Laboratory-scale Experiment and Model Calculation on the Washout Mechanism of Asian Dust Particles

In this study, an investigation was conducted to assess the washout mechanism of Asian dust particles through both laboratory-scale experiment and model calculation. To artificially simulate Asian dust particle, $CaCO_3$ particles were generated inside an experimental chamber. They were then scavenged by the artificial rain drops. The abundant $CaCO_3$ particles scavenged on a rain drop were successively identified by SEM observation. The concentrations of Ca in residual $CaCO_3$ particles on individual droplet were quantified by PIXE analysis. There was a tendency toward a high accumulation of Ca on a relatively small drop (e.g., <1.0 mm diameter). It is thus suggested that smaller rain drops can effectively scavenge a significant amount of Asian dust particles in ambient atmosphere. The numerical estimation can account for 92.1% and 83.2% of Ca that were measured in small (<1.0 mm diameter) and large (>2.0 mm diameter) size drops, respectively.