MODIS Collection 005（MODIS_C005） aerosol product is validated over the China Sea. Aerosol optical thickness at 550nm （AOT550） and fine mode fraction （FMF） are used to analyze spatial-temporal distribution of aerosol over the China Sea. Then meteorological data are used to discuss formation mechanism of aerosol characteristics. The results show that firstly MODIS_C005 aerosol product has a good quality over the China Sea. Secondly, AOT550 and FMF have a notable spatial-temporal distribution feature. AOT550 reaches maximum in spring and winter, and minimum in summer and fall; oppositely, FMF reaches maximum in summer and fall, and minimum in spring and winter. Meanwhile, AOT550 and FMF have marked longitudinal variation. AOT550 appears maximum between 30°N—40°N and decreases towards north and south. And FMF increases from south to north and the tendency of increase becomes slow at 30°N. In addition, they have an obvious meridional variation. AOT550 and FMF both decrease with the increase of longitude. Finally, based on meteorological data, the source is the continent aerosol and wind and rainfall are the two most important factors.

China Sea;aerosol;spatial-temporal distribution;formation mechanism