactive species are often very low (at parts-per-trillion levels), and hence their accurate measurements require the use of advanced (research grade) instruments, supported by experienced researchers following carefully designed sampling and analysis protocols.

Key components of the current research effort:

1.    Hence, the first part of the research effort is the continuous monitoring of the atmospheric composition of the reactive organic precursors. This includes the operation of advanced continuous mass-spectrometry instruments by research teams led by Prof. Zhe WANG, Assistant Professor of ENVR (HKUST), Prof. Jianzhen YU, Chair Professor of ENVR (HKUST), Prof. Chak Keung CHAN (CityU), Prof. Kin-Fai HO (CUHK), and Prof. Shun Cheng LEE (PolyU), at multiple locations (urban, rural, background, and at the top of Tai Mo Shan) to fully characterize the detailed composition of the ambient atmosphere around Hong Kong.

2.    Atmospheric transport is three-dimensional. Besides quantifying the atmospheric composition on the ground, a good understanding of the atmospheric transport in the surface boundary layer above the ground is also very important. Hence, the second part of the research effort is the operation of LIDARs led by Prof. Changqing LIN, Research Assistant Professor of ENVR (HKUST) to continuously measure the vertical variations of wind, ozone, and particulate matter (PM) at multiple locations across Hong Kong.

3.    Ground and LIDAR measurements can provide continuous information at specific points, but the spatial coverage is still limited. Hence, the third part of the research effort is to conduct much more comprehensive air, sea, and land measurements during episodic events. These include the advanced real-time sensor-based air monitoring and collection of multiple air samples using helicopters from the Government Flying Services led by Prof. Zhi NING, Associate Professor of ENVR (HKUST), and Prof. Dasa GU, Assistant Professor of ENVR (HKUST), aboard marine vessels led by Prof. Zhe WANG, Assistant Professor of ENVR (HKUST), and through enhanced 80-point simultaneous coordinated gridded sampling conducted in Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong. 

4.    The enhanced sampling implies a large increase in the need for precise VOC analyses, not just for the current research effort in Hong Kong, but also for understanding and qualifying the rising ozone problem in the GBA in the future. Hence, the fourth part of the research effort is the support by HKEPD and the Innovation Technology Commission (ITC) for the establishment of a Gold Standard VOC lab in Hong Kong led by Prof. Alexis LAU, Director of IENV and Head of ENVR (HKUST), and Prof. Dasa GU, Assistant Professor of ENVR (HKUST). This lab is targeted to serve as a reference lab to help enhance the region’s capability in VOC measurements and analyses.

5.    The observational data generated by the routine and episodic measurements shall be analyzed by the initial research teams, as well as the source apportionment team led by Prof. Zibing YUAN (South China University of Technology, Guangzhou) to help identify the dominant sources contributing to the release of the reactive precursors.

6.    At the same time, the observations will also be used by the modeling team led by Prof. Jimmy FUNG, Associate Provost (Teaching & Learning) (HKUST), to fine-tune and validate the air quality model for use in ozone and smog studies over Hong Kong and the GBA. Subsequently, informed by the source apportionment studies, the modeling team shall also conduct scenario analyses to evaluate the performance of different emission control strategies in the reduction of ozone pollution in Hong Kong and the GBA.

Dr. Kenneth Leung emphasized that “this is the most sophisticated and comprehensive regional ozone study conducted in the GBA region to-date and cross-universities collaboration is the key for successful completion of this joint research effort.” The progress of this collaborative research is also closely monitored by an 8-member expert scientific steering committee including academician, Prof. Jiming HAO (Tsinghua), Academician. Prof. Yuanhang ZHANG (PKU), Prof. Zifa WANG (Institute of Atmospheric Physics), Prof. XinMing WANG (Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry), Prof. Junyu ZHENG (Jinan University), Prof. Yongbo ZHANG (Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Sciences), Prof. Alexis LAU (HKUST), and Prof. Tao WANG (PolyU). The steering committee meets at least once a year to review the key findings and recommend potential updates and enhancements in the research methodologies, ensuring that the most up-to-date science is being considered and incorporated in this collaborative research effort.

Besides the science, Prof. Alexis LAU asked the young researchers to treasure the golden opportunity of participating in this type of large, mission-oriented, multi-disciplinary research projects. He said, “There will be a lot of hard work, and probably many arguments with your team members. However, at the end, the experience in working with a large multi-disciplinary group, and watch how your research is being used in a wider context can be really eye-opening and beneficial for your professional and leadership development.”

About HKUST Institute for the Environment:

HKUST Institute for the Environment is an interdisciplinary research institute that promotes and conducts research aiming at improving the environment of Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta (Greater Bay Area), and beyond. We collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, including academic, industrial and environmental non-governmental partners. We will continue to stretch our collaborative efforts and build cross-border synergies with mainland institutions for a greener and healthier Greater Bay Area. https://ienv.ust.hk

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