Articles | Volume 16, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-8461-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-8461-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Jul 2016
Research article |
| 12 Jul 2016
Investigation of processes controlling summertime gaseous elemental mercury oxidation at midlatitudinal marine, coastal, and inland sites
Zhuyun Ye
Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Huiting Mao
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Che-Jen Lin
Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA
Su Youn Kim
R&D Program Evaluation Division Office of National Evaluation and Analysis Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), Seoul, South Korea
Related authors
Huiting Mao, Dolly Hall, Zhuyun Ye, Ying Zhou, Dirk Felton, and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 11655–11671, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11655-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11655-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant hazardous to human and ecosystem health, and its emission control is imperative. Anthropogenic mercury emissions have been reduced by 78 % in the United States from 1990 to 2014. However, no clearly defined trend was observed in Hg concentrations at urban locations such as the one in this study. This indicates that other factors may have dominated over anthropogenic emission control. The implications of this study could hence be highly policy relevant.
Ashu Dastoor, Hélène Angot, Johannes Bieser, Flora Brocza, Brock Edwards, Aryeh Feinberg, Xinbin Feng, Benjamin Geyman, Charikleia Gournia, Yipeng He, Ian M. Hedgecock, Ilia Ilyin, Jane Kirk, Che-Jen Lin, Igor Lehnherr, Robert Mason, David McLagan, Marilena Muntean, Peter Rafaj, Eric M. Roy, Andrei Ryjkov, Noelle E. Selin, Francesco De Simone, Anne L. Soerensen, Frits Steenhuisen, Oleg Travnikov, Shuxiao Wang, Xun Wang, Simon Wilson, Rosa Wu, Qingru Wu, Yanxu Zhang, Jun Zhou, Wei Zhu, and Scott Zolkos
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 2747–2860, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2747-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2747-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper introduces the Multi-Compartment Mercury (Hg) Modeling and Analysis Project (MCHgMAP) aimed at informing the effectiveness evaluations of two multilateral environmental agreements: the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. The experimental design exploits a variety of models (atmospheric, land, oceanic ,and multimedia mass balance models) to assess the short- and long-term influences of anthropogenic Hg releases into the environment.
Jonas O. Sommar, Xueling Tang, Xinyu Shi, Guangyi Sun, Che-Jen Lin, and Xinbin Feng
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4190, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4190, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A more thorough understanding of the complex processes involved in the atmospheric Hg cycle has been achieved. The dynamics of the cycle are influenced by a rapid redox chemistry with several oxidation states and effects of multiphase interactions. This review provides a detailed analysis of the atmospheric chemistry of Hg in both the lower and upper atmosphere, together with a synthesis of the latest kinetic, thermochemical, photochemical, and isotopic fractionation data.
Tamara Emmerichs, Abdulla Al Mamun, Lisa Emberson, Huiting Mao, Leiming Zhang, Limei Ran, Clara Betancourt, Anthony Wong, Gerbrand Koren, Giacomo Gerosa, Min Huang, and Pierluigi Guaita
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-429, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-429, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The risk of ozone pollution to plants is estimated based on the flux through the plant pores which still has uncertainties. In this study, we estimate this quantity with 9 models at different land types worldwide. The input data stems from a database. The models estimated mostly reasonable summertime ozone deposition. The different results of the models varied by land cover which were mostly related to the moisture deficit. This is an important step for assessing the ozone impact on vegetation.
Jun Zhou, Zhangwei Wang, Xiaoshan Zhang, Charles T. Driscoll, and Che-Jen Lin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 16117–16133, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-16117-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-16117-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Mercury (Hg) emissions from natural resources have a large uncertainty, which is mainly derived from the forest. A long-term and multiplot (10) study of soil–air fluxes at subtropical and temperate forests was conducted. Forest soils are an important atmospheric Hg source, especially for subtropical forests. The compensation points imply that the atmospheric Hg concentration plays a critical role in inhibiting Hg emissions from the forest floor. Climate change can enhance soil Hg emissions.
Ying Zhou, Huiting Mao, and Barkley C. Sive
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-164, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-164, 2019
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Ozone is a detrimental air pollutant affecting the public health. Elevated ozone episodes have been reported in oil and natural gas basins. However, there have not any studies investigating the long term impact of expanded oil and gas extraction activities on ozone. Our study suggests that emissions from oil and gas extraction have likely played a significant role in shaping decadal trends in ozone design values in the Intermountain West. The findings of this study are highly policy relevant.
Jun Zhou, Zhangwei Wang, Xiaoshan Zhang, Charles Driscoll, and Che-Jen Lin
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-161, 2019
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Previous studies showed that Hg emissions from the natural resource exists large uncertainty, which was mainly derived from the forest with a large uncertainty range. Long-term and multi-plot (five) study of soil-air fluxes and the vertical distribution of Hg in a subtropical forest were conducted to reduce the uncertainty. Additionally, The Hg diffusion coefficients (Ds) between soil and atmosphere was investigated, which should provide a foundation for future model development.
Katherine B. Benedict, Yong Zhou, Barkley C. Sive, Anthony J. Prenni, Kristi A. Gebhart, Emily V. Fischer, Ashley Evanoski-Cole, Amy P. Sullivan, Sara Callahan, Bret A. Schichtel, Huiting Mao, Ying Zhou, and Jeffrey L. Collett Jr.
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 499–521, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-499-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-499-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Rocky Mountain National Park experiences high ozone concentrations that can exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. As part of the FRAPPÉ field campaign, a suite of volatile organic compounds were measured to characterize the sources of ozone precursors that contribute to high ozone in the park. These measurements indicate emissions from the Front Range in Colorado tied to oil and gas operations, urban areas, and the stratosphere contribute to episodes of elevated ozone.
Huiting Mao, Dolly Hall, Zhuyun Ye, Ying Zhou, Dirk Felton, and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 11655–11671, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11655-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11655-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant hazardous to human and ecosystem health, and its emission control is imperative. Anthropogenic mercury emissions have been reduced by 78 % in the United States from 1990 to 2014. However, no clearly defined trend was observed in Hg concentrations at urban locations such as the one in this study. This indicates that other factors may have dominated over anthropogenic emission control. The implications of this study could hence be highly policy relevant.
Leiming Zhang, Seth Lyman, Huiting Mao, Che-Jen Lin, David A. Gay, Shuxiao Wang, Mae Sexauer Gustin, Xinbin Feng, and Frank Wania
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9133–9144, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9133-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9133-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Future research needs are proposed for improving the understanding of atmospheric mercury cycling. These include refinement of mercury emission estimations, quantification of dry deposition and air–surface exchange, improvement of the treatment of chemical mechanisms in chemical transport models, increase in the accuracy of oxidized mercury measurements, better interpretation of atmospheric mercury chemistry data, and harmonization of network operation.
Hui Zhang, Xuewu Fu, Che-Jen Lin, Lihai Shang, Yiping Zhang, Xinbin Feng, and Cynthia Lin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13131–13148, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13131-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13131-2016, 2016
Huiting Mao, Irene Cheng, and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12897–12924, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12897-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12897-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding of spatial and temporal variations of atmospheric speciated mercury can advance our knowledge of mercury cycling in various environments. This review summarized spatiotemporal variations of TGM/GEM, GOM, and PBM in environments including oceans, continents, high elevation, the free troposphere, and low to high latitudes. Remaining questions/issues and recommendations were provided for future research.
Xun Wang, Che-Jen Lin, Wei Yuan, Jonas Sommar, Wei Zhu, and Xinbin Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 11125–11143, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11125-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11125-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a mechanistic model for estimating the emission of elemental mercury vapor (Hg0) from natural surfaces in China. The development implements recent advancements in the understanding of air–soil and air–foliage exchange of Hg0 and redox chemistry in soil and on surfaces, incorporates the effects of soil characteristics and landuse changes by agricultural activities, and is examined through a systematic set of sensitivity simulations.
Wei Zhu, Che-Jen Lin, Xun Wang, Jonas Sommar, Xuewu Fu, and Xinbin Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 4451–4480, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-4451-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-4451-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Reliable quantification of air-surfaces flux of elemental mercury vapor (Hg0) is crucial for understanding Hg global biogeochemical cycles. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review on the state of science in the atmosphere-surface exchange of elemental Hg. We compiled an up-to-date global observational flux database and discuss the implication of flux data on global Hg budget. The knowledge gap and research needs for future measurements and modeling efforts were discussed.
Jonas Sommar, Wei Zhu, Lihai Shang, Che-Jen Lin, and Xinbin Feng
Biogeosciences, 13, 2029–2049, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-2029-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-2029-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
A micrometeorological method (REA) has been implemented to assess the role of cereal crop fields in the North China Plain as a source or sink of elemental mercury vapor (Hg0) during the course of a full year. In combination with chamber measurements under the canopy, the above-canopy REA measurements provided evidence for a balance between Hg0 ground emissions and uptake of Hg0 by the crop foliage, with net emissions prevailing from the ecosystem during the majority of a year.
Lei Zhang, Shuxiao Wang, Qingru Wu, Fengyang Wang, Che-Jen Lin, Leiming Zhang, Mulin Hui, Mei Yang, Haitao Su, and Jiming Hao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2417–2433, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2417-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2417-2016, 2016
Y. Zhou, H. Mao, K. Demerjian, C. Hogrefe, and J. Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-15-27253-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-15-27253-2015, 2015
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Baseline carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) were studied at seven rural sites in the Northeast U.S. during varying periods over 2001 – 2010. Baseline CO at all sites decreased significantly at a rate between -4.3 – -2.3 ppbv yr-1, while baseline O3 was relatively constant. Interannual and seasonal variations of baseline CO and O3 were related to increasing Asian emissions, NOx emissions reduction in urban areas, global biomass burning emissions, and meteorological conditions.
X. W. Fu, H. Zhang, B. Yu, X. Wang, C.-J. Lin, and X. B. Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 9455–9476, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-9455-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-9455-2015, 2015
W. Zhu, J. Sommar, C.-J. Lin, and X. Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5359–5376, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5359-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5359-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Bias and uncertainty in Hg flux measured by micrometeorological methods (MM) and dynamic flux chambers (DFCs) are assessed from two field inter-comparison campaigns.
DFC flux bias follows a diurnal cycle due to modified temperature and radiation balance inside the chamber.
The precision in concentration difference measurements poses critical constraint on obtaining a larger fraction of significant MM flux. Asynchronous sampling impairs flux accuracy under varying atmospheric Hg concentration.
W. Nie, A. J. Ding, Y. N. Xie, Z. Xu, H. Mao, V.-M. Kerminen, L. F. Zheng, X. M. Qi, X. Huang, X.-Q. Yang, J. N. Sun, E. Herrmann, T. Petäjä, M. Kulmala, and C. B. Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1147–1159, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1147-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1147-2015, 2015
X. W. Fu, H. Zhang, C.-J. Lin, X. B. Feng, L. X. Zhou, and S. X. Fang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1013–1028, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1013-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1013-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is the first to report correlation slopes of GEM/CO, GEM/CO2, GEM/CH4, CH4/CO, CH4/CO2, and CO/CO2 for mainland China, South Asia, the Indochinese Peninsula, and Central Asia, and applied the values to estimate GEM emissions in the four source regions. The estimated Hg0 emissions for mainland China, South Asia, the Indochinese Peninsula, and Central Asia using GEM/CO and GEM/CO2 correlation slopes are in the ranges of 1071-1187, 340-470, 125, and 54-90t, respectively.
H. Zhang, X. W. Fu, C.-J. Lin, X. Wang, and X. B. Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 653–665, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-653-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-653-2015, 2015
W. Zhu, J. Sommar, C.-J. Lin, and X. Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 685–702, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-685-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-685-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Mercury vapor fluxes measured by the micrometeorological (MM) and dynamic flux chambers (DFCs) methods were compared. Distinct temporal trends existed between MM and DFCs fluxes; the novel chamber method provided net cumulative flux on a level with those derived by MM methods. Statistical analysis indicated that the medians of turbulent fluxes estimated by three MM techniques were not significantly different. Recommendations are given regarding the deployment of Hg flux quantification methods.
X. Wang, C.-J. Lin, and X. Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 6273–6287, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6273-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6273-2014, 2014
J. Zhu, T. Wang, R. Talbot, H. Mao, X. Yang, C. Fu, J. Sun, B. Zhuang, S. Li, Y. Han, and M. Xie
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 2233–2244, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-2233-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-2233-2014, 2014
L. Hu, D. B. Millet, S. Y. Kim, K. C. Wells, T. J. Griffis, E. V. Fischer, D. Helmig, J. Hueber, and A. J. Curtis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 3379–3392, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-3379-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-3379-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Gases | Research Activity: Atmospheric Modelling and Data Analysis | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Chemistry (chemical composition and reactions)
Regional and sectoral contributions of NOx and reactive carbon emission sources to global trends in tropospheric ozone during the 2000–2018 period
Underappreciated contributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces to ozone pollution
Chemistry–climate feedback of atmospheric methane in a methane-emission-flux-driven chemistry–climate model
Surface ozone trend variability across the United States and the impact of heat waves (1990–2023)
Sensitivity of climate effects of hydrogen to leakage size, location, and chemical background
Evaluating tropospheric nitrogen dioxide in UKCA using OMI satellite retrievals over south and east Asia
Technical note: A comparative study of chemistry schemes for volcanic sulfur dioxide in Lagrangian transport simulations – a case study of the 2019 Raikoke eruption
Revisiting the high tropospheric ozone over southern Africa: role of biomass burning and anthropogenic emissions
Monoterpene oxidation pathways initiated by acyl peroxy radical addition
Local and transboundary contributions to NOy loadings across East Asia using CMAQ-ISAM and a GEMS-informed emission inventory during the winter–spring transition
Estimating the variability in NOx emissions from Wuhan with TROPOMI NO2 data during 2018 to 2023
Enhanced understanding of atmospheric blocking modulation on ozone dynamics within a high-resolution Earth system model
Natural emissions of VOC and NOx over Africa constrained by TROPOMI HCHO and NO2 data using the MAGRITTEv1.1 model
Contributions of lightning to long-term trends and inter-annual variability in global atmospheric chemistry constrained by Schumann Resonance observations
Impacts of wildfire smoke aerosols on near-surface ozone photochemistry
Anthropogenic emission controls reduce summertime ozone–temperature sensitivity in the United States
Investigating the response of China's surface ozone concentration to the future changes of multiple factors
Assessing the relative impacts of satellite ozone and its precursor observations to improve global tropospheric ozone analysis using multiple chemical reanalysis systems
Evaluating present-day and future impacts of agricultural ammonia emissions on atmospheric chemistry and climate
Air-pollution-satellite-based CO2 emission inversion: system evaluation, sensitivity analysis, and future research direction
Insights into ozone pollution control in urban areas by decoupling meteorological factors based on machine learning
Quantification of regional net CO2 flux errors in the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) v10 model intercomparison project (MIP) ensemble using airborne measurements
Reactive nitrogen in and around the northeastern and mid-Atlantic US: sources, sinks, and connections with ozone
Preindustrial-to-present-day changes in atmospheric carbon monoxide: agreement and gaps between ice archives and global model reconstructions
Investigating processes influencing simulation of local Arctic wintertime anthropogenic pollution in Fairbanks, Alaska, during ALPACA-2022
Urban ozone formation and sensitivities to volatile chemical products, cooking emissions, and NOx upwind of and within two Los Angeles Basin cities
Causes of growing middle-to-upper tropospheric ozone over the northwest Pacific region
Impact of introducing electric vehicles on ground-level O3 and PM2.5 in the Greater Tokyo Area: yearly trends and the importance of changes in the urban heat island effect
Modelling Arctic Lower Tropospheric Ozone: processes controlling seasonal variations
Climate-driven biogenic emissions alleviate the impact of man-made emission reduction on O3 control in Pearl River Delta region, southern China
South Asia ammonia emission inversion through assimilating IASI observations
Constraining the budget of NOx and VOCs at a remote Tropical island using multi-platform observations and WRF-Chem model simulations
A CO2–Δ14CO2 inversion setup for estimating European fossil CO2 emissions
Maximum ozone concentrations in the southwestern US and Texas: implications of the growing predominance of the background contribution
Derivation of atmospheric reaction mechanisms for volatile organic compounds by the SAPRC mechanism generation system (MechGen)
Comparative ozone production sensitivity to NOx and VOCs in Quito, Ecuador and Santiago, Chile: implications for control strategies in times of climate action
Seasonal, regional, and vertical characteristics of high-carbon-monoxide plumes along with their associated ozone anomalies, as seen by IAGOS between 2002 and 2019
Tropospheric ozone trends and attributions over East and Southeast Asia in 1995–2019: An integrated assessment using statistical methods, machine learning models, and multiple chemical transport models
The potential of drone observations to improve air quality predictions by 4D-Var
Process analysis of elevated concentrations of organic acids at Whiteface Mountain, New York
Sensitivity of climate-chemistry model simulated atmospheric composition to lightning-produced NOx parameterizations based on lightning frequency
Ozone source attribution in polluted European areas during summer 2017 as simulated with MECO(n)
Characterization of reactive nitrogen in the global upper troposphere using recent and historical commercial and research aircraft campaigns and GEOS-Chem
Opinion: Challenges and needs of tropospheric chemical mechanism development
Decrease of the European NOx anthropogenic emissions between 2005 and 2019 as seen from the OMI and TROPOMI NO2 satellite observations
Rapid Increases of Ozone Concentrations over Tibetan Plateau Caused by Local and Non-Local Factors
Tracking daily NOx emissions from an urban agglomeration based on TROPOMI NO2 and a local ensemble transform Kalman filter
The atmospheric oxidizing capacity in China – Part 2: Sensitivity to emissions of primary pollutants
Role of chemical production and depositional losses on formaldehyde in the Community Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Multiphase Mechanism (CRACMM)
Review of source analyses of ambient volatile organic compounds considering reactive losses: methods of reducing loss effects, impacts of losses, and sources
Aditya Nalam, Aura Lupaşcu, Tabish Ansari, and Tim Butler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5287–5311, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5287-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5287-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric O3 molecules are labeled with the identity of their precursor source to simulate contributions from various emission sources to the global tropospheric O3 burden (TOB) and its trends. With an equatorward shift, anthropogenic NOx emissions become significantly more efficient at producing O3 and play a major role in driving TOB trends, mainly due to larger convection at the tropics effectively lifting O3 and its precursors to the free troposphere, where O3 lifetime is longer.
Haofan Wang, Yuejin Li, Yiming Liu, Xiao Lu, Yang Zhang, Qi Fan, Chong Shen, Senchao Lai, Yan Zhou, Tao Zhang, and Dingli Yue
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5233–5250, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5233-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5233-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores how urban green spaces (UGSs) in Guangzhou influence ozone levels. By using advanced models, we found that natural emissions from these areas can significantly affect air quality. Our results suggest that the design and planning of UGSs should not only consider aesthetics and social factors but also their environmental impacts on air quality.
Laura Stecher, Franziska Winterstein, Patrick Jöckel, Michael Ponater, Mariano Mertens, and Martin Dameris
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5133–5158, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5133-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5133-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Methane, the second most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas, is chemically decomposed in the atmosphere. The chemical sink of atmospheric methane is not constant but depends on the temperature and on the abundance of its reaction partners. In this study, we use a global chemistry–climate model to assess the feedback of atmospheric methane induced by changes in the chemical sink in a warming climate and its implications for the chemical composition and the surface air temperature change.
Kai-Lan Chang, Brian C. McDonald, Colin Harkins, and Owen R. Cooper
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5101–5132, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5101-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5101-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Exposure to high levels of ozone can be harmful to human health. This study shows consistent and robust evidence of decreasing ozone extremes across much of the United States over the period from 1990 to 2023, previously attributed to ozone precursor emission controls. Nevertheless, we also show that the increasing heat wave frequencies are likely to contribute to additional ozone exceedances, slowing the progress of decreasing the frequency of ozone exceedances.
Ragnhild Bieltvedt Skeie, Marit Sandstad, Srinath Krishnan, Gunnar Myhre, and Maria Sand
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4929–4942, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4929-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4929-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Hydrogen leakages can alter the amount of climate gases in the atmosphere and hence have a climate impact. In this study we investigate, using an atmospheric chemistry model, how this indirect climate effect differs with different amounts of leakages and with where the hydrogen leaks and if this effect changes in the future. The effect is largest for emissions far from areas where hydrogen is removed from the atmosphere by the soil, but these are not relevant locations for a future hydrogen economy.
Alok K. Pandey, David S. Stevenson, Alcide Zhao, Richard J. Pope, Ryan Hossaini, Krishan Kumar, and Martyn P. Chipperfield
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4785–4802, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4785-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4785-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Nitrogen dioxide is an air pollutant largely controlled by human activity that affects ozone, methane, and aerosols. Satellite instruments can quantify column NO2 and, by carefully matching the time and location of measurements, enable evaluation of model simulations. NO2 over south and east Asia is assessed, showing that the model captures not only many features of the measurements, but also important differences that suggest model deficiencies in representing several aspects of the atmospheric chemistry of NO2.
Mingzhao Liu, Lars Hoffmann, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Zhongyin Cai, Sabine Grießbach, and Yi Heng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4403–4418, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4403-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4403-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the transport and chemical decomposition of volcanic SO2, focusing on the 2019 Raikoke event. By comparing two different chemistry modeling schemes, we found that including complex chemical reactions leads to a more accurate prediction of how long SO2 stays in the atmosphere. This research helps improve our understanding of volcanic pollution and its impact on air quality and climate, providing better tools for scientists to track and predict the movement of these pollutants.
Yufen Wang, Ke Li, Xi Chen, Zhenjiang Yang, Minglong Tang, Pascoal M. D. Campos, Yang Yang, Xu Yue, and Hong Liao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4455–4475, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4455-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4455-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The impacts of biomass burning and anthropogenic emissions on high tropospheric ozone levels are not well studied in southern Africa. We combined model simulations with recent observations at the surface and from space to quantify tropospheric ozone and its drivers in southern Africa. Our work focuses on the impact of emissions from different sources at different spatial scales, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of air pollution drivers and their uncertainties in southern Africa.
Dominika Pasik, Thomas Golin Almeida, Emelda Ahongshangbam, Siddharth Iyer, and Nanna Myllys
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4313–4331, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4313-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4313-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We used quantum chemistry methods to investigate the oxidation mechanisms of acyl peroxy radicals (APRs) with various monoterpenes. Our findings reveal unique oxidation pathways for different monoterpenes, leading to either chain-terminating products or highly reactive intermediates that can contribute to particle formation in the atmosphere. This research highlights APRs as potentially significant but underexplored atmospheric oxidants that may influence future approaches to modelling climate.
Jincheol Park, Yunsoo Choi, and Sagun Kayastha
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4291–4311, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4291-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4291-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated NOx emission contributions to NOy loadings across five regions of East Asia during the 2022 winter–spring transition through chemical transport modeling informed by satellite data. As seasons progress, local contributions within each region to its NOy budget decreased from 32 %–43 % to 23 %–30 %, while transboundary contributions increased from 16 %–33 % to 27 %–37 %, driven by a shift in synoptic settings that allowed pollutants to spread more broadly across the regions.
Qianqian Zhang, K. Folkert Boersma, Chiel van der Laan, Alba Mols, Bin Zhao, Shengyue Li, and Yuepeng Pan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3313–3326, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3313-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3313-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Accurate NOx emission estimates are required to better understand air pollution. This study investigates and demonstrates the ability of the superposition column model in combination with TROPOMI tropospheric NO2 column data to estimate city-scale NOx emissions and lifetimes and their variabilities. The results of this work nevertheless confirm the strength of the superposition column model in estimating urban NOx emissions with reasonable accuracy.
Wenbin Kou, Yang Gao, Dan Tong, Xiaojie Guo, Xiadong An, Wenyu Liu, Mengshi Cui, Xiuwen Guo, Shaoqing Zhang, Huiwang Gao, and Lixin Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3029–3048, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3029-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3029-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Unlike traditional numerical studies, we apply a high-resolution Earth system model, improving simulations of surface ozone and large-scale circulations such as atmospheric blocking. Besides local heat waves, we quantify the impact of atmospheric blocking on downstream ozone concentrations, which is closely associated with the blocking position. We identify three major pathways of Rossby wave propagation, stressing the critical role of large-scale circulation in regional air quality.
Beata Opacka, Trissevgeni Stavrakou, Jean-François Müller, Isabelle De Smedt, Jos van Geffen, Eloise A. Marais, Rebekah P. Horner, Dylan B. Millet, Kelly C. Wells, and Alex B. Guenther
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2863–2894, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2863-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2863-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Vegetation releases biogenic volatile organic compounds, while soils and lightning contribute to the natural emissions of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These gases interact in complex ways. Using satellite data and models, we developed a new method to simultaneously optimize these natural emissions over Africa in 2019. Our approach resulted in an increase in natural emissions, supported by independent data indicating that current estimates are underestimated.
Xiaobo Wang, Yuzhong Zhang, Tamás Bozóki, Ruosi Liang, Xinchun Xie, Shutao Zhao, Rui Wang, Yujia Zhao, and Shuai Sun
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-370, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-370, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Schumann Resonance observations are used to parameterize lightning NOx emissions for better capturing global lightning trend and variability. Updated simulations reveal insignificant trend but greater variability in lightning NOx emissions, impacting tropospheric NOx, O3 and OH. Lightning generally counteracts non-lightning factors, reducing the inter-annua variability of tropospheric O3 and OH. Variations of global lightning play important role in understanding the atmospheric methane budget.
Jiaqi Shen, Ronald C. Cohen, Glenn M. Wolfe, and Xiaomeng Jin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-706, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-706, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study shows large chemical and radiative effects of smoke aerosols from fires on near-surface ozone production. Aerosol loading and NOx levels are identified as the primary factors influencing these effects. Furthermore, we show that the surface PM2.5 to NO2 column ratio can be used as an indicator for identifying aerosol-dominated regimes, facilitating the assessments of aerosol impacts on ozone formation through satellite observations.
Shuai Li, Haolin Wang, and Xiao Lu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2725–2743, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2725-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2725-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Summertime ozone–temperature sensitivity has decreased by 50 % from 3.0 ppbv per K in 1990 to 1.5 ppb per K in 2021 in the US. GEOS-Chem simulations show that anthropogenic nitrogen oxide emission reduction is the dominant driver of ozone–temperature sensitivity decline by influencing both temperature direct and temperature indirect processes. Reduced ozone–temperature sensitivity has decreased ozone enhancement from low to high temperatures by an average of 6.8 ppbv across the US.
Jinya Yang, Yutong Wang, Lei Zhang, and Yu Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2649–2666, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2649-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2649-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We develop a modeling framework to predict future ozone concentrations (till the 2060s) in China following an IPCC scenario. We evaluate the contributions of climatic, anthropogenic, and biogenic factors by season and region. We find persistent emission controls will alter the nonlinear response of ozone to its precursors and dominate the declining ozone level. The outcomes highlight the importance of human actions, even with a climate penalty on air quality.
Takashi Sekiya, Emanuele Emili, Kazuyuki Miyazaki, Antje Inness, Zhen Qu, R. Bradley Pierce, Dylan Jones, Helen Worden, William Y. Y. Cheng, Vincent Huijnen, and Gerbrand Koren
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2243–2268, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2243-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2243-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Five global chemical reanalysis datasets were used to assess the relative impacts of assimilating satellite ozone and its precursor measurements on tropospheric ozone analyses for 2010. The multiple reanalysis system comparison allows an evaluation of the dependency of the impacts on different reanalysis systems. The results suggested the importance of satellite ozone and its precursor measurements for improving ozone analysis in the whole troposphere, with varying magnitudes among the systems.
Maureen Beaudor, Didier Hauglustaine, Juliette Lathière, Martin Van Damme, Lieven Clarisse, and Nicolas Vuichard
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2017–2046, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2017-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2017-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Agriculture is the biggest ammonia (NH3) source, impacting air quality, climate, and ecosystems. Because of food demand, NH3 emissions are projected to rise by 2100. Using a global model, we analyzed the impact of present and future NH3 emissions generated from a land model. Our results show improved ammonia patterns compared to a reference inventory. Future scenarios predict up to 70 % increase in global NH3 burden, with significant changes in radiative forcing that can greatly elevate N2O.
Hui Li, Jiaxin Qiu, and Bo Zheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1949–1963, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1949-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1949-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We conduct a sensitivity analysis with 31 tests on various factors including prior emissions, model resolution, satellite constraint, and other system configurations to assess the vulnerability of emission estimates across temporal, sectoral, and regional dimensions. This reveals the robustness of emissions estimated by this air-pollution-satellite-based CO2 emission inversion system, with relative change between tests and base inversion below 4.0 % for national annual NOx and CO2 emissions.
Yuqing Qiu, Xin Li, Wenxuan Chai, Yi Liu, Mengdi Song, Xudong Tian, Qiaoli Zou, Wenjun Lou, Wangyao Zhang, Juan Li, and Yuanhang Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1749–1763, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1749-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1749-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The chemical reactions of ozone (O3) formation are related to meteorology and local emissions. Here, a random forest approach was used to eliminate the effects of meteorological factors (dispersion or transport) on O3 and its precursors. Variations in the sensitivity of O3 formation and the apportionment of emission sources were revealed after meteorological normalization. Our results suggest that meteorological variations should be considered when diagnosing O3 formation.
Jeongmin Yun, Junjie Liu, Brendan Byrne, Brad Weir, Lesley E. Ott, Kathryn McKain, Bianca C. Baier, Luciana V. Gatti, and Sebastien C. Biraud
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1725–1748, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1725-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1725-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study quantifies errors in regional net surface–atmosphere CO2 flux estimates from an inverse model ensemble using airborne CO2 measurements. Our results show that flux error estimates based on observations significantly exceed those computed from the ensemble spread of flux estimates in regions with high fossil fuel emissions. This finding suggests the presence of systematic biases in the inversion estimates, associated with errors in the fossil fuel emissions common to all models.
Min Huang, Gregory R. Carmichael, Kevin W. Bowman, Isabelle De Smedt, Andreas Colliander, Michael H. Cosh, Sujay V. Kumar, Alex B. Guenther, Scott J. Janz, Ryan M. Stauffer, Anne M. Thompson, Niko M. Fedkin, Robert J. Swap, John D. Bolten, and Alicia T. Joseph
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1449–1476, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1449-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1449-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We use model simulations along with multiplatform, multidisciplinary observations and a range of analysis methods to estimate and understand the distributions, temporal changes, and impacts of reactive nitrogen and ozone over the most populous US region that has undergone significant environmental changes. Deposition, biogenic emissions, and extra-regional sources have been playing increasingly important roles in controlling pollutant budgets in this area as local anthropogenic emissions drop.
Xavier Faïn, Sophie Szopa, Vaishali Naïk, Patricia Martinerie, David M. Etheridge, Rachael H. Rhodes, Cathy M. Trudinger, Vasilii V. Petrenko, Kévin Fourteau, and Philip Place
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1105–1119, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1105-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1105-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Carbon monoxide (CO) plays a crucial role in the atmosphere's oxidizing capacity. In this study, we analyse how historical (1850–2014) [CO] outputs from state-of-the-art global chemistry–climate models over Greenland and Antarctica are able to capture both absolute values and trends recorded in multi-site ice archives. A disparity in [CO] growth rates emerges in the Northern Hemisphere between models and observations from 1920–1975 CE, possibly linked to uncertainties in CO emission factors.
Natalie Brett, Kathy S. Law, Steve R. Arnold, Javier G. Fochesatto, Jean-Christophe Raut, Tatsuo Onishi, Robert Gilliam, Kathleen Fahey, Deanna Huff, George Pouliot, Brice Barret, Elsa Dieudonné, Roman Pohorsky, Julia Schmale, Andrea Baccarini, Slimane Bekki, Gianluca Pappaccogli, Federico Scoto, Stefano Decesari, Antonio Donateo, Meeta Cesler-Maloney, William Simpson, Patrice Medina, Barbara D'Anna, Brice Temime-Roussel, Joel Savarino, Sarah Albertin, Jingqiu Mao, Becky Alexander, Allison Moon, Peter F. DeCarlo, Vanessa Selimovic, Robert Yokelson, and Ellis S. Robinson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1063–1104, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1063-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1063-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Processes influencing dispersion of local anthropogenic pollution in Arctic wintertime are investigated with Lagrangian dispersion modelling. Simulated power plant plume rise that considers temperature inversion layers improves results compared to observations (interior Alaska). Modelled surface concentrations are improved by representation of vertical mixing and emission estimates. Large increases in diesel vehicle emissions at temperatures reaching −35°C are required to reproduce observed NOx.
Chelsea E. Stockwell, Matthew M. Coggon, Rebecca H. Schwantes, Colin Harkins, Bert Verreyken, Congmeng Lyu, Qindan Zhu, Lu Xu, Jessica B. Gilman, Aaron Lamplugh, Jeff Peischl, Michael A. Robinson, Patrick R. Veres, Meng Li, Andrew W. Rollins, Kristen Zuraski, Sunil Baidar, Shang Liu, Toshihiro Kuwayama, Steven S. Brown, Brian C. McDonald, and Carsten Warneke
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1121–1143, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1121-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1121-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In urban areas, emissions from everyday products like paints, cleaners, and personal care products, along with non-traditional sources such as cooking, are increasingly important and impact air quality. This study uses a box model to evaluate how these emissions impact ozone in the Los Angeles Basin and quantifies the impact of gaseous cooking emissions. Accurate representation of these and other anthropogenic sources in inventories is crucial for informing effective air quality policies.
Xiaodan Ma, Jianping Huang, Michaela I. Hegglin, Patrick Jöckel, and Tianliang Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 943–958, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-943-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-943-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our research explored changes in ozone levels in the northwest Pacific region over 30 years, revealing a significant increase in the middle-to-upper troposphere, especially during spring and summer. This rise is influenced by both stratospheric and tropospheric sources, which affect climate and air quality in East Asia. This work underscores the need for continued study to understand underlying mechanisms.
Hiroo Hata, Norifumi Mizushima, and Tomohiko Ihara
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1037–1061, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1037-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1037-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The introduction of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is expected to reduce the primary air pollutants from vehicular exhaust and evaporative emissions while reducing the anthropogenic heat produced by vehicles, ultimately mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This study revealed the impact of introducing BEVs on the decrease in the UHI effect and the impact of BEVs on the formation of tropospheric ozone and fine particulate matter in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan.
Wanmin Gong, Stephen R. Beagley, Kenjiro Toyota, Henrik Skov, Jesper Heile Christensen, Alexandru Lupu, Diane Pendlebury, Junhua Zhang, Ulas Im, Yugo Kanaya, Alfonso Saiz-Lopez, Roberto Sommariva, Peter Effertz, John W. Halfacre, Nis Jepsen, Rigel Kivi, Theodore K. Koenig, Katrin Müller, Claus Nordstrøm, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Paul B. Shepson, William R. Simpson, Sverre Solberg, Ralf M. Staebler, David W. Tarasick, Roeland Van Malderen, and Mika Vestenius
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3750, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3750, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study showed that the springtime O3 depletion plays a critical role in driving the surface O3 seasonal cycle in Central Arctic. The O3 depletion events, while occurring most notably within the lowest few hundred metres above the Arctic Ocean, can induce a 5–7 % of loss in the pan-Arctic tropospheric O3 burden during springtime. The study also found an enhancement in O3 and NOy (mostly PAN) concentrations in the Arctic due to northern boreal wildfires, particularly at altitudes.
Nan Wang, Song Liu, Jiawei Xu, Yanyu Wang, Chun Li, Hua Lu, and Fumo Yang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3771, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3771, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We found that climate warming and changes in vegetation have increased biogenic volatile organic compound emissions in the Pearl River Delta region. These increasing natural emissions, mainly due to climate warming, are weakening the benefits of reducing man-made emission control, leading to higher ozone levels. This work helps us understand how climate change influences air quality and provides important insights for improving pollution control strategies in the future.
Ji Xia, Yi Zhou, Li Fang, Yingfei Qi, Dehao Li, Hong Liao, and Jianbing Jin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3938, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3938, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study established an ammonia emission inventory in South Asia via assimilation-based inversion system. The posterior emissions, calculated by integrating the CEDS inventory and IASI satellite observations, showed significant improvement over the prior. Validation against various measurements all support our posterior emission. It offers valuable insights of ammonia emissions for policymakers and researchers aiming to develop air quality management and mitigation strategies there.
Catalina Poraicu, Jean-François Müller, Trissevgeni Stavrakou, Crist Amelynck, Bert W. D. Verreyken, Niels Schoon, Corinne Vigouroux, Nicolas Kumps, Jérôme Brioude, Pierre Tulet, and Camille Mouchel-Vallon
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3555, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3555, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the sources and impacts of nitrogen oxides and organic compounds over a remote tropical island. High-resolution WRF-Chem simulations were evaluated using in situ, FTIR and satellite measurements. This work highlights gaps in current models, like missing sources of key organic compounds and inaccuracies in emission inventories, emphasizing the importance of improving chemical and dynamical processes in atmospheric modelling for budget estimates in tropical regions.
Carlos Gómez-Ortiz, Guillaume Monteil, Sourish Basu, and Marko Scholze
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 397–424, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-397-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-397-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we test new implementations of our inverse modeling tool to estimate the weekly and regional CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in Europe. We use synthetic atmospheric observations of CO2 and radiocarbon (14CO2) to trace emissions to their sources, while separating the natural and fossil CO2. Our tool accurately estimates fossil CO2 emissions in densely monitored regions like western/central Europe. This approach aids in developing strategies for reducing CO2 emissions.
David D. Parrish, Ian C. Faloona, and Richard G. Derwent
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 263–289, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-263-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-263-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Observation-based estimates of contributions to maximum ozone (O3) concentrations show that background O3 can exceed the air quality standard of 70 ppb in the southwestern US, precluding standard attainment. Over the past 4 decades, US anthropogenic O3 has decreased by a factor of ~ 6.3, while wildfire contributions have increased, so that the background now dominates maximum concentrations, even in Los Angeles, and the occurrence of maximum O3 has shifted from the eastern to the western US.
William P. L. Carter, Jia Jiang, John J. Orlando, and Kelley C. Barsanti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 199–242, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-199-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-199-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes the scientific basis for gas-phase atmospheric chemical mechanisms derived using the SAPRC mechanism generation system, MechGen. It can derive mechanisms for most organic compounds with C, H, O, or N atoms, including initial reactions of organics with OH, O3, NO3, and O3P or by photolysis, as well as the reactions of the various types of intermediates that are formed. The paper includes a description of areas of uncertainty where additional research and updates are needed.
María Cazorla, Melissa Trujillo, Rodrigo Seguel, and Laura Gallardo
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3720, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3720, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The current climate emergency imposes the need to take actions in cities to curb ozone as a pollutant and a climate forcer. In this work we analyze how reducing the levels of ozone precursor would affect photochemical smog in Quito, Ecuador and Santiago, Chile. Results show that if environmental policy were implemented to reduce only nitrogen oxides, the production of ozone would increase substantially for which more integral solutions are needed.
Thibaut Lebourgeois, Bastien Sauvage, Pawel Wolff, Béatrice Josse, Virginie Marécal, Yasmine Bennouna, Romain Blot, Damien Boulanger, Hannah Clark, Jean-Marc Cousin, Philippe Nedelec, and Valérie Thouret
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13975–14004, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13975-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13975-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study examines intense-carbon-monoxide (CO) pollution events measured by commercial aircraft from the In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) research infrastructure. We combine these measurements with the SOFT-IO model to trace the origin of the observed CO. A comprehensive analysis of the geographical origin, source type, seasonal variation, and ozone levels of these pollution events is provided.
Xiao Lu, Yiming Liu, Jiayin Su, Xiang Weng, Tabish Ansari, Yuqiang Zhang, Guowen He, Yuqi Zhu, Haolin Wang, Ganquan Zeng, Jingyu Li, Cheng He, Shuai Li, Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen, Tim Butler, Qi Fan, Shaojia Fan, Grant L. Forster, Meng Gao, Jianlin Hu, Yugo Kanaya, Mohd Talib Latif, Keding Lu, Philippe Nédélec, Peer Nowack, Bastien Sauvage, Xiaobin Xu, Lin Zhang, Ke Li, Ja-Ho Koo, and Tatsuya Nagashima
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3702, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3702, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study analyzes summertime ozone trends in East and Southeast Asia derived from a comprehensive observational database spanning from 1995 to 2019, incorporating aircraft observations, ozonesonde data, and measurements from 2500 surface sites. Multiple models are applied to attribute to changes in anthropogenic emissions and climate. The results highlight increases in anthropogenic emission are the primary driver of ozone increases both in the free troposphere and at the surface.
Hassnae Erraji, Philipp Franke, Astrid Lampert, Tobias Schuldt, Ralf Tillmann, Andreas Wahner, and Anne Caroline Lange
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13913–13934, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13913-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13913-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Four-dimensional variational data assimilation allows for the simultaneous optimisation of initial values and emission rates by using trace-gas profiles from drone observations in a regional air quality model. Assimilated profiles positively impact the representation of air pollutants in the model by improving their vertical distribution and ground-level concentrations. This case study highlights the potential of drone data to enhance air quality analyses including local emission evaluation.
Christopher Lawrence, Mary Barth, John Orlando, Paul Casson, Richard Brandt, Daniel Kelting, Elizabeth Yerger, and Sara Lance
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13693–13713, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13693-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13693-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work uses chemical transport and box modeling to study the gas- and aqueous-phase production of organic acid concentrations measured in cloud water at the summit of Whiteface Mountain on 1 July 2018. Isoprene was the major source of formic, acetic, and oxalic acid. Gas-phase chemistry greatly underestimated formic and acetic acid, indicating missing sources, while cloud chemistry was a key source of oxalic acid. More studies of organic acids are required to better constrain their sources.
Francisco J. Pérez-Invernón, Francisco J. Gordillo-Vázquez, Heidi Huntrieser, Patrick Jöckel, and Eric J. Bucsela
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3348, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3348, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Lightning plays a significant role in tropospheric chemistry by producing substantial amounts of nitrogen oxides. According to recent estimates, thunderstorms that produce a higher lightning frequency rate also produce less nitrogen oxide per flash. We implemented the dependency of nitrogen oxide production per flash on lightning flash frequency in a chemical atmospheric model.
Markus Kilian, Volker Grewe, Patrick Jöckel, Astrid Kerkweg, Mariano Mertens, Andreas Zahn, and Helmut Ziereis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13503–13523, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13503-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13503-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Anthropogenic emissions are a major source of precursors of tropospheric ozone. As ozone formation is highly non-linear, we apply a global–regional chemistry–climate model with a source attribution method (tagging) to quantify the contribution of anthropogenic emissions to ozone. Our analysis shows that the contribution of European anthropogenic emissions largely increases during large ozone periods, indicating that emissions from these sectors drive ozone values.
Nana Wei, Eloise A. Marais, Gongda Lu, Robert G. Ryan, and Bastien Sauvage
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3388, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3388, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses reactive nitrogen observations from NASA DC-8 research aircraft and The In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) campaigns to characterise reactive nitrogen seasonality and composition in the global upper troposphere and to diagnose the greatest knowledge gaps from comparison to a state-of-science model GEOS-Chem that need to be resolved for climate, nitrogen cycle and air pollution assessments.
Barbara Ervens, Andrew Rickard, Bernard Aumont, William P. L. Carter, Max McGillen, Abdelwahid Mellouki, John Orlando, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Paul Seakins, William R. Stockwell, Luc Vereecken, and Timothy J. Wallington
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13317–13339, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13317-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13317-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Chemical mechanisms describe the chemical processes in atmospheric models that are used to describe the changes in the atmospheric composition. Therefore, accurate chemical mechanisms are necessary to predict the evolution of air pollution and climate change. The article describes all steps that are needed to build chemical mechanisms and discusses the advances and needs of experimental and theoretical research activities needed to build reliable chemical mechanisms.
Audrey Fortems-Cheiney, Grégoire Broquet, Robin Plauchu, Elise Potier, Antoine Berchet, Isabelle Pison, Adrien Martinez, Rimal Abeed, Gaelle Dufour, Adriana Coman, Dilek Savas, Guillaume Siour, Henk Eskes, Hugo A. C. Denier van der Gon, and Stijn N. C. Dellaert
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3679, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3679, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study assesses the potential of the OMI and TROPOMI satellite observations to inform about the evolution of NOx anthropogenic emissions between year 2005 and year 2019 at the regional to national scales in Europe. Both the OMI and TROPOMI inversions show decreases in European NOx anthropogenic emission budgets between 2005 and 2019, but with different magnitudes.
Chenghao Xu, Jintai Lin, Hao Kong, Junli Jin, Lulu Chen, and Xiaobin Xu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3471, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3471, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We observed a strong increase in deseasonalized ozone at urban stations on the Tibetan Plateau from 2015 to 2019, far exceeding the trend at the baseline station Waliguan and the Tibet Plateau average trend of four tropospheric ozone products. By combining multiple datasets and modeling approaches, we identified the main contributing factors as more frequent transport passing through the lower layers of high-emission regions and the rapid increase in anthropogenic nitrogen oxide emissions.
Yawen Kong, Bo Zheng, and Yuxi Liu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2996, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2996, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Current high-resolution satellite remote sensing technologies provide a unique opportunity to derive timely, high-resolution emission data. We developed an emission inversion system to assimilate satellite NO2 data to obtain daily, kilometer-scale NOx emission inventories. Our results enhance inventory accuracy, allowing us to capture the effects of pollution control policies on daily emissions (e.g., during COVID-19 lockdown) and improve fine-scale air quality modeling.
Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12943–12962, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12943-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12943-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper employs a regional chemical transport model to quantify the sensitivity of air pollutants and photochemical parameters to specified emission reductions in China for representative winter and summer conditions. The study provides insights into further air quality control in China with reduced primary emissions.
T. Nash Skipper, Emma L. D'Ambro, Forwood C. Wiser, V. Faye McNeill, Rebecca H. Schwantes, Barron H. Henderson, Ivan R. Piletic, Colleen B. Baublitz, Jesse O. Bash, Andrew R. Whitehill, Lukas C. Valin, Asher P. Mouat, Jennifer Kaiser, Glenn M. Wolfe, Jason M. St. Clair, Thomas F. Hanisco, Alan Fried, Bryan K. Place, and Havala O.T. Pye
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12903–12924, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12903-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12903-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We develop the Community Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Multiphase Mechanism (CRACMM) version 2 to improve predictions of formaldehyde in ambient air compared to satellite-, aircraft-, and ground-based observations. With the updated chemistry, we estimate the cancer risk from inhalation exposure to ambient formaldehyde across the contiguous USA and predict that 40 % of this risk is controllable through reductions in anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen oxides and reactive organic carbon.
Baoshuang Liu, Yao Gu, Yutong Wu, Qili Dai, Shaojie Song, Yinchang Feng, and Philip K. Hopke
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12861–12879, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12861-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12861-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Reactive loss of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a long-term issue yet to be resolved in VOC source analyses. We assess common methods of, and existing issues in, reducing losses, impacts of losses, and sources in current source analyses. We offer a potential supporting role for solving issues of VOC conversion. Source analyses of consumed VOCs that reacted to produce ozone and secondary organic aerosols can play an important role in the effective control of secondary pollution in air.
Cited articles
Aranda, A., Le Bras, G., La Verdet, G., and Poulet, G.: The BrO + CH3O2 reaction: kinetics and role in the atmospheric ozone budget, Geophys. Res. Lett., 24, 2745–2748, 1997.
Ariya, P. A., Khalizov, A., and Gidas, A.: Reactions of gaseous mercury with atomic and molecular halogens: kinetics, product studies, and atmospheric implications, J. Phys. Chem. A, 106, 7310–7320, 2002.
Ariya, P. A., Amyot, M., Dastoor, A., Deeds, D., Feinberg, A., Kos, G., Poulain, A., Ryjkov, A., Semeniuk, K., Subir, M., and Toyota, K.: Mercury physicochemical and biogeochemical transformation in the atmosphere and at atmospheric interfaces: a review and future directions, Chem. Rev., 115, 3760–3802, https://doi.org/10.1021/cr500667e, 2015.
Atkinson, R., Baulch, D. L., Cox, R. A., Crowley, J. N., Hampson, R. F., Hynes, R. G., Jenkin, M. E., Rossi, M. J., and Troe, J.: Evaluated kinetic and photochemical data for atmospheric chemistry: Volume I – gas phase reactions of Ox, HOx, NOx and SOx species, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 4, 1461–1738, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-4-1461-2004, 2004.
Atkinson, R., Baulch, D. L., Cox, R. A., Crowley, J. N., Hampson, R. F., Hynes, R. G., Jenkin, M. E., Rossi, M. J., Troe, J., and Wallington, T. J.: Evaluated kinetic and photochemical data for atmospheric chemistry: Volume IV – gas phase reactions of organic halogen species, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 4141–4496, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-4141-2008, 2008.
Balabanov, N. B., Shepler, B. C., and Peterson, K. A.: Accurate global potential energy surface and reaction dynamics for the ground state of HgBr2, J. Phys. Chem. A, 109, 8765–8773, 2005.
Baumgardner, D., Raga, G. B., Kok, G., Ogren, J., Rosas, I., Báez, A., and Novakov, T.: On the evolution of aerosol properties at a mountain site above Mexico City, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 105, 22243–22253, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JD900299, 2000.
Bergan, T. and Rodhe, H.: Oxidation of elemental mercury in the atmosphere; constraints imposed by global scale modelling, J. Atmos. Chem., 40, 191–212, 2001.
Bergan, T., Gallardo, L., and Rodhe, H.: Mercury in the global troposphere: a three-dimensional model study, Atmos. Environ., 33, 1575–1585, 1999.
Chang, J. C. and Hanna, S. R.: Air quality model performance evaluation, Meteorol. Atmos. Phys., 87, 167–196, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-003-0070-7, 2004.
Clarkson, T. W.: The toxicity of mercury and its compounds, in: Mercury Pollution: Integration and Synthesis, edited by: Watras, C. J. and Huckabee, J. W., Boca Raton, FL, USA, 631–641, 1994.
Cziczo, D. J., Nowak, J. B., Hu, J. H., and Abbatt, J. P. D.: Infrared spectroscopy of model tropospheric aerosols as a function of relative humidity: observation of deliquescence and crystallization, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 102, 18843–18850, 1997.
Dibble, T. S., Zelie, M. J., and Mao, H.: Thermodynamics of reactions of ClHg and BrHg radicals with atmospherically abundant free radicals, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 10271–10279, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10271-2012, 2012.
Donohoue, D. L., Bauer, D., and Hynes, A. J.: Temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients for the reaction of Hg with Cl and the reaction of Cl with Cl: a pulsed laser photolysispulsed laser induced fluorescence Study, J. Phys. Chem. A, 109, 7732–7741, 2005.
Finlayson-Pitts, B. J.: Halogens in the troposphere, Anal. Chem., 82, 770–776, https://doi.org/10.1021/ac901478p, 2010.
Finley, B. D. and Saltzman, E. S.: Observations of Cl2, Br2, and I2 in coastal marine air, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D21301, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010269, 2008.
Fischer, E. V., Ziemba, L. D., Talbot, R. W., Dibb, J. E., Griffin, R. J., Husain, L., and Grant, A. N.: Aerosol major ion record at Mount Washington, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 112, D02303, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007253, 2007.
Ghosal, S., Brown, M. A., Bluhm, H., Krisch, M. J., Salmeron, M., Jungwirth, P., and Hemminger, J. C.: Ion partitioning at the liquid/vapor interface of a multicomponent alkali halide solution: a model for aqueous sea salt aerosols, J. Phys. Chem. A, 112, 12378–12384, 2008.
Glasow, R. V., Sander, R., Bott, A., and Crutzen, P. J.: Modeling halogen chemistry in the marine boundary layer 1. Cloud-free MBL, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 107, 9-1–9-16, 2002.
Goodsite, M. E., Plane, J. M. C., and Skov, H.: A theoretical study of the oxidation of HgO to HgBr2 in the troposphere, Environ. Sci. Technol., 38, 1772–1776, 2004.
Goodsite, M. E., Plane, J. M. C., and Skov, H.: Erratum: A theoretical study of the oxidation of HgO to HgBr2 in the troposphere, (Environ. Sci. Technol., 38, 1772–1776, https://doi.org/10.1021/es034680s, 2004), Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 5262, https://doi.org/10.1021/es301201c, 2012.
Guha, S. and Francisco, J. S.: An ab initio study of the pathways for the reaction between CH3O2 and BrO radicals, J. Chem. Phys., 118, 1779–1793, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1531099, 2003.
Gustin, M. S., Huang, J., Miller, M. B., Peterson, C., Jaffe, D. A., Ambrose, J., Finley, B. D., Lyman, S. N., Call, K., Talbot, R., Feddersen, D., Mao, H., and Lindberg, S. E.: Do we understand what the mercury speciation instruments are actually measuring? Results of RAMIX, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 7295–7306, 2013.
Gustin, M. S., Amos, H. M., Huang, J., Miller, M. B., and Heidecorn, K.: Measuring and modeling mercury in the atmosphere: a critical review, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5697–5713, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5697-2015, 2015.
Hall, B.: The gas phase oxidation of elemental mercury by ozone, Water Air Soil Poll., 80, 301–315, 1995.
Hanna, S. R.: Air quality model evaluation and uncertainty, JAPCA J. Air Waste Ma., 38, 406–412, https://doi.org/10.1080/08940630.1988.10466390, 1988.
Hanna, S. R., Strimaitis, D. G., and Chang, J. C.: Hazard response modeling uncertainty (a quantitative method), vol. I: User's guide for software for evaluating hazardous gas dispersion models; vol. II: Evaluation of commonly-used hazardous gas dispersion models; vol. III: Components of uncertainty in hazardous gas dispersion models, Sigma Research Corporation, Westford, USA, 1991.
Hanna, S. R., Chang, J. C., and Strimaitis, D. G.: Hazardous gas model evaluation with field observations, Atmos. Environ. A-Gen., 27, 2265–2285, https://doi.org/10.1016/0960-1686(93)90397-H, 1993.
Hedgecock, I. M. and Pirrone, N.: Chasing quicksilver: modeling the atmospheric lifetime of Hg0(g) in the marine boundary layer at various latitudes, Environ. Sci. Technol., 38, 69–76, 2004.
Hedgecock, I. M. and Pirrone, N.: Modelling Chemical and Physical Processes of Hg Compounds in the Marine Boundary Layer, in: Dynamics of Mercury Pollution on Regional and Global Scales: Atmospheric Processes and Human Exposures Around the World, edited by: Pirrone, N. and Mahaffey, K. R., Springer US, Boston, MA, USA, 295–317, https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-24494-8_13, 2005.
Hedgecock, I. M., Pirrone, N., Sprovieri, F., and Pesenti, E.: Reactive gaseous mercury in the marine boundary layer: modelling and experimental evidence of its formation in the Mediterranean region, Atmos. Environ., 37, S41–S49, 2003.
Hess, M., Krieger, U. K., Marcolli, C., Huthwelker, T., Ammann, M., Lanford, W. A., and Peter, T.: Bromine enrichment in the near-surface region of Br-doped NaCl single crystals diagnosed by rutherford backscattering spectrometry, J. Phys. Chem. A, 111, 4312–4321, 2007.
Holmes, C. D., Jacob, D. J., and Yang, X.: Global lifetime of elemental mercury against oxidation by atomic bromine in the free troposphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L20808, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027176, 2006.
Holmes, C. D., Jacob, D. J., Mason, R. P., and Jaffe, D. A.: Sources and deposition of reactive gaseous mercury in the marine atmosphere, Atmos. Environ., 43, 2278–2285, 2009.
Holmes, C. D., Jacob, D. J., Corbitt, E. S., Mao, J., Yang, X., Talbot, R., and Slemr, F.: Global atmospheric model for mercury including oxidation by bromine atoms, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 12037–12057, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-12037-2010, 2010.
Huang, J. and Gustin, M. S.: Uncertainties of Gaseous Oxidized Mercury Measurements Using KCl-Coated Denuders, Cation-Exchange Membranes, and Nylon Membranes: Humidity Influences, Environ. Sci. Technol., 49, 6102–6108, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b00098, 2015.
Huang, J., Miller, M. B., Weiss-Penzias, P., and Gustin, M. S.: Comparison of gaseous oxidized Hg measured by KCl-coated denuders, and nylon and cation exchange membranes, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 7307–7316, 2013.
Jaffe, D. A., Lyman, S., Amos, H. M., Gustin, M. S., Huang, J., Selin, N. E., Levin, L., ter Schure, A., Mason, R. P., Talbot, R., Rutter, A., Finley, B., Jaeglé, L., Shah, V., McClure, C., Ambrose, J., Gratz, L., Lindberg, S., Weiss-Penzias, P., Sheu, G.-R., Feddersen, D., Horvat, M., Dastoor, A., Hynes, A. J., Mao, H., Sonke, J. E., Slemr, F., Fisher, J. A., Ebinghaus, R., Zhang, Y., and Edwards, G.: Progress on understanding atmospheric mercury hampered by uncertain measurements, Environ. Sci. Technol., 48, 7204–7206, https://doi.org/10.1021/es5026432, 2014.
Kim, P.-R., Han, Y.-J., Holsen, T. M., and Yi, S.-M.: Atmospheric particulate mercury: concentrations and size distributions, Atmos. Environ., 61, 94–102, 2012.
Kim, S. Y., Talbot, R., Mao, H., Blake, D. R., Huey, G., and Weinheimer, A. J.: Chemical transformations of Hg° during Arctic mercury depletion events sampled from the NASA DC-8, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 10, 10077–10112, https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-10-10077-2010, 2010.
Kutsher, J., Haikin, N., Sharon, A., and Heifetz, E.: On the formation of an elevated nocturnal inversion layer in the presence of a low-level jet: a case study, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 144, 441–449, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-012-9720-y, 2012.
Laskin, A., Moffet, R. C., Gilles, M. K., Fast, J. D., Zaveri, R. A., Wang, B., Nigge, P., and Shutthanandan, J.: Tropospheric chemistry of internally mixed sea salt and organic particles: surprising reactivity of NaCl with weak organic acids, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 117, D15302, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JD017743, 2012.
Laurier, F. and Mason, R.: Mercury concentration and speciation in the coastal and open ocean boundary layer, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 112, D06302, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007320, 2007.
Laurier, F. J. G., Mason, R. P., Whalin, L., and Kato, S.: Reactive gaseous mercury formation in the North Pacific Ocean's marine boundary layer: a potential role of halogen chemistry, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 108, ACH3-1–ACH3-12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD003625, 2003.
Lewis, E. R. and Schwartz, S. E.: Comment on “Size distribution of sea-salt emissions as a function of relative humidity,” Atmos. Environ., 40, 588–590, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.08.043, 2006.
Lin, C.-J. and Pehkonen, S. O.: Aqueous phase reactions of mercury with free radicals and chlorine: implications for atmospheric mercury chemistry, Chemosphere, 38, 1253–1263, 1999.
Lin, C.-J., Pongprueksa, P., Lindberg, S. E., Pehkonen, S. O., Byun, D., and Jang, C.: Scientific uncertainties in atmospheric mercury models I: Model science evaluation, Atmos. Environ., 40, 2911–2928, 2006.
Lindberg, S. E., Brooks, S., Lin, C.-J., Scott, K. J., Landis, M. S., Stevens, R. K., Goodsite, M., and Richter, A.: Dynamic oxidation of gaseous mercury in the arctic troposphere at polar sunrise, Environ. Sci. Technol., 36, 1245–1256, 2002.
Lyman, S. N., Jaffe, D. A., and Gustin, M. S.: Release of mercury halides from KCl denuders in the presence of ozone, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 8197–8204, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-8197-2010, 2010.
Madronich, S.: UV radiation in the natural and perturbed atmosphere, in: Environmental Effects of UV, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, available at: http://opensky.library.ucar.edu/collections/OSGC-000-000-020-698 (last access: 16 April 2015), 1993.
Mao, H. and Talbot, R.: O3 and CO in New England: temporal variations and relationships, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 109, D21304, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD004913, 2004.
Mao, H. and Talbot, R.: Speciated mercury at marine, coastal, and inland sites in New England – Part 1: Temporal variability, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 5099–5112, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-5099-2012, 2012.
Mao, H., Talbot, R. W., Sigler, J. M., Sive, B. C., and Hegarty, J. D.: Seasonal and diurnal variations of Hg° over New England, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 1403–1421, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-1403-2008, 2008.
Mao, H., Talbot, R., Hegarty, J., and Koermer, J.: Speciated mercury at marine, coastal, and inland sites in New England – Part 2: Relationships with atmospheric physical parameters, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 4181–4206, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-4181-2012, 2012.
Mason, R. P., Kim, E.-H., Cornwell, J., and Heyes, D.: An examination of the factors influencing the flux of mercury, methylmercury and other constituents from estuarine sediment, Mar. Chem., 102, 96–110, 2006.
McClure, C. D., Jaffe, D. A., and Edgerton, E. S.: Evaluation of the KCl Denuder Method for Gaseous Oxidized Mercury using HgBr2 at an In-Service AMNet Site, Environ. Sci. Technol., 48, 11437–11444, https://doi.org/10.1021/es502545k, 2014.
Miller, C. L., Mason, R. P., Gilmour, C. C., and Heyes, A.: Influence of dissolved organic matter on the complexation of mercury under sulfidic conditions, Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 26, 624–633, 2007.
Moldanová, J. and Ljungström, E.: Sea-salt aerosol chemistry in coastal areas: a model study, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 106, 1271–1296, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JD900462, 2001.
Obrist, D., Tas, E., Peleg, M., Matveev, V., Faïn, X., Asaf, D., and Luria, M.: Bromine-induced oxidation of mercury in the mid-latitude atmosphere, Nat. Geosci., 4, 22–26, 2011.
Pal, B. and Ariya, P. A.: Gas-phase HO-initiated reactions of elemental mercury: kinetics, product studies, and atmospheric implications, Environ. Sci. Technol., 38, 5555–5566, 2004a.
Pal, B. and Ariya, P. A.: Studies of ozone initiated reactions of gaseous mercury: kinetics, product studies, and atmospheric implications, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 6, 572–579, 2004b.
Pillai, P. S. and Moorthy, K. K.: Aerosol mass-size distributions at a tropical coastal environment: response to mesoscale and synoptic processes, Atmos. Environ., 35, 4099–4112, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00211-4, 2001.
Poissant, L., Pilote, M., Beauvais, C., Constant, P., and Zhang, H. H.: A year of continuous measurements of three atmospheric mercury species (GEM, RGM and Hgp) in southern Québec, Canada, Atmos. Environ., 39, 1275–1287, 2005.
Raofie, F. and Ariya, P. A.: Product study of the gas-phase BrO-initiated oxidation of Hg0: Evidence for stable Hg1+ compounds, Environ. Sci. Technol., 38, 4319–4326, 2004.
Rolfhus, K. R., Sakamoto, H. E., Cleckner, L. B., Stoor, R. W., Babiarz, C. L., Back, R. C., Manolopoulos, H., and Hurley, J. P.: Distribution and fluxes of total and methylmercury in Lake Superior, Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 865–872, 2003.
Rutter, A. P. and Schauer, J. J.: The impact of aerosol composition on the particle to gas partitioning of reactive mercury, Environ. Sci. Technol., 41, 3934–3939, https://doi.org/10.1021/es062439i, 2007.
Rutter, A. P., Shakya, K. M., Lehr, R., Schauer, J. J., and Griffin, R. J.: Oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury in the presence of secondary organic aerosols, Atmos. Environ., 59, 86–92, 2012.
Saiz-Lopez, A. and von Glasow, R.: Reactive halogen chemistry in the troposphere, Chem. Soc. Rev., 41, 6448–6472, https://doi.org/10.1039/C2CS35208G, 2012.
Saiz-Lopez, A., Shillito, J. A., Coe, H., and Plane, J. M. C.: Measurements and modelling of I2, IO, OIO, BrO and NO3 in the mid-latitude marine boundary layer, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 1513–1528, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-1513-2006, 2006.
Sander, R., Keene, W. C., Pszenny, A. A. P., Arimoto, R., Ayers, G. P., Baboukas, E., Cainey, J. M., Crutzen, P. J., Duce, R. A., Hönninger, G., Huebert, B. J., Maenhaut, W., Mihalopoulos, N., Turekian, V. C., and Van Dingenen, R.: Inorganic bromine in the marine boundary layer: a critical review, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 3, 1301–1336, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-3-1301-2003, 2003.
Sander, S. P., Abbatt, J., Barker, J. R., Burkholder, J. B., Friedl, R. R., Golden, D. M., Huie, R. E., Kolb, C. E., Kurylo, M. J., Moortgat, G. K., Orkin, V. L., and Wine, P. H.: Chemical Kinetics and Photochemical Data for Use in Atmospheric Studies, Evaluation No. 17, JPL Publication 10-6, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, USA, available at: http://jpldataeval.jpl.nasa.gov (last access: 1 July 2016), 2011.
Sandu, A. and Sander, R.: Technical note: Simulating chemical systems in Fortran90 and Matlab with the Kinetic PreProcessor KPP-2.1, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 187–195, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-187-2006, 2006.
Schroeder, W. H. and Munthe, J.: Atmospheric mercury – an overview, Atmos. Environ., 32, 809–822, 1998.
Schwartz, S. E.: Mass-transport considerations pertinent to aqueous phase reactions of gases in liquid-water clouds, in: Chemistry of Multiphase Atmospheric Systems, edited by: Jaeschke, D. W., Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, Germany, 415–471, available at: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-70627-1_16 (last access: 17 April 2015), 1986.
Selin, N. E., Javob, D. J., Park, R. J., Yantosca, R. M., Strode, S., Jaeglé, L., and Jaffe, D.: Chemical cycling and deposition of atmospheric mercury: global constraints from observations, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 112, D02308, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007450, 2007.
Seigneur, C., Wrobel, J., and Constantinou, E.: A chemical kinetic mechanism for atmospheric inorganic mercury, Environ. Sci. Technol., 28, 1589–1597, 1994.
Shon, Z.-H., Kim, K.-H., Kim, M.-Y., and Lee, M.: Modeling study of reactive gaseous mercury in the urban air, Atmos. Environ., 39, 749–761, 2005.
Sigler, J. M., Mao, H., and Talbot, R.: Gaseous elemental and reactive mercury in Southern New Hampshire, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 1929–1942, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-1929-2009, 2009.
Sillman, S., Marsik, F. J., Al-Wali, K. I., Keeler, G. J., and Landis, M. S.: Reactive mercury in the troposphere: model formation and results for Florida, the northeastern United States, and the Atlantic Ocean, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 112, D23305, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD008227, 2007.
Simpson, W. R., von Glasow, R., Riedel, K., Anderson, P., Ariya, P., Bottenheim, J., Burrows, J., Carpenter, L. J., Frieß, U., Goodsite, M. E., Heard, D., Hutterli, M., Jacobi, H.-W., Kaleschke, L., Neff, B., Plane, J., Platt, U., Richter, A., Roscoe, H., Sander, R., Shepson, P., Sodeau, J., Steffen, A., Wagner, T., and Wolff, E.: Halogens and their role in polar boundary-layer ozone depletion, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 7, 4375–4418, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-7-4375-2007, 2007.
Simpson, W. R., Brown, S. S., Saiz-Lopez, A., Thornton, J. A., and von Glasow, R.: Tropospheric halogen chemistry: sources, cycling, and impacts, Chem. Rev., 115, 4035–4062, https://doi.org/10.1021/cr5006638, 2015.
Snider, G., Raofie, F., and Ariya, P. A.: Effects of relative humidity and CO(g) on the O3-initiated oxidation reaction of HgO(g): kinetic and product studies, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 10, 5616–5623, 2008.
Soerensen, A. L., Sunderland, E. M., Holmes, C. D., Jacob, D. J., Yantosca, R. M., Skov, H., Christensen, J. H., Strode, S. A., and Mason, R. P.: An improved global model for air–sea exchange of mercury: high concentrations over the North Atlantic, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 8574–8580, 2010.
Steffen, A., Douglas, T., Amyot, M., Ariya, P., Aspmo, K., Berg, T., Bottenheim, J., Brooks, S., Cobbett, F., Dastoor, A., Dommergue, A., Ebinghaus, R., Ferrari, C., Gardfeldt, K., Goodsite, M. E., Lean, D., Poulain, A. J., Scherz, C., Skov, H., Sommar, J., and Temme, C.: A synthesis of atmospheric mercury depletion event chemistry in the atmosphere and snow, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 1445–1482, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-1445-2008, 2008.
Subir, M., Ariya, P. A., and Dastoor, A. P.: A review of uncertainties in atmospheric modeling of mercury chemistry I. Uncertainties in existing kinetic parameters – fundamental limitations and the importance of heterogeneous chemistry, Atmos. Environ., 45, 5664–5676, 2011.
Talbot, R., Mao, H., and Sive, B.: Diumal characteristics of surface level O3 and other important trace gases in New England, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D09307, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005449, 2005.
Tang, I. N., Tridico, A. C., and Fung, K. H.: Thermodynamic and optical properties of sea salt aerosols, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 102, 23269–23275, 1997.
Tokos, J. J. S., Hall, B., Calhoun, J. A., and Prestbo, E. M.: Homogeneous gas-phase reaction of HgO with H2O2, O3, CH3I, and (CH3)2S: implications for atmospheric Hg cycling, Atmos. Environ., 32, 823–827, 1998.
Toyota, K., McConnell, J. C., Staebler, R. M., and Dastoor, A. P.: Air–snowpack exchange of bromine, ozone and mercury in the springtime Arctic simulated by the 1-D model PHANTAS – Part 1: In-snow bromine activation and its impact on ozone, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 4101–4133, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-4101-2014, 2014.
University of New Hampshire: AIRMAP Observing Network program, available at: http://www.eos.unh.edu/observatories/data.shtml, last access: 8 July 2016.
Verwer, J. G., Spee, E. J., Blom, J. G., and Hundsdorfer, W.: Second-order Rosenbrock method applied to photochemical dispersion problems, SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 20, 1456–1480, 1999.
Wang, F., Saiz-Lopez, A., Mahajan, A. S., Gómez Martín, J. C., Armstrong, D., Lemes, M., Hay, T., and Prados-Roman, C.: Enhanced production of oxidised mercury over the tropical Pacific Ocean: a key missing oxidation pathway, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 1323–1335, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-1323-2014, 2014.
Weiss-Penzias, P., Jaffe, D. A., McClintick, A., Prestbo, E. M., and Landis, M. S.: Gaseous elemental mercury in the marine boundary layer: evidence for rapid removal in anthropogenic pollution, Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 3755–3763, 2003.
Xie, Z.-Q., Sander, R., Pöschl, U., and Slemr, F.: Simulation of atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) during polar springtime using the MECCA box model, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 7165–7180, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-7165-2008, 2008.
Zhang, L., Wright, L. P., and Blanchard, P.: A review of current knowledge concerning dry deposition of atmospheric mercury, Atmos. Environ., 43, 5853–5864, 2009.
Zhang, L., Blanchard, P., Gay, D. A., Prestbo, E. M., Risch, M. R., Johnson, D., Narayan, J., Zsolway, R., Holsen, T. M., Miller, E. K., Castro, M. S., Graydon, J. A., Louis, V. L. St., and Dalziel, J.: Estimation of speciated and total mercury dry deposition at monitoring locations in eastern and central North America, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 4327–4340, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-4327-2012, 2012.
Short summary
In this study, a state-of-the-art chemical mechanism was incorporated into a box model to investigate the atmospheric Hg cycling in different environments. As a result, for each of the three environments, GOM diurnal cycles of over half the selected cases were reasonably represented by the box model. A realistic model can be a powerful tool, providing important information on atmospheric Hg cycling and implications for policy makers.
In this study, a state-of-the-art chemical mechanism was incorporated into a box model to...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint