Articles | Volume 17, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1381-2017
© Author(s) 2017. 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-17-1381-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
30 Jan 2017
Research article |
| 30 Jan 2017
Potential sources and processes affecting speciated atmospheric mercury at Kejimkujik National Park, Canada: comparison of receptor models and data treatment methods
Xiaohong Xu
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of
Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
Yanyin Liao
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of
Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
Irene Cheng
Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch,
Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto,
Ontario, M3H 5T4, Canada
Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch,
Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto,
Ontario, M3H 5T4, Canada
Related authors
Xiaohong Xu, Tianchu Zhang, and Yushan Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 7335–7345, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7335-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7335-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates temporal variations and long-term trends in O3 (ozone) and its precursors in Windsor, Canada. During the 1996–2015 period, NOx (nitric oxides) and non-methane hydrocarbon concentrations decreased by 58 % and 61 %, respectively. Annual O3 concentrations increased by 33 % due to (1) decreased O3 titration owing to declining NOx concentrations, (2) reduced local photochemical production of O3 because of dwindling precursor emissions, and (3) increased background O3 level.
I. Cheng, X. Xu, and L. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7877–7895, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7877-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7877-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Current knowledge of receptor-based studies using speciated atmospheric mercury is reviewed and recommendations for future research needs are provided.
Irene Cheng, Amanda Cole, Leiming Zhang, and Alexandra Steffen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8591–8611, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8591-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8591-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model and observations, we showed that natural surface emission (wildfires and re-emitted Hg) dominated anthropogenic contributions to total gaseous mercury (TGM). Decreasing TGM was due to reduced shipping, local combustion, and regional emissions. Relative contributions from natural surface emissions increased by 0.3–1.8 % yr-1. Results showed Hg control measures have been effective, but greater attention is needed for monitoring surface re-emissions.
Anam M. Khan, Olivia E. Clifton, Jesse O. Bash, Sam Bland, Nathan Booth, Philip Cheung, Lisa Emberson, Johannes Flemming, Erick Fredj, Stefano Galmarini, Laurens Ganzeveld, Orestis Gazetas, Ignacio Goded, Christian Hogrefe, Christopher D. Holmes, László Horváth, Vincent Huijnen, Qian Li, Paul A. Makar, Ivan Mammarella, Giovanni Manca, J. William Munger, Juan L. Pérez-Camanyo, Jonathan Pleim, Limei Ran, Roberto San Jose, Donna Schwede, Sam J. Silva, Ralf Staebler, Shihan Sun, Amos P. K. Tai, Eran Tas, Timo Vesala, Tamás Weidinger, Zhiyong Wu, Leiming Zhang, and Paul C. Stoy
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8613–8635, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8613-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8613-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Vegetation removes tropospheric ozone through stomatal uptake, and accurately modeling the stomatal uptake of ozone is important for modeling dry deposition and air quality. We evaluated the stomatal component of ozone dry deposition modeled by atmospheric chemistry models at six sites. We find that models and observation-based estimates agree at times during the growing season at all sites, but some models overestimated the stomatal component during the dry summers at a seasonally dry site.
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.
Zihan Song, Leiming Zhang, Chongguo Tian, Qiang Fu, Zhenxing Shen, Renjian Zhang, Dong Liu, and Song Cui
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13101–13113, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13101-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13101-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A novel concept integrating crop cycle information into fire spot extraction was proposed. Spatiotemporal variations of open straw burning in Northeast China are revealed. Open straw burning in Northeast China emitted a total of 218 Tg of CO2-eq during 2001–2020. The policy of banning straw burning effectively reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Pierluigi Renan Guaita, Riccardo Marzuoli, Leiming Zhang, Steven Turnock, Gerbrand Koren, Oliver Wild, Paola Crippa, and Giacomo Alessandro Gerosa
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2573, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2573, 2024
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
This study assesses the global impact of tropospheric ozone on wheat crops in the 21st century under various climate scenarios. The research highlights that ozone damage to wheat varies by region and depends on both ozone levels and climate. Vulnerable regions include East Asia, Northern Europe, and the Southern and Eastern edges of the Tibetan Plateau. Our results emphasize the need of policies to reduce ozone levels and mitigate climate change to protect global food security.
Xiaohong Yao and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7773–7791, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7773-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7773-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates long-term trends of criteria air pollutants, including NO2, CO, SO2, O3 and PM2.5, and NO2+O3 measured in 10 Canadian cities during the last 2 to 3 decades. We also investigate associated driving forces in terms of emission reductions, perturbations from varying weather conditions and large-scale wildfires, as well as changes in O3 sources and sinks.
Juanjuan Qin, Leiming Zhang, Yuanyuan Qin, Shaoxuan Shi, Jingnan Li, Zhao Shu, Yuwei Gao, Ting Qi, Jihua Tan, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7575–7589, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7575-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7575-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The present research unveiled that acidity dominates while transition metal ions harmonize with the light absorption properties of humic-like substances (HULIS). Cu2+ has quenching effects on HULIS by complexation, hydrogen substitution, or electrostatic adsorption, with aromatic structures of HULIS. Such effects are less pronounced if from Mn2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. Oxidized HULIS might contain electron-donating groups, whereas N-containing compounds might contain electron-withdrawing groups.
Olivia E. Clifton, Donna Schwede, Christian Hogrefe, Jesse O. Bash, Sam Bland, Philip Cheung, Mhairi Coyle, Lisa Emberson, Johannes Flemming, Erick Fredj, Stefano Galmarini, Laurens Ganzeveld, Orestis Gazetas, Ignacio Goded, Christopher D. Holmes, László Horváth, Vincent Huijnen, Qian Li, Paul A. Makar, Ivan Mammarella, Giovanni Manca, J. William Munger, Juan L. Pérez-Camanyo, Jonathan Pleim, Limei Ran, Roberto San Jose, Sam J. Silva, Ralf Staebler, Shihan Sun, Amos P. K. Tai, Eran Tas, Timo Vesala, Tamás Weidinger, Zhiyong Wu, and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9911–9961, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9911-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9911-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A primary sink of air pollutants is dry deposition. Dry deposition estimates differ across the models used to simulate atmospheric chemistry. Here, we introduce an effort to examine dry deposition schemes from atmospheric chemistry models. We provide our approach’s rationale, document the schemes, and describe datasets used to drive and evaluate the schemes. We also launch the analysis of results by evaluating against observations and identifying the processes leading to model–model differences.
Yu Lin, Leiming Zhang, Qinchu Fan, He Meng, Yang Gao, Huiwang Gao, and Xiaohong Yao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 16073–16090, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-16073-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-16073-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we analyzed 7-year (from May 2014 to April 2021) concentration data of six criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, CO and SO2) as well as the sum of NO2 and O3 in six cities in South China. Three different analysis methods were used to identify emission-driven interannual variations and perturbations from varying weather conditions. In addition, a self-developed method was further introduced to constrain analysis uncertainties.
Irene Cheng, Leiming Zhang, Zhuanshi He, Hazel Cathcart, Daniel Houle, Amanda Cole, Jian Feng, Jason O'Brien, Anne Marie Macdonald, Julian Aherne, and Jeffrey Brook
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14631–14656, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14631-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14631-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition decreased significantly at 14 Canadian sites during 2000–2018. The greatest decline was observed in southeastern Canada owing to regional SO2 and NOx reductions. Wet deposition was more important than dry deposition, comprising 71–95 % of total N and 45–89 % of total S deposition. While critical loads (CLs) were exceeded at a few sites in the early 2000s, acidic deposition declined below CLs after 2012, which signifies recovery from legacy acidification.
Hui Zhang, Xuewu Fu, Ben Yu, Baoxin Li, Peng Liu, Guoqing Zhang, Leiming Zhang, and Xinbin Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 15847–15859, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15847-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15847-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Our observations of speciated atmospheric mercury at the Waliguan GAW Baseline Observatory show that concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM) were elevated compared to the Northern Hemisphere background. We propose that the major sources of GEM and PBM were mainly related to anthropogenic emissions and desert dust sources. This study highlights that dust-related sources played an important role in the variations of PBM in the Tibetan Plateau.
Zhiyong Wu, Leiming Zhang, John T. Walker, Paul A. Makar, Judith A. Perlinger, and Xuemei Wang
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 5093–5105, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5093-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5093-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A community dry deposition algorithm for modeling the gaseous dry deposition process in chemistry transport models was extended to include an additional 12 oxidized volatile organic compounds and hydrogen cyanide based on their physicochemical properties and was then evaluated using field flux measurements over a mixed forest. This study provides a useful tool that is needed in chemistry transport models with increasing complexity for simulating an important atmospheric process.
Katherine Hayden, Shao-Meng Li, Paul Makar, John Liggio, Samar G. Moussa, Ayodeji Akingunola, Robert McLaren, Ralf M. Staebler, Andrea Darlington, Jason O'Brien, Junhua Zhang, Mengistu Wolde, and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8377–8392, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8377-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8377-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a method using aircraft measurements to determine lifetimes with respect to dry deposition for oxidized sulfur and nitrogen compounds over the boreal forest in Alberta, Canada. Atmospheric lifetimes were significantly shorter than derived from chemical transport models with differences related to modelled dry deposition velocities. The shorter lifetimes suggest models need to reassess dry deposition treatment and predictions of sulfur and nitrogen in the atmosphere and ecosystems.
Xuewu Fu, Chen Liu, Hui Zhang, Yue Xu, Hui Zhang, Jun Li, Xiaopu Lyu, Gan Zhang, Hai Guo, Xun Wang, Leiming Zhang, and Xinbin Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6721–6734, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6721-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6721-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
TGM concentrations and isotopic compositions in 10 Chinese cities showed strong seasonality with higher TGM concentrations and Δ199Hg and lower δ202Hg in summer. We found the seasonal variations in TGM concentrations and isotopic compositions were highly related to regional surface Hg(0) emissions, suggesting land surface Hg(0) emissions are an important source of atmospheric TGM that contribute dominantly to the seasonal variations in TGM concentrations and isotopic compositions.
Xiaofei Qin, Leiming Zhang, Guochen Wang, Xiaohao Wang, Qingyan Fu, Jian Xu, Hao Li, Jia Chen, Qianbiao Zhao, Yanfen Lin, Juntao Huo, Fengwen Wang, Kan Huang, and Congrui Deng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 10985–10996, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-10985-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-10985-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The uncertainties in mercury emissions are much larger from natural sources than anthropogenic sources. A method was developed to quantify the contributions of natural surface emissions to ambient GEM based on PMF modeling. The annual GEM concentration in eastern China showed a decreasing trend from 2015 to 2018, while the relative contribution of natural surface emissions increased significantly from 41 % in 2015 to 57 % in 2018, gradually surpassing those from anthropogenic sources.
Xiaohong Yao and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 721–733, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-721-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-721-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
An innovative approach is developed to preprocess monitored wet deposition data of inorganic ions for generating their decadal trends. Differing from traditional approaches which directly apply annual or seasonal average data to trend analysis tools, the proposed new approach makes use of slopes of regression equations between a series of study years and a climatology (base) year in terms of monthly averaged data. The new approach yields more robust results than the traditional tools.
Jun Tao, Zhisheng Zhang, Yunfei Wu, Leiming Zhang, Zhijun Wu, Peng Cheng, Mei Li, Laiguo Chen, Renjian Zhang, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 8471–8490, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-8471-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-8471-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Mass-scattering efficiencies (MSE) of dominant chemical species in atmospheric aerosols are important parameters for building the relationships between chemical species and the particle-scattering coefficient. Particle MSE mainly depends on the mass fractions of (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, and organic matter and their MSEs in the droplet mode. MSEs of (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3 and organic matter were determined by their size distributions in the droplet mode.
Xiaohong Xu, Tianchu Zhang, and Yushan Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 7335–7345, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7335-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7335-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates temporal variations and long-term trends in O3 (ozone) and its precursors in Windsor, Canada. During the 1996–2015 period, NOx (nitric oxides) and non-methane hydrocarbon concentrations decreased by 58 % and 61 %, respectively. Annual O3 concentrations increased by 33 % due to (1) decreased O3 titration owing to declining NOx concentrations, (2) reduced local photochemical production of O3 because of dwindling precursor emissions, and (3) increased background O3 level.
Yang Chen, Mi Tian, Ru-Jin Huang, Guangming Shi, Huanbo Wang, Chao Peng, Junji Cao, Qiyuan Wang, Shumin Zhang, Dongmei Guo, Leiming Zhang, and Fumo Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3245–3255, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3245-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3245-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Amine-containing particles were characterized in an urban area of Chongqing during both summer and winter using a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS). Amines were observed to internally mix with elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), sulfate, and nitrate. Diethylamine (DEA) was the most abundant in both number and peak area among amine-containing particles. Vegetation and traffic were the primary sources of particulate amines.
Xin Qiu, Irene Cheng, Fuquan Yang, Erin Horb, Leiming Zhang, and Tom Harner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 3457–3467, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3457-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3457-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We developed emissions databases for polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the Athabasca oil sands region and evaluated the emissions databases by comparing CALPUFF-modelled concentrations with monitored data. Model–measurement agreement improved near oil sands mines due to updated PAC emissions from tailings ponds. Modelled concentrations were underestimated at remote sites and for alkylated PACs suggesting that the emissions of PACs particularly alkylated compounds are underestimated.
Cynthia H. Whaley, Paul A. Makar, Mark W. Shephard, Leiming Zhang, Junhua Zhang, Qiong Zheng, Ayodeji Akingunola, Gregory R. Wentworth, Jennifer G. Murphy, Shailesh K. Kharol, and Karen E. Cady-Pereira
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 2011–2034, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-2011-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-2011-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Using a modified air quality forecasting model, we have found that a significant fraction (> 50 %) of ambient ammonia comes from re-emission from plants and soils in the broader Athabasca Oil Sands region and much of Alberta and Saskatchewan. We also found that about 20 % of ambient ammonia in Alberta and Saskatchewan came from forest fires in the summer of 2013. The addition of these two processes improved modelled ammonia, which was a motivating factor in undertaking this research.
Huanbo Wang, Mi Tian, Yang Chen, Guangming Shi, Yuan Liu, Fumo Yang, Leiming Zhang, Liqun Deng, Jiayan Yu, Chao Peng, and Xuyao Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 865–881, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-865-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-865-2018, 2018
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.
Jun Tao, Leiming Zhang, Junji Cao, and Renjian Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9485–9518, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9485-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9485-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, studies on PM2.5 chemical composition, source apportionment and its impact on aerosol optical properties across China are thoroughly reviewed, and historical emission control policies in China and their effectiveness in reducing PM2.5 are discussed.
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.
Yunfei Wu, Xiaojia Wang, Jun Tao, Rujin Huang, Ping Tian, Junji Cao, Leiming Zhang, Kin-Fai Ho, Zhiwei Han, and Renjian Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 7965–7975, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7965-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7965-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
As black carbon (BC) aerosols play an important role in the climate and environment, the size distribution of refractory BC (rBC) was investigated. On this basis, the source of rBC was further analyzed. The local traffic exhausts contributed greatly to the rBC in urban areas. However, its contribution decreased significantly in the polluted period compared to the clean period, implying the increasing contribution of other sources, e.g., coal combustion or biomass burning, in the polluted period.
Irene Cheng and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 4711–4730, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4711-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4711-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Geographical and long-term (1983–2011) trends in air concentrations and wet deposition of inorganic ions and aerosol and precipitation acidity were analyzed at 31 sites in Canada. Declines in atmospheric ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate were consistent with decreasing emissions of NH3, NOx, and SO2. A decline in nitrate and sulfate wet deposition was also observed. Wet scavenging was further studied by estimating scavenging ratios and relative contributions of gases and aerosols to wet deposition.
L. Paige Wright, Leiming Zhang, and Frank J. Marsik
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13399–13416, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13399-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13399-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The current knowledge concerning mercury dry deposition is reviewed, including dry deposition algorithms used in chemical transport models and at monitoring sites, measurement methods and studies for quantifying dry deposition of oxidized mercury, and measurement studies of litterfall and throughfall mercury. Over all the regions, dry deposition, estimated as the sum of litterfall and throughfall minus open-field wet deposition, is more dominant than wet deposition for Hg deposition.
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.
Xiaohong Yao and Leiming Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 11465–11475, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11465-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11465-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric NH3 plays an important role in forming secondary aerosols and has a direct impact on sensitive ecosystems. This study aims to study its long-term variation and find that the long-term trend can be affected by climate change as well as other anthropogenic factors, depending on sites. A large percentage increase of atmospheric NH3 at remote American sites is surprising and may cause a potential threat to sensitive ecosystems in the future.
Xiaodong Zhang, Tao Huang, Leiming Zhang, Yanjie Shen, Yuan Zhao, Hong Gao, Xiaoxuan Mao, Chenhui Jia, and Jianmin Ma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 6949–6960, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6949-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6949-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This paper assesses long-term trend of biogenic isoprene emissions in the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, also known as "the Green Great Wall", the largest artificial afforestation in the human history. Results show that the TNRSF has altered the long-term emission trend in north China from a decreasing to an increasing trend from 1982 to 2010. Isoprene emission fluxes have increased in many places of the TNRSF over the last 3 decades due to the growing trees and vegetation coverage.
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
C. G. Nolte, K. W. Appel, J. T. Kelly, P. V. Bhave, K. M. Fahey, J. L. Collett Jr., L. Zhang, and J. O. Young
Geosci. Model Dev., 8, 2877–2892, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-2877-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-2877-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This study is the most comprehensive evaluation of CMAQ inorganic
aerosol size-composition distributions conducted to date. We compare two
methods of inferring PM2.5 concentrations from the model: (1) based on
the sum of the masses in the fine aerosol modes, as is most commonly
done in CMAQ model evaluation; and (2) computed using the simulated size
distributions. Differences are generally less than 1 microgram/m3, and
are largest over the eastern USA during the summer.
I. Cheng, X. Xu, and L. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7877–7895, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7877-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7877-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Current knowledge of receptor-based studies using speciated atmospheric mercury is reviewed and recommendations for future research needs are provided.
Z. Y. Wu, L. Zhang, X. M. Wang, and J. W. Munger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7487–7496, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7487-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7487-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we have developed a modified micrometeorological gradient method (MGM), although based on existing micrometeorological theory, to estimate O3 dry deposition fluxes over a forest canopy using concentration gradients between a level above and a level below the canopy top. The new method provides an alternative approach in monitoring/estimating long-term deposition fluxes of similar pollutants over tall canopies and is expected to be useful for the scientific community.
L. Zhang, I. Cheng, D. Muir, and J.-P. Charland
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1421–1434, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1421-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1421-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This study analyzed air and precipitation concentrations of 43 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) collected in the Athabasca oil sands region. A database has been built for the parameter scavenging ratio, which is defined as the ratio of the concentration of PACs in precipitation to that in air. A better understanding of the potential differences between gas and particulate scavenging and between snow and rain scavenging has been achieved.
J. Tao, J. Gao, L. Zhang, R. Zhang, H. Che, Z. Zhang, Z. Lin, J. Jing, J. Cao, and S.-C. Hsu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 8679–8699, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-8679-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-8679-2014, 2014
Z. J. Lin, Z. S. Zhang, L. Zhang, J. Tao, R. J. Zhang, J. J. Cao, S. J. Fan, and Y. H. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 7631–7644, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7631-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7631-2014, 2014
D. Wen, L. Zhang, J. C. Lin, R. Vet, and M. D. Moran
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 1037–1050, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-1037-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-1037-2014, 2014
X. Wang, L. Zhang, and M. D. Moran
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 799–819, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-799-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-799-2014, 2014
L. Zhang and Z. He
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 3729–3737, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-3729-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-3729-2014, 2014
X. H. Yao and L. Zhang
Biogeosciences, 10, 7913–7925, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-7913-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-7913-2013, 2013
S. Chen, X. Qiu, L. Zhang, F. Yang, and P. Blanchard
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 11287–11293, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11287-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11287-2013, 2013
L. Zhang, X. Wang, M. D. Moran, and J. Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 10005–10025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10005-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10005-2013, 2013
I. Cheng, L. Zhang, P. Blanchard, J. Dalziel, and R. Tordon
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 6031–6048, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-6031-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-6031-2013, 2013
G. Kos, A. Ryzhkov, A. Dastoor, J. Narayan, A. Steffen, P. A. Ariya, and L. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 4839–4863, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-4839-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-4839-2013, 2013
D. Wen, J. C. Lin, L. Zhang, R. Vet, and M. D. Moran
Geosci. Model Dev., 6, 327–344, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-6-327-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-6-327-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Gases | Research Activity: Field Measurements | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Chemistry (chemical composition and reactions)
Hemispheric differences in ozone across the stratosphere–troposphere exchange region
Observation and modeling of atmospheric OH and HO2∗ radicals at a subtropical rural site and implications for secondary pollutants
Tracing elevated abundance of CH2Cl2 in the subarctic upper troposphere to the Asian Summer Monsoon
Carbonyl compounds from typical combustion sources: emission characteristics, influencing factors, and their contribution to ozone formation
Formation drivers and photochemical effects of ClNO2 in a coastal city of Southeast China
Significant influence of oxygenated volatile organic compounds on atmospheric chemistry: a case study in a typical industrial city in China
Global ground-based tropospheric ozone measurements: reference data and individual site trends (2000–2022) from the TOAR-II/HEGIFTOM project
Understanding summertime H2O2 chemistry in the North China Plain through observations and modeling studies
Volatile organic compound sources and impacts in an urban Mediterranean area (Marseille, France)
Short-lived organic nitrates in a suburban temperate forest: an indication of efficient assimilation of reactive nitrogen by the biosphere?
Spatiotemporal variations in atmospheric CH4 concentrations and enhancements in northern China based on a comprehensive dataset: ground-based observations, TROPOMI data, inventory data, and inversions
Marine emissions and trade winds control the atmospheric nitrous oxide in the Galapagos Islands
Measurement report: A complex street-level air quality observation campaign in a heavy-traffic area utilizing the multivariate adaptive regression splines method for field calibration of low-cost sensors
The impact of organic nitrates on summer ozone formation in Shanghai, China
Differences in the key volatile organic compound species between their emitted and ambient concentrations in ozone formation
Tracing Ammonia Emission Sources in California's Salton Sea Region: Insights from Airborne Longwave-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging and Ground Monitoring
Mechanistic insights into chloroacetic acid production from atmospheric multiphase volatile organic compound–chlorine chemistry
Accurate elucidation of oxidation under heavy ozone pollution: a full suite of radical measurements in the chemically complex atmosphere
Isotopic signatures of methane emission from oil and natural gas plants in southwestern China
Emissions of intermediate-volatility and semi-volatile organic compounds (I/SVOCs) from different cumulative-mileage diesel vehicles at various ambient temperatures
Characterization of nitrous acid and its potential effects on secondary pollution in the warm season in Beijing urban areas
Vertical changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and impacts on photochemical ozone formation
Airborne quantification of Angolan offshore oil and gas methane emissions
Diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variations in δ(18O) of atmospheric O2 and its application to evaluate natural and anthropogenic changes in oxygen, carbon, and water cycles
Cloud processing of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) oxidation products limits sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbonyl sulfide (OCS) production in the eastern North Atlantic marine boundary layer
Atmospheric carbonyl compounds are crucial in regional ozone heavy pollution: insights from the Chengdu Plain Urban Agglomeration, China
Evaluating urban methane emissions and their attributes in a megacity, Osaka, Japan, via mobile and eddy covariance measurements
Tropical Ozone Trends (1998 to 2023): A Synthesis from SHADOZ, IAGOS and OMI/MLS Observations
Ozone (O3) observations in Saxony, Germany for 1997–2020: Trends, modelling and implications for O3 control
Understanding summertime peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) formation and its relation to aerosol pollution: insights from high-resolution measurements and modeling
Measurement report: Exploring the variations in ambient BTEX in urban Europe and their environmental health implications
Seasonal air concentration variability, gas–particle partitioning, precipitation scavenging, and air–water equilibrium of organophosphate esters in southern Canada
Measurement report: Surface exchange fluxes of HONO during the growth process of paddy fields in the Huaihe River Basin, China
Molecular and seasonal characteristics of organic vapors in urban Beijing: insights from Vocus-PTR measurements
BVOC and speciated monoterpene concentrations and fluxes at a Scandinavian boreal forest
The variations in volatile organic compounds based on the policy change for Omicron in the traffic hub of Zhengzhou
On the dynamics of ozone depletion events at Villum Research Station in the High Arctic
Measurement report: Long-term measurements of surface ozone and trends in semi-natural sub-Saharan African ecosystems
Characterization of biogenic volatile organic compounds and their oxidation products in a stressed spruce-dominated forest close to a biogas power plant
Reactive chlorine-, sulfur-, and nitrogen-containing volatile organic compounds impact atmospheric chemistry in the megacity of Delhi during both clean and extremely polluted seasons
Analysis of the day-to-day variability of ozone vertical profiles in the lower troposphere during the 2022 Paris ACROSS campaign
Ozone deposition measurements over wheat fields in the North China Plain: variability and related factors of deposition flux and velocity
Consistency evaluation of tropospheric ozone from ozonesonde and IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System) observations: vertical distribution, ozonesonde types, and station–airport distance
CO2 and CO temporal variability over Mexico City from ground-based total column and surface measurements
Investigating carbonyl compounds above the Amazon rainforest using a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) with NO+ chemical ionization
Measurement report: In-flight and ground-based measurements of nitrogen oxide emissions from latest-generation jet engines and 100 % sustainable aviation fuel
Measurement report: Sources, sinks, and lifetime of NOx in a suburban temperate forest at night
Measurement report: Urban ammonia and amines in Houston, Texas
Biomass-burning sources control ambient particulate matter, but traffic and industrial sources control volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and secondary-pollutant formation during extreme pollution events in Delhi
Multi-year observations of variable incomplete combustion in the New York megacity
Rodrigo J. Seguel, Charlie Opazo, Yann Cohen, Owen R. Cooper, Laura Gallardo, Björn-Martin Sinnhuber, Florian Obersteiner, Andreas Zahn, Peter Hoor, Susanne Rohs, and Andreas Marsing
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8553–8573, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8553-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8553-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We explored ozone differences between the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemispheres in the upper troposphere–lower stratosphere. We found lower ozone (with stratospheric origin) in the Southern Hemisphere, especially during years of severe ozone depletion. Sudden stratospheric warming events increased the ozone in each hemisphere, highlighting the relationship between stratospheric processes and ozone in the upper troposphere, where ozone is an important greenhouse gas.
Zhouxing Zou, Tianshu Chen, Qianjie Chen, Weihang Sun, Shichun Han, Zhuoyue Ren, Xinyi Li, Wei Song, Aoqi Ge, Qi Wang, Xiao Tian, Chenglei Pei, Xinming Wang, Yanli Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8147–8161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8147-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8147-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We measured ambient OH and HO2* (HO2 and contribution from RO2, organic peroxyl radicals) concentrations at a subtropical rural site and compared our observations with model results. During warm periods, the model overestimated concentrations of OH and HO2, leading to overestimation of ozone and nitric acid production. Our findings highlight the need to better understand how OH and HO2 are formed and removed, which is important for accurate air quality and climate predictions.
Markus Jesswein, Valentin Lauther, Nicolas Emig, Peter Hoor, Timo Keber, Hans-Christoph Lachnitt, Linda Ort, Tanja Schuck, Johannes Strobel, Ronja Van Luijt, C. Michael Volk, Franziska Weyland, and Andreas Engel
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8107–8126, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8107-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8107-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The study investigates transport within the Asian Summer Monsoon, focusing on how CH2Cl2 reaches the subarctic tropopause region. Using data from the PHILEAS campaign in 2023, events with increased mixing ratios were detected. Their origin, the transport paths to the tropopause region, and the potential entry into the stratosphere were analyzed. The East Asian Summer Monsoon was identified as the main transport pathway, with only a small contribution to the stratosphere in the following days.
Yanjie Lu, Xinxin Feng, Yanli Feng, Minjun Jiang, Yu Peng, Tian Chen, and Yingjun Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8043–8059, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8043-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8043-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Through lab tests and field measurements from typical sources, we found that carbonyl compounds from biomass burning are an order of magnitude higher than those from vehicles. The formation of carbonyl compounds in solid and liquid fuel is governed by combustion temperature and emission standards, respectively. Fuel type determines the chemical composition. Biomass burning and farm machinery are key drivers of atmospheric oxidation capacity. This study provides actionable solutions to safeguard public health.
Gaojie Chen, Xiaolong Fan, Haichao Wang, Yee Jun Tham, Ziyi Lin, Xiaoting Ji, Lingling Xu, Baoye Hu, and Jinsheng Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7815–7828, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7815-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7815-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study revealed that the nighttime heterogeneous dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) uptake process was the major contributor of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) sources, while nitrate photolysis may promote the elevation of daytime ClNO2 concentrations. The rates of alkane oxidation by chlorine (Cl) radical in the early morning exceeded those by OH radical, significantly promoted the formation of ROx and ozone (O3), and further enhanced the atmospheric oxidation capacity levels.
Jingwen Dai, Kun Zhang, Yanli Feng, Xin Yi, Rui Li, Jin Xue, Qing Li, Lishu Shi, Jiaqiang Liao, Yanan Yi, Fangting Wang, Liumei Yang, Hui Chen, Ling Huang, Jiani Tan, Yangjun Wang, and Li Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7467–7484, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7467-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7467-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) are important ozone (O3) precursors. However, most O3 formation analysis based on the box model (OBM) does not include any OVOC constraint. To access the interference of OVOCs with O3 simulation, this study presents results from a field campaign and OBM analysis. Our results indicate that no OVOC constraint in the OBM can lead to overestimation of OVOCs, free radicals, and O3.
Roeland Van Malderen, Anne M. Thompson, Debra E. Kollonige, Ryan M. Stauffer, Herman G. J. Smit, Eliane Maillard Barras, Corinne Vigouroux, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Thierry Leblanc, Valérie Thouret, Pawel Wolff, Peter Effertz, David W. Tarasick, Deniz Poyraz, Gérard Ancellet, Marie-Renée De Backer, Stéphanie Evan, Victoria Flood, Matthias M. Frey, James W. Hannigan, José L. Hernandez, Marco Iarlori, Bryan J. Johnson, Nicholas Jones, Rigel Kivi, Emmanuel Mahieu, Glen McConville, Katrin Müller, Tomoo Nagahama, Justus Notholt, Ankie Piters, Natalia Prats, Richard Querel, Dan Smale, Wolfgang Steinbrecht, Kimberly Strong, and Ralf Sussmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7187–7225, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7187-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7187-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric ozone is an important greenhouse gas and is an air pollutant. The time variability of tropospheric ozone is mainly driven by anthropogenic emissions. In this paper, we study the distribution and time variability of ozone from harmonized ground-based observations from five different measurement techniques. Our findings provide clear standard references for atmospheric models and evolving tropospheric ozone satellite data for the 2000–2022 period.
Can Ye, Pengfei Liu, Chaoyang Xue, Chenglong Zhang, Zhuobiao Ma, Chengtang Liu, Junfeng Liu, Keding Lu, Yujing Mu, and Yuanhang Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6991–7005, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6991-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6991-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates H2O2 chemistry in rural North China. The observed H2O2 showed distinct diurnal variations influenced by photochemical reactions. A box model revealed that H2O2 is primarily produced by HO2 recombination and removed mainly via particle uptake. Reductions in NOx, PM2.5, and alkanes raised H2O2 levels, while cutting alkenes, aromatics, CO, and HONO lowered them. A dual strategy focusing on VOC and NOx control is essential to reduce both H2O2 and ozone pollution.
Marvin Dufresne, Thérèse Salameh, Thierry Leonardis, Grégory Gille, Alexandre Armengaud, and Stéphane Sauvage
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5977–5999, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5977-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5977-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper discusses the 18-month-long measurement of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in Marseille, where there was no measurement since early 2000, despite the impact of NMHCs on air quality and climate. Traffic-related sources are the largest contributor to NMHC concentrations in Marseille, and shipping strongly contributes to the formation of aerosols. Finally, the Covid-19 lockdown had an impact on NMHC concentrations, reaching a 50 % decrease for traffic-related sources.
Simone T. Andersen, Rolf Sander, Patrick Dewald, Laura Wüst, Tobias Seubert, Gunther N. T. E. Türk, Jan Schuladen, Max R. McGillen, Chaoyang Xue, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Alexandre Kukui, Vincent Michoud, Manuela Cirtog, Mathieu Cazaunau, Astrid Bauville, Hichem Bouzidi, Paola Formenti, Cyrielle Denjean, Jean-Claude Etienne, Olivier Garrouste, Christopher Cantrell, Jos Lelieveld, and John N. Crowley
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5893–5909, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5893-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5893-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Measurements and modelling of reactive nitrogen gases observed in a suburban temperate forest in Rambouillet, France, circa 50 km southwest of Paris in 2022 indicate that the biosphere rapidly scavenges organic nitrates of mixed biogenic and anthropogenic origin, resulting in short lifetimes for, for example, alkyl nitrates and peroxy nitrates.
Pengfei Han, Ning Zeng, Bo Yao, Wen Zhang, Weijun Quan, Pucai Wang, Ting Wang, Minqiang Zhou, Qixiang Cai, Yuzhong Zhang, Ruosi Liang, Wanqi Sun, and Shengxiang Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4965–4988, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4965-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4965-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas. Northern China contributes a large proportion of CH4 emissions, yet large observation gaps exist. Here we compiled a comprehensive dataset, which is publicly available, that includes ground-based, satellite-based, inventory, and modeling results to show the CH4 concentrations, enhancements, and spatial–temporal variations. The data can benefit the research community and policy-makers for future observations, atmospheric inversions, and policy-making.
Timur Cinay, Dickon Young, Nazaret Narváez Jimenez, Cristina Vintimilla-Palacios, Ariel Pila Alonso, Paul B. Krummel, William Vizuete, and Andrew R. Babbin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4703–4718, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4703-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4703-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present the initial 15 months of nitrous oxide measurements from the Galapagos Emissions Monitoring Station. The observed variability in atmospheric mole fractions during this period can be linked to several factors: seasonal variations in trade wind speed and direction across the eastern Pacific, differences in the transport history of air masses sampled, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity in regional marine nitrous oxide emissions from the coastal upwelling systems of Peru and Chile.
Petra Bauerová, Josef Keder, Adriana Šindelářová, Ondřej Vlček, William Patiño, Pavel Krč, Jan Geletič, Hynek Řezníček, Martin Bureš, Kryštof Eben, Michal Belda, Jelena Radović, Vladimír Fuka, Radek Jareš, Igor Esau, and Jaroslav Resler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4477–4504, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4477-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4477-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The study explored urban air quality in Prague using low-cost sensors and highlighted the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) correction method's effectiveness in enhancing accuracy. Results showed traffic's impact on nitrogen dioxide levels and atmospheric dynamics on particulate matter. The research confirmed MARS-corrected sensors as cost-effective for monitoring, despite challenges like sensor ageing and data quality control.
Chunmeng Li, Xiaorui Chen, Haichao Wang, Tianyu Zhai, Xuefei Ma, Xinping Yang, Shiyi Chen, Min Zhou, Shengrong Lou, Xin Li, Limin Zeng, and Keding Lu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3905–3918, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3905-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3905-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study reports an observation of organic nitrate (including total peroxy nitrates and total alkyl nitrates) in Shanghai, China, during the summer of 2021, by homemade thermal dissociation cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (TD-CEAS; Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4033–4051, 2021). The distribution of organic nitrates and their effects on local ozone production are analyzed based on field observations in conjunction with model simulations.
Xudong Zheng and Shaodong Xie
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3807–3820, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3807-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3807-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
To reduce uncertainties in identifying the key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ozone (O3) formation from ambient concentrations, this study comprehensively calculates the emitted VOC concentrations during both nighttime and daytime using the nitrate radical, O3, and hydroxyl radical reaction rates and ambient VOC concentrations. Based on the emitted concentrations, isoprene is one of the top three species contributing to O3 formation, which may be overlooked in observed concentrations.
Sina Hasheminassab, David M. Tratt, Olga V. Kalashnikova, Clement S. Chang, Morad Alvarez, Kerry N. Buckland, Michael J. Garay, Francesca M. Hopkins, Eric R. Keim, Le Kuai, Yaning Miao, Payam Pakbin, William C. Porter, and Mohammad H. Sowlat
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1378, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1378, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ammonia (NH3) is a key air pollutant linked to fine particle pollution, yet its sources remain poorly understood. Using airborne infrared imaging and ground sensors, we mapped NH3 emissions in California’s Salton Sea region with unprecedented detail. We found high emissions from farms, geothermal plants, and waste sites, including sources missing from inventories. These findings highlight the need for better NH3 monitoring to improve air quality models and guide pollution reduction strategies.
Mingxue Li, Men Xia, Chunshui Lin, Yifan Jiang, Weihang Sun, Yurun Wang, Yingnan Zhang, Maoxia He, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3753–3764, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3753-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3753-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our field campaigns observed a strong diel pattern of chloroacetic acid as well as a strong correlation between its level and that of reactive chlorine species at a coastal site. Using quantum chemical calculations and box model simulation with an updated Master Chemical Mechanism, we found that the formation pathway of chloroacetic acid involved multiphase processes. Our study enhances understanding of atmospheric organic chlorine chemistry and emphasizes the importance of multiphase reactions.
Renzhi Hu, Guoxian Zhang, Haotian Cai, Jingyi Guo, Keding Lu, Xin Li, Shengrong Lou, Zhaofeng Tan, Changjin Hu, Pinhua Xie, and Wenqing Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3011–3028, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3011-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3011-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A full suite of radical measurements (OH, HO2, RO2, and kOH) was established to accurately elucidate the limitations of oxidation in a chemically complex atmosphere. Sensitivity tests revealed that the incorporation of complex processes enabled a balance in both radical concentrations and coordinate ratios, effectively addressing the deficiency in the ozone generation mechanism. The full-chain radical detection bridged the gap between the photochemistry and the intensive oxidation level.
Dingxi Chen, Yi Liu, Zetong Niu, Ao Wang, Pius Otwil, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhongcong Sun, Xiaobing Pang, Liyang Zhan, and Longfei Yu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-377, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-377, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We carried out studies at 11 oil and gas sites in Southwest China (an important natural gas production area), investigating the methane concentration distribution pattern and emission inventory of oil and gas industrial sites through a combination of ground monitoring and drone airborne monitoring techniques, and at the same time, utilizing stable isotope techniques to trace back the methane from the oil and gas sites.
Shuwen Guo, Xuan Zheng, Xiao He, Lewei Zeng, Liqiang He, Xian Wu, Yifei Dai, Zihao Huang, Ting Chen, Shupei Xiao, Yan You, Sheng Xiang, Shaojun Zhang, Jingkun Jiang, and Ye Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2695–2705, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2695-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2695-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We considered two potential influencing factors of heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions that are rarely mentioned in the literature: cumulative mileage and ambient temperatures. The results suggest that prolonged use of heavy-duty diesel vehicles and low ambient temperatures leads to reduced engine combustion efficiency, which in turn increases tailpipe emissions significantly.
Junling Li, Chaofan Lian, Mingyuan Liu, Hao Zhang, Yongxin Yan, Yufei Song, Chun Chen, Jiaqi Wang, Haijie Zhang, Yanqin Ren, Yucong Guo, Weigang Wang, Yisheng Xu, Hong Li, Jian Gao, and Maofa Ge
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2551–2568, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2551-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2551-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
As a key source of hydroxyl (OH) radical, nitrous acid (HONO) has attracted much attention for its important role in the atmospheric oxidant capacity (AOC) increase. In this study, we made a comparison of the ambient levels, variation patterns, sources, and formation pathway in the warm season on the basis of continuous intensive observations at an urban site of Beijing. This work highlights the importance of HONO for the AOC in the warm season.
Xiao-Bing Li, Bin Yuan, Yibo Huangfu, Suxia Yang, Xin Song, Jipeng Qi, Xianjun He, Sihang Wang, Yubin Chen, Qing Yang, Yongxin Song, Yuwen Peng, Guiqian Tang, Jian Gao, Dasa Gu, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2459–2472, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2459-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2459-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Online vertical gradient measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, and NOx were conducted based on a 325 m tall tower in urban Beijing. Vertical changes in the concentrations, compositions, key drivers, and environmental impacts of VOCs were analyzed in this study. We find that VOC species display differentiated vertical variation patterns and distinct roles in contributing to photochemical ozone formation with increasing height in the urban planetary boundary layer.
Alina Fiehn, Maximilian Eckl, Magdalena Pühl, Tiziana Bräuer, Klaus-Dirk Gottschaldt, Heinfried Aufmhoff, Lisa Eirenschmalz, Gregor Neumann, Felicitas Sakellariou, Daniel Sauer, Robert Baumann, Guilherme De Aguiar Ventura, Winne Nayole Cadete, Dário Luciano Zua, Manuel Xavier, Paulo Correia, and Anke Roiger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-635, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-635, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In September 2022, the METHANE-To-Go Africa (MTGA) campaign, part of UNEP’s IMEO Methane Science Studies, conducted the first CH₄ emissions measurements from West Africa’s offshore oil and gas sector. Using an aircraft-based mass balance method, emissions from Angolan offshore facilities were quantified. Older, low-producing facilities showed higher emissions than newer ones. High-emission events were observed, highlighting the need for targeted monitoring and mitigation efforts.
Shigeyuki Ishidoya, Satoshi Sugawara, and Atsushi Okazaki
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1965–1987, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1965-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1965-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The 18O/16O ratio of atmospheric oxygen, δatm(18O), is higher than that of ocean water due to isotopic effects during biospheric activities. This is known as the Dole–Morita effect, and its millennial-scale variations are recorded in ice cores. However, small variations of δatm(18O) in the present day have never been detected so far. This paper presents the first observations of diurnal, seasonal, and secular variations in δatm(18O) and applies them to evaluate oxygen, carbon, and water cycles.
Delaney B. Kilgour, Christopher M. Jernigan, Olga Garmash, Sneha Aggarwal, Shengqian Zhou, Claudia Mohr, Matt E. Salter, Joel A. Thornton, Jian Wang, Paul Zieger, and Timothy H. Bertram
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1931–1947, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1931-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1931-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We report simultaneous measurements of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and hydroperoxymethyl thioformate (HPMTF) in the eastern North Atlantic. We use an observationally constrained box model to show that cloud loss is the dominant sink of HPMTF in this region over 6 weeks, resulting in large reductions in DMS-derived products that contribute to aerosol formation and growth. Our findings indicate that fast cloud processing of HPMTF must be included in global models to accurately capture the sulfur cycle.
Jiemeng Bao, Xin Zhang, Zhenhai Wu, Li Zhou, Jun Qian, Qinwen Tan, Fumo Yang, Junhui Chen, Yunfeng Li, Hefan Liu, Liqun Deng, and Hong Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1899–1916, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1899-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1899-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied carbonyl compounds' role in ozone pollution in the Chengdu Plain Urban Agglomeration, China. During heavy pollution in August 2019, we measured carbonyls at nine sites and analyzed their impact. Areas with higher carbonyl levels, like Chengdu, had worse ozone pollution. While their abundance matters, chemical reactions with other pollutants are the main drivers. Our findings show regional cooperation is vital to reducing ozone pollution effectively.
Masahito Ueyama, Taku Umezawa, Yukio Terao, Mark Lunt, and James Lawrence France
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3926, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3926, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Methane (CH4) emissions were measured in Megacity Osaka, Japan, using mobile and eddy covariance methods. The CH4 emissions were much higher than those reported in local inventories, with natural gas contributing up to 74 % of the emissions. Several CH4 sources not accounted for in current inventories were identified. These results emphasize the need for more comprehensive emissions tracking in urban areas to enhance climate change mitigation efforts.
Anne M. Thompson, Ryan M. Stauffer, Debra E. Kollonige, Jerald R. Ziemke, Maria Cazorla, Pawel Wolff, and Bastien Sauvage
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3761, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3761, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper uses tropical ozone profiles from balloon borne instruments and aircraft to show that ozone in the free troposphere is not growing fast except over equatorial SE Asia.
Yaru Wang, Dominik van Pinxteren, Andreas Tilgner, Erik Hans Hoffmann, Max Hell, Susanne Bastian, and Hartmut Herrmann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4202, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4202, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric ground-level ozone (O3) is a global air-quality pollutant and greenhouse gas. Long-term O3 trends from 16 stations in Saxony, Germany, were compared over three periods, revealing worsened O3 pollution over the last decade. O3 formation has been volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited at traffic and urban sites for the past 20 years. To mitigate O3 pollution, moderate nitrogen oxides and additional VOC controls, particularly in solvent use, should be prioritized in the coming years.
Baoye Hu, Naihua Chen, Rui Li, Mingqiang Huang, Jinsheng Chen, Youwei Hong, Lingling Xu, Xiaolong Fan, Mengren Li, Lei Tong, Qiuping Zheng, and Yuxiang Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 905–921, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-905-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-905-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Box modeling with the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) was used to explore summertime peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) formation and its link to aerosol pollution under high-ozone conditions. The MCM model is effective in the study of PAN photochemical formation and performed better during the clean period than the haze period. Machine learning analysis identified ammonia, nitrate, and fine particulate matter as the top three factors contributing to simulation bias.
Xiansheng Liu, Xun Zhang, Marvin Dufresne, Tao Wang, Lijie Wu, Rosa Lara, Roger Seco, Marta Monge, Ana Maria Yáñez-Serrano, Marie Gohy, Paul Petit, Audrey Chevalier, Marie-Pierre Vagnot, Yann Fortier, Alexia Baudic, Véronique Ghersi, Grégory Gille, Ludovic Lanzi, Valérie Gros, Leïla Simon, Heidi Héllen, Stefan Reimann, Zoé Le Bras, Michelle Jessy Müller, David Beddows, Siqi Hou, Zongbo Shi, Roy M. Harrison, William Bloss, James Dernie, Stéphane Sauvage, Philip K. Hopke, Xiaoli Duan, Taicheng An, Alastair C. Lewis, James R. Hopkins, Eleni Liakakou, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Xiaohu Zhang, Andrés Alastuey, Xavier Querol, and Thérèse Salameh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 625–638, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-625-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-625-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) pollution in urban areas across seven European countries. Analyzing data from 22 monitoring sites, we found traffic and industrial activities significantly impact BTEX levels, with peaks during rush hours. The risk from BTEX exposure remains moderate, especially in high-traffic and industrial zones, highlighting the need for targeted air quality management to protect public health and improve urban air quality.
Yuening Li, Faqiang Zhan, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Jenny Oh, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 459–472, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-459-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-459-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Organophosphate esters are important humanmade trace contaminants. Measuring them in the atmospheric gas phase, particles, precipitation, and surface water in Canada, we explore seasonal concentration variability, gas–particle partitioning, precipitation scavenging, and the air–water equilibrium. Whereas higher summer concentrations and efficient precipitation scavenging conform with expectations, the lack of a relationship between compound volatility and gas–particle partitioning is puzzling.
Fanhao Meng, Baobin Han, Min Qin, Wu Fang, Ke Tang, Dou Shao, Zhitang Liao, Jun Duan, Yan Feng, Yong Huang, Ting Ni, and Pinhua Xie
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 14191–14208, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-14191-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-14191-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Comprehensive observations of HONO and NOx fluxes were conducted over paddy fields in the Huaihe River Basin. Consecutive peaks in HONO and NO fluxes suggest a potentially enhanced release of HONO and NO due to soil tillage, whereas waterlogged soil may inhibit microbial nitrification processes following irrigation. Notably, biological processes and light-driven NO2 reactions at the surface may serve as sources of HONO and influence the local HONO budget during rotary tillage.
Zhaojin An, Rujing Yin, Xinyan Zhao, Xiaoxiao Li, Yuyang Li, Yi Yuan, Junchen Guo, Yiqi Zhao, Xue Li, Dandan Li, Yaowei Li, Dongbin Wang, Chao Yan, Kebin He, Douglas R. Worsnop, Frank N. Keutsch, and Jingkun Jiang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13793–13810, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13793-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13793-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Online Vocus-PTR measurements show the compositions and seasonal variations in organic vapors in urban Beijing. With enhanced sensitivity and mass resolution, various species at a level of sub-parts per trillion (ppt) and organics with multiple oxygens (≥ 3) were observed. The fast photooxidation process in summer leads to an increase in both concentration and proportion of organics with multiple oxygens, while, in other seasons, the variations in them could be influenced by mixed sources.
Ross Charles Petersen, Thomas Holst, Cheng Wu, Radovan Krejci, Jeremy Chan, Claudia Mohr, and Janne Rinne
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3410, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3410, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ecosystem-scale emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are important for atmospheric chemistry. Here we investigate boreal BVOC fluxes from a forest in central Sweden. BVOC fluxes were measured above-canopy using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry, while compound-specific monoterpene (MT) fluxes were assessed using a concentration gradient method. We also evaluate the impact of chemical degradation on observed sesquiterpene (SQT) and nighttime MT fluxes.
Bowen Zhang, Dong Zhang, Zhe Dong, Xinshuai Song, Ruiqin Zhang, and Xiao Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13587–13601, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13587-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13587-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To gain insight into the impact of changes due to epidemic control policies, we undertook continuous online monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at an urban site in Zhengzhou over a 2-month period. This study examines the characteristics of VOCs, their sources, and their temporal evolution. It also assesses the impact of the policy change on VOC pollution during the monitoring period, thus providing a basis for further research on VOC pollution and source control.
Jakob Boyd Pernov, Jens Liengaard Hjorth, Lise Lotte Sørensen, and Henrik Skov
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13603–13631, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13603-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13603-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Arctic ozone depletion events (ODEs) occur every spring and have vast implications for the oxidizing capacity, radiative balance, and mercury oxidation. In this study, we analyze ozone, ODEs, and their connection to meteorological and air mass history variables through statistical analyses, back trajectories, and machine learning (ML) at Villum Research Station. ODEs are favorable under sunny, calm conditions with air masses arriving from northerly wind directions with sea ice contact.
Hagninou Elagnon Venance Donnou, Aristide Barthélémy Akpo, Money Ossohou, Claire Delon, Véronique Yoboué, Dungall Laouali, Marie Ouafo-Leumbe, Pieter Gideon Van Zyl, Ousmane Ndiaye, Eric Gardrat, Maria Dias-Alves, and Corinne Galy-Lacaux
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13151–13182, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13151-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13151-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ozone is a secondary air pollutant that is detrimental to human and plant health. A better understanding of its chemical evolution is a challenge for Africa, where it is still undersampled. Out of 14 sites examined (1995–2020), high levels of O3 are reported in southern Africa. The dominant chemical processes leading to O3 formation are identified. A decrease in O3 is observed at Katibougou (Mali) and Banizoumbou (Niger), and an increase is found at Zoétélé (Cameroon) and Skukuza (South Africa).
Junwei Song, Georgios I. Gkatzelis, Ralf Tillmann, Nicolas Brüggemann, Thomas Leisner, and Harald Saathoff
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13199–13217, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13199-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13199-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and organic aerosol (OA) particles were measured online in a stressed spruce-dominated forest. OA was mainly attributed to the monoterpene oxidation products. The mixing ratios of BVOCs were higher than the values previously measured in other temperate forests. The results demonstrate that BVOCs are influenced not only by meteorology and biogenic emissions but also by local anthropogenic emissions and subsequent chemical transformation processes.
Sachin Mishra, Vinayak Sinha, Haseeb Hakkim, Arpit Awasthi, Sachin D. Ghude, Vijay Kumar Soni, Narendra Nigam, Baerbel Sinha, and Madhavan N. Rajeevan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13129–13150, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13129-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13129-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We quantified 111 gases using mass spectrometry to understand how seasonal and emission changes lead from clean air in the monsoon season to extremely polluted air in the post-monsoon season in Delhi. Averaged total mass concentrations (260 µg m-3) were > 4 times in polluted periods, driven by biomass burning emissions and reduced atmospheric ventilation. Reactive gaseous nitrogen, chlorine, and sulfur compounds hitherto unreported from such a polluted environment were discovered.
Gérard Ancellet, Camille Viatte, Anne Boynard, François Ravetta, Jacques Pelon, Cristelle Cailteau-Fischbach, Pascal Genau, Julie Capo, Axel Roy, and Philippe Nédélec
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12963–12983, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12963-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12963-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Characterization of ozone pollution in urban areas benefited from a measurement campaign in summer 2022 in the Paris region. The analysis is based on 21 d of lidar and aircraft observations. The main objective is an analysis of the sensitivity of ozone pollution to the micrometeorological processes in the urban atmospheric boundary layer and the transport of regional pollution. The paper also discusses to what extent satellite observations can track observed ozone plumes.
Xiaoyi Zhang, Wanyun Xu, Weili Lin, Gen Zhang, Jinjian Geng, Li Zhou, Huarong Zhao, Sanxue Ren, Guangsheng Zhou, Jianmin Chen, and Xiaobin Xu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12323–12340, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12323-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12323-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ozone (O3) deposition is a key process that removes surface O3, affecting air quality, ecosystems and climate change. We conducted O3 deposition measurement over a wheat canopy using a newly relaxed eddy accumulation flux system. Large variabilities in O3 deposition were detected, mainly determined by crop growth and modulated by various environmental factors. More O3 deposition observations over different surfaces are needed for exploring deposition mechanisms and model optimization.
Honglei Wang, David W. Tarasick, Jane Liu, Herman G. J. Smit, Roeland Van Malderen, Lijuan Shen, Romain Blot, and Tianliang Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11927–11942, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11927-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11927-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we identify 23 suitable pairs of sites from World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (WOUDC) and In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) datasets (1995 to 2021), compare the average vertical distributions of tropospheric O3 from ozonesonde and aircraft measurements, and analyze the differences based on ozonesonde type and station–airport distance.
Noémie Taquet, Wolfgang Stremme, María Eugenia González del Castillo, Victor Almanza, Alejandro Bezanilla, Olivier Laurent, Carlos Alberti, Frank Hase, Michel Ramonet, Thomas Lauvaux, Ke Che, and Michel Grutter
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11823–11848, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11823-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11823-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We characterize the variability in CO and CO2 emissions over Mexico City from long-term time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy solar absorption and surface measurements from 2013 to 2021. Using the average intraday CO growth rate from total columns, the average CO / CO2 ratio and TROPOMI data, we estimate the interannual variability in the CO and CO2 anthropogenic emissions of Mexico City, highlighting the effect of an unprecedented drop in activity due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Akima Ringsdorf, Achim Edtbauer, Bruna Holanda, Christopher Poehlker, Marta O. Sá, Alessandro Araújo, Jürgen Kesselmeier, Jos Lelieveld, and Jonathan Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11883–11910, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11883-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11883-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We show the average height distribution of separately observed aldehydes and ketones over a day and discuss their rainforest-specific sources and sinks as well as their seasonal changes above the Amazon. Ketones have much longer atmospheric lifetimes than aldehydes and thus different implications for atmospheric chemistry. However, they are commonly observed together, which we overcome by measuring with a NO+ chemical ionization mass spectrometer for the first time in the Amazon rainforest.
Theresa Harlass, Rebecca Dischl, Stefan Kaufmann, Raphael Märkl, Daniel Sauer, Monika Scheibe, Paul Stock, Tiziana Bräuer, Andreas Dörnbrack, Anke Roiger, Hans Schlager, Ulrich Schumann, Magdalena Pühl, Tobias Schripp, Tobias Grein, Linda Bondorf, Charles Renard, Maxime Gauthier, Mark Johnson, Darren Luff, Paul Madden, Peter Swann, Denise Ahrens, Reetu Sallinen, and Christiane Voigt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11807–11822, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11807-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11807-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Emissions from aircraft have a direct impact on our climate. Here, we present airborne and ground-based measurement data of nitrogen oxides that were collected in the exhaust of an Airbus aircraft. We study the impact of burning fossil and sustainable aviation fuel on nitrogen oxide emissions at different engine settings related to combustor temperature, pressure and fuel flow. Further, we compare observations with engine emission models.
Simone T. Andersen, Max R. McGillen, Chaoyang Xue, Tobias Seubert, Patrick Dewald, Gunther N. T. E. Türk, Jan Schuladen, Cyrielle Denjean, Jean-Claude Etienne, Olivier Garrouste, Marina Jamar, Sergio Harb, Manuela Cirtog, Vincent Michoud, Mathieu Cazaunau, Antonin Bergé, Christopher Cantrell, Sebastien Dusanter, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Alexandre Kukui, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Lucy J. Carpenter, Jos Lelieveld, and John N. Crowley
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11603–11618, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11603-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11603-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Using measurements of various trace gases in a suburban forest near Paris in the summer of 2022, we were able to gain insight into the sources and sinks of NOx (NO+NO2) with a special focus on their nighttime chemical and physical loss processes. NO was observed as a result of nighttime soil emissions when O3 levels were strongly depleted by deposition. NO oxidation products were not observed at night, indicating that soil and/or foliar surfaces are an efficient sink of reactive N.
Lee Tiszenkel, James H. Flynn, and Shan-Hu Lee
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11351–11363, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11351-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11351-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ammonia and amines are important ingredients for aerosol formation in urban environments, but the measurements of these compounds are extremely challenging. Our observations show that urban ammonia and amines in Houston are emitted from urban sources, and diurnal variations in their concentrations are likely governed by gas-to-particle conversion and emissions.
Arpit Awasthi, Baerbel Sinha, Haseeb Hakkim, Sachin Mishra, Varkrishna Mummidivarapu, Gurmanjot Singh, Sachin D. Ghude, Vijay Kumar Soni, Narendra Nigam, Vinayak Sinha, and Madhavan N. Rajeevan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 10279–10304, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10279-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10279-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We use 111 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PM10, and PM2.5 in a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to resolve 11 pollution sources validated with chemical fingerprints. Crop residue burning and heating account for ~ 50 % of the PM, while traffic and industrial emissions dominate the gas-phase VOC burden and formation potential of secondary organic aerosols (> 60 %). Non-tailpipe emissions from compressed-natural-gas-fuelled commercial vehicles dominate the transport sector's PM burden.
Luke D. Schiferl, Cong Cao, Bronte Dalton, Andrew Hallward-Driemeier, Ricardo Toledo-Crow, and Róisín Commane
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 10129–10142, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10129-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10129-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an air pollutant and an important indicator of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in cities. Using 4 years of winter and spring observations in New York City, we found that both the magnitude and variability of CO from the metropolitan area are greater than expected. Transportation emissions cannot explain the missing and variable CO, which points to energy from buildings as a likely underappreciated source of urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Cited articles
Andersen, Z. J., Wahlin, P., Raaschou-Nielsen, O., Scheike, T., and Loft, S.: Ambient particle source apportionment and daily hospital admissions among children and elderly in Copenhagen, J. Expo. Sci. Env. Epid., 17, 625–636, https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500546, 2007.
Belis, C. A., Karagulian, F., Larsen, B. R., and Hopke, P. K.: Critical review and meta-analysis of ambient particulate matter source apportionment using receptor models in Europe, Atmos. Environ., 69, 94–108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.11.009, 2013.
Belis, C. A., Pernigotti, D., Karagulian, F., Pirovano, G., Larsen, B. R., Gerboles, M., and Hopke, P. K.: A New Methodology to Assess the Performance and Uncertainty of Source Apportionment Models in Intercomparison Exercises, Atmos. Environ., 119, 35–44, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.08.002, 2015a.
Belis, C. A., Karagulian, F., Amato, F., Almeida, M., Argyropoulos, G., Artaxo, P., Beddows, D. C. S., Bernardoni, V., Bove, M. C., Carbone, S., Cesari, D., Contini, D., Cuccia, E., Diapouli, E., Eleftheriadis, K., Favez, O., El Haddad, I., Harrison, R. M., Hellebust, S., Jang, E., Jorquera, H., Kammermeier, T., Karl, M., Lucarelli, F., Mooibroek, D., Nava, S., Nøjgaard, J. K., Pandolfi, M., Perrone, M. G., Petit, J. E., Pietrodangelo, A., Pirovano, G., Pokorna, P., Prati, P., Prévôt, A. S. H., Quass, U., Querol, X., Samara, C., Saraga, D., Sciare, J., Sfetsos, A., Valli, G., Vecchi, R., Vestenius, M., Yubero, E., and Hopke, P. K.: A New Methodology to Assess the Performance and Uncertainty of Source Apportionment Models II: The Results of Two European Intercomparison Exercises, Atmos. Environ., 123, 240–250, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.10.068, 2015b.
Carpi, A.: Mercury from combustion sources: a review of the chemical species emitted and their transport in the atmosphere, Water, Air, Soil Pollut., 98, 241–254, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026429911010, 1997.
Cesari, D., Amato, F., Pandolfi, M., Alastuey, A., Querol, X., and Contini, D.: An inter-comparison of PM10 source apportionment using PCA and PMF receptor models in three European sites, Environment Science and Pollution Research, 23, 15133–15148, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6599-z, 2016.
Croghan, C. W. and Egeghy, P. P.: Methods of dealing with values below the limit of detection using SAS, available at: http://analytics.ncsu.edu/sesug/2003/SD08-Croghan.pdf (last access: 30 May 2016), 2003.
Cheng, I., Lu, J., and Song, X.: Studies of potential sources that contributed to atmospheric mercury in Toronto, Canada., Atmos. Environ., 43, 6145–6158, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.09.008, 2009.
Cheng, I., Zhang, L., Blanchard, P., Graydon, J. A., and Louis, V. L. St.: Source-receptor relationships for speciated atmospheric mercury at the remote Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario, Canada, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 1903–1922, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-1903-2012, 2012.
Cheng, I., Zhang, L., Blanchard, P., Dalziel, J., Tordon, R., Huang, J., and Holsen, T. M.: Comparisons of mercury sources and atmospheric mercury processes between a coastal and inland site, J. Geophys. Res-Atmos., 118, 2434–2443, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50169, 2013.
Cheng, I., Xu, X., and Zhang, L.: Overview of receptor-based source apportionment studies for speciated atmospheric mercury, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7877–7895, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7877-2015, 2015.
Cheng, I., Zhang, L., and Xu, X.: Impact of measurement uncertainties on receptor modeling of speciated atmospheric mercury, Scientific Reports, 6, 20676, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep20676, 2016.
Environment Canada (EC): National Pollutants Release Inventory (NPRI) Datasets, available at: https://www.ec.gc.ca/inrp-npri/default.asp?lang=en&n=0EC58C98-1, last access: 29 May 2016.
Environment Canada: Canadian National Atmospheric Chemistry Particulate Matter Database for 2009–2010 (NatChem), Science and Technology Branch, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3H 5 T4, available at: https://www.ec.gc.ca/natchem/, last access: 24 January 2017.
Environment Canada: National Air Pollution Surveillance data for 2009–2010 (NAPS), Analysis and Air Quality Section, Environment Canada, 335 River Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3, http://www.ec.gc.ca/rnspa-naps/, last access: 24 January 2017.
Environment Canada: Historical Climate Data, http://climate.weather.gc.ca/, last access: 24 January 2017.
Evers, D. C., Han, Y.-J., Driscoll, C. T., Kamman, N. C., Goodale, M. W., Lambert, K. F., Holsen, T. M., Chen, C. Y., Clair, T. A., and Butler, T.: Biological mercury hotspots in the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada, BioScience, 57, 29–43, https://doi.org/10.1641/B570107, 2007.
Gaffney, J. S. and Marley, N. A.: In-depth review of atmospheric mercury: sources, transformations, and potential sinks, Energy and Emission Control Technologies, 2, 1–21, https://doi.org/10.2147/EECT.S37038, 2014.
Gibson, M. D., Haelssig, J., Pierce, J. R., Parrington, M., Franklin, J. E., Hopper, J. T., Li, Z., and Ward, T. J.: A comparison of four receptor models used to quantify the boreal wildfire smoke contribution to surface PM2.5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the BORTAS-B experiment, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 815–827, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-815-2015, 2015.
Goodsite, M. E., Plane, J. M. C., and Skov, H.: A theoretical study of the oxidation of Hg0 to HgBr2 in the troposphere, Environ. Sci. Technol., 38, 1772–1776, https://doi.org/10.1021/es034680s, 2004.
Gustin, M. S., Lindberg, S. E., and Weisberg, P. J.: An update on the natural sources and sinks of atmospheric mercury, Appl. Geochem., 23, 482–493, 2008.
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.
Hedberg, E., Gidhagen, L., and Johansson, C.: Source contributions to PM10 and arsenic concentrations in Central Chile using positive matrix factorization, Atmos. Environ., 39, 549–561, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.11.001, 2005.
Henry, R. C.: Multivariate receptor models, in: Receptor modeling for air quality management, 1st ed., edited by: Hopke, P. K., ISBN-10: 0-444-88218-9, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1991.
Henry, R. C., Lewis, C. W., Hopke, P. K., and Williamson, H. J.: Review of receptor model fundamentals, Atmos. Environ., 18, 1507–1515, https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(84)90375-5, 1984.
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, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.01.051, 2009.
Hopke, P. K.: It is time to drop principal components analysis as a “receptor model”, J. Atmos. Chem., 72, 127–128, 2015.
Hopke, P. K.: Review of receptor modeling methods for source apportionment, J. Air. Waste. Manage., 66, 237–259, https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2016.1140693, 2016.
Huang, J., Choi, H.-D., Hopke, P. K., and Holsen, T. M.: Ambient Hg sources in Rochester, NY: results from principle components analysis (PCA) of Hg monitoring network data, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 8441–8445, https://doi.org/10.1021/es102744j, 2010.
Huang, S., Rahn, K. A., and Arimoto, R.: Testing and optimizing two factor-analysis techniques on aerosol at Narragansett, Rhode Island, Atmos. Environ., 33, 2169–2185, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(98)00324-0, 1999.
Kaiser, H. F.: The Application of Electronic Computers to Factor Analysis, Educ. Psychol. Meas., 20, 141–151, https://doi.org/10.1177/001316446002000116, 1960.
Lee, E., Chan, C. K., and Paatero, P.: Application of positive matrix factorization in source apportionment of particulate pollutants in Hong Kong, Atmos. Environ., 33, 3201–3212, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(99)00113-2, 1999.
Liao, Y.: Analysis of Potential Sources and Processes Affecting Ambient Speciated Mercury Concentrations at Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, Master's thesis, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, 166 pp., 2016.
Liu, B., Keeler, G. J., Dvonch, J. T., Barres, J. A., Lynam, M. M., Marsik, F. J., and Morgan, J. T.: Temporal variability of mercury speciation in urban air, Atmos. Environ., 41, 1911–1923, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.10.063, 2007.
Lynam, M. M. and Keeler, G. J.: Artifacts associated with the measurement of particulate mercury in an urban environment: the influence of elevated ozone concentrations, Atmos. Environ., 39, 3081–3088, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.01.036, 2005.
Lynam, M. M. and Keeler, G. J.: Source-receptor relationships for atmospheric mercury in urban Detroit, Michigan, Atmos. Environ., 40, 3144–3155, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.01.026, 2006.
NADP: National Atmospheric Deposition Program: Atmospheric Mercury Network (AMNet), available at: http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/amn/data.aspx, last access: 24 January 2017.
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, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1018, 2011.
Paatero, P. and Tapper, U.: Positive matrix factorization: A non-negative factor model with optimal utilization of error estimates of data values, Envrionmentrics, 5, 111–126, https://doi.org/10.1002/env.3170050203, 1994.
Pakkanen, T. A.: Study of formation of coarse particle nitrate aerosol, Atmos. Environ., 30, 2475–2482, https://doi.org/10.1016/1352-2310(95)00492-0, 1996.
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, https://doi.org/10.1039/B311150D, 2004.
Parmar, R. S., Satsangi, G. S., Kumari, M., Lakhani, A., Srivastava, S. S., and Prakash, S.: Study of size distribution of atmospheric aerosol at Agra, Atmos. Environ., 35, 693–702, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00317-4, 2001.
Pavlovic, R. T., Nopmongcol, U., Kimura, Y., and Allen, D. T.: Ammonia emissions, concentrations and implications for particulate matter formation in Houston, TX, Atmos. Environ., 40, 538–551, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.04.071, 2006.
Pekey, H., Karakaş, D., and Bakoglu, M.: Source apportionment of trace metals in surface waters of a polluted stream using multivariate statistical analyses, Mar. Pollut. Bull., 49, 809–818, 2004.
Pirrone, N., Cinnirella, S., Feng, X., Finkelman, R. B., Friedli, H. R., Leaner, J., Mason, R., Mukherjee, A. B., Stracher, G. B., Streets, D. G., and Telmer, K.: Global mercury emissions to the atmosphere from anthropogenic and natural sources, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 5951–5964, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-5951-2010, 2010.
Pitchford, M. L., Poirot, R. L., Schichtel, B. A., and Malm, W. C.: Characterization of the winter midwestern particulate nitrate bulge, J. Air Waste Manage., 59, 1061–1069, https://doi.org/10.3155/1047-3289.59.9.1061, 2009.
Polissar, A. V., Hopke, P. K., Paatero, P., Malm, W. C., and Sisler, J. F.: Atmospheric aerosol over Alaska: 2. Elemental composition and sources, J. Geophys. Res-Atmos., 103, 19045–19057, https://doi.org/10.1029/98JD01212, 1998.
Rutter, A. P. and Schauer, J. J.: The effect of temperature on the gas-particle partitioning of reactive mercury in atmospheric aerosols, Atmos. Environ., 41, 8647–8657, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.07.024, 2007.
Tekran Inc.: Products. Ambient Air, available at: http://www.tekran.com/products/ambient-air/overview/ (last access: 29 May 2016), 2010.
Thurston, G. D. and Spengler, J. D.: A quantitative assessment of source contributions to inhalable particulate matter pollution in metropolitan Boston, Atmos. Environ., 19, 9–25, https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(85)90132-5, 1985.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP): Global Mercury Assessment 2013: Sources, Emissions, Releases and Environmental Transport, UNEP Chemicals Branch, Geneva, Switzerland, available at: http://www.unep.org/PDF/PressReleases/GlobalMercuryAssessment2013.pdf (last access: 30 May 2016), 2013.
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA): Clean Air Markets: 2010 Progress Report Emission, Compliance, and Market Analyses, available at: https://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/acid-rain-program-historical-reports (last access: 9 June 2016), 2011.
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA): EPA Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) 5.0 Fundamentals and User Guide, available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-02/documents/pmf_5.0_user_guide.pdf (last access: 30 May 2016), 2014a.
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA): ): Positive Matrix Factorization Model for environmental data analyses-Download PMF 5.0 Software, available at: https://www.epa.gov/air-research/positive-matrix-factorization-model-environmental-data-analyses (last access: 6 June 2015), 2014b.
Viana, M., Pandolfi, M., Minguillón, M. C., Querol, X., Alastuey, A., Monfort, E., and Celades, I.: Inter-comparison of receptor models for PM source apportionment: case study in an industrial area, Atmos. Environ., 42, 3820–3832, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.056, 2008.
Wang, Y., Huang, J., Hopke, P. K., Rattigan, O. V., Chalupa, D. C., Utell, M. J., and Holsen, T. M.: Effect of the shutdown of a large coal-fired power plant on ambient mercury species, Chemosphere, 92, 360–367, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.01.024, 2013.
Watson, J. G., Chen, L.-W. A., Chow, J. C., Doraiswamy, P., and Lowenthal, D. H.: Source apportionment: findings from the U.S. supersites program, J. Air Waste Manage., 58, 265–288, https://doi.org/10.3155/1047-3289.58.2.265, 2008.
Wyn, B., Kidd, K. A., Burgess, N. M., Curry, R. A., and Munkittrick, K. R.: Increasing mercury in yellow perch at a hotspot in Atlantic Canada, Kejimkujik National Park, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 9176–9181, https://doi.org/10.1021/es1018114, 2010.
Zhang, L., Vet, R., Wiebe, A., Mihele, C., Sukloff, B., Chan, E., Moran, M. D., and Iqbal, S.: Characterization of the size-segregated water-soluble inorganic ions at eight Canadian rural sites, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 7133–7151, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-7133-2008, 2008.
Zhang, L., Wang, S., Wu, Q., Wang, F., Lin, C.-J., Zhang, L., Hui, M., Yang, M., Su, H., and Hao, J.: Mercury transformation and speciation in flue gases from anthropogenic emission sources: a critical review, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2417–2433, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2417-2016, 2016.
Short summary
This study addresses two issues related to source–receptor analysis of speciated atmospheric mercury: (1) comparing PMF and PCA and (2) testing different approaches in data selection for PMF modeling.
This study addresses two issues related to source–receptor analysis of speciated atmospheric...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint