Articles | Volume 18, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-11261-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-11261-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
13 Aug 2018
Research article |
| 13 Aug 2018
| 13 Aug 2018
Summertime fine particulate nitrate pollution in the North China Plain: increasing trends, formation mechanisms and implications for control policy
Liang Wen
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Likun Xue
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Xinfeng Wang
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Caihong Xu
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Tianshu Chen
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Lingxiao Yang
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Qingzhu Zhang
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Wenxing Wang
Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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We used the WRF–Chem model with the latest HONO and ClNO2 processes to investigate their effects on the concentrations of ROx radicals, O3, and PM2.5 in Asia during summer. The results show that the ship-derived HONO and ClNO2 increased the ROx radical concentration by 2–3 times and subsequently increased the O3 and PM2.5 concentrations in marine areas. These findings indicate the importance of these nitrogen processes in the evaluation of the impact of ship emissions on air quality.
Yuting Wang, Yong-Feng Ma, Domingo Muñoz-Esparza, Cathy W. Y. Li, Mary Barth, Tao Wang, and Guy P. Brasseur
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3531–3553, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3531-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3531-2021, 2021
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Large-eddy simulations (LESs) were performed in the mountainous region of the island of Hong Kong to investigate the degree to which the rates of chemical reactions between two reactive species are reduced due to the segregation of species within the convective boundary layer. We show that the inhomogeneity in emissions plays an important role in the segregation effect. Topography also has a significant influence on the segregation locally.
Yujiao Zhu, Likun Xue, Jian Gao, Jianmin Chen, Hongyong Li, Yong Zhao, Zhaoxin Guo, Tianshu Chen, Liang Wen, Penggang Zheng, Ye Shan, Xinfeng Wang, Tao Wang, Xiaohong Yao, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 1305–1323, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1305-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1305-2021, 2021
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This work investigates the long-term changes in new particle formation (NPF) events under reduced SO2 emissions at the summit of Mt. Tai during seven campaigns from 2007 to 2018. We found the NPF intensity increased 2- to 3-fold in 2018 compared to 2007. In contrast, the probability of new particles growing to CCN size largely decreased. Changes to biogenic VOCs and anthropogenic emissions are proposed to explain the distinct NPF characteristics.
Jiarong Li, Chao Zhu, Hui Chen, Defeng Zhao, Likun Xue, Xinfeng Wang, Hongyong Li, Pengfei Liu, Junfeng Liu, Chenglong Zhang, Yujing Mu, Wenjin Zhang, Luming Zhang, Hartmut Herrmann, Kai Li, Min Liu, and Jianmin Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 13735–13751, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13735-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13735-2020, 2020
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Based on a field study at Mt. Tai, China, the simultaneous variations of cloud microphysics, aerosol microphysics and their potential interactions during cloud life cycles were discussed. Results demonstrated that clouds on clean days were more susceptible to the concentrations of particle number, while clouds formed on polluted days might be more sensitive to meteorological parameters. Particles larger than 150 nm played important roles in forming cloud droplets with sizes of 5–10 μm.
Ying Jiang, Likun Xue, Rongrong Gu, Mengwei Jia, Yingnan Zhang, Liang Wen, Penggang Zheng, Tianshu Chen, Hongyong Li, Ye Shan, Yong Zhao, Zhaoxin Guo, Yujian Bi, Hengde Liu, Aijun Ding, Qingzhu Zhang, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 12115–12131, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12115-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12115-2020, 2020
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We analyzed the characteristics and sources of HONO in the upper boundary layer and lower free troposphere in the North China Plain, based on the field measurements at Mount Tai. Higher-than-expected levels and broad daytime peaks of HONO were observed. Without presence of ground surfaces, aerosol surface plays a key role in the heterogeneous HONO formation at high altitudes. Models without additional HONO sources largely
underestimatedthe oxidation processes in the elevation atmospheres.
Zhenhao Ling, Qianqian Xie, Min Shao, Zhe Wang, Tao Wang, Hai Guo, and Xuemei Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 11451–11467, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-11451-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-11451-2020, 2020
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The observation data from a receptor site in the Pearl River Delta region were analyzed by a photochemical box model with near-explicit chemical mechanisms (i.e., the Master Chemical Mechanism, MCM), improvements with reversible and irreversible heterogeneous processes of glyoxal and methylglyoxal, and the gas-particle partitioning of oxidation products in the present study.
Wei Pu, Zhouxing Zou, Weihao Wang, David Tanner, Zhe Wang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2020-252, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2020-252, 2020
Revised manuscript not accepted
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The hydroxyl radical (OH) is responsible for the degradation of trace gases and plays key roles in major environmental issues such as photochemical pollution. However, the measurement of atmospheric OH radical is a huge challenge due to its high reactivity. Our study provides systematic optimization of a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) for OH measurement as a reference for other CIMS users. The ambient result demonstrates the capability of the CIMS for ambient OH measurement.
Tianshu Chen, Likun Xue, Penggang Zheng, Yingnan Zhang, Yuhong Liu, Jingjing Sun, Guangxuan Han, Hongyong Li, Xin Zhang, Yunfeng Li, Hong Li, Can Dong, Fei Xu, Qingzhu Zhang, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 7069–7086, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-7069-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-7069-2020, 2020
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Oil production is a significant source of ambient VOCs, but its impact on air quality has long been overlooked in China. We addressed this gap by conducting field campaigns in an oil field region followed by chemical modeling analyses. The VOC speciation profiles from the oil field emissions were directly measured for the first time in China. This study emphasizes the importance of oil extraction to photochemical pollution and atmospheric chemistry in the oil production regions of China.
Yanhong Zhu, Andreas Tilgner, Erik Hans Hoffmann, Hartmut Herrmann, Kimitaka Kawamura, Lingxiao Yang, Likun Xue, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6725–6747, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6725-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6725-2020, 2020
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The formation and processing of secondary inorganic and organic compounds at Mt. Tai, the highest mountain on the North China Plain, are modeled using a multiphase chemical model. The concentrations of key radical and non-radical oxidations in the formation processes are investigated. Sensitivity tests assess the impacts of emission data and glyoxal partitioning constants on modeled results. The key precursors of secondary organic compounds are also identified.
Yiming Liu and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6305–6321, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6305-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6305-2020, 2020
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This study revealed the effects of changes in meteorology and anthropogenic emissions on the summer ozone variations from 2013 to 2017 across China by conducting numerical experiments. We highlighted the important but varying roles of meteorology in ozone variations attributed to the synergistic or counteracting effects from individual meteorological factors. Developing future ozone pollution mitigation policies should consider the counteracting impact of meteorological changes.
Yiming Liu and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6323–6337, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6323-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6323-2020, 2020
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Surface ozone levels in urban areas of China were increasing despite the implementation of stringent emission control measures since 2013. Our modeling results show that the decrease in NOx, SO2, and PM emissions and increase in VOC emissions contributed to the urban ozone increases due to the nonlinear ozone chemistry and complex aerosol affects. VOC reduction measures should be implemented in the current and future policies to achieve the goal of improving the overall air quality.
Men Xia, Xiang Peng, Weihao Wang, Chuan Yu, Peng Sun, Yuanyuan Li, Yuliang Liu, Zhengning Xu, Zhe Wang, Zheng Xu, Wei Nie, Aijun Ding, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6147–6158, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6147-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6147-2020, 2020
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ClNO2 and Cl2 can be photolyzed by sunlight to produce a highly reactive Cl atom which affects air quality and climate. We observed high ClNO2 and Cl2 concentrations during a recent field study in east China. We analyzed the data and proposed a new hypothesis on the Cl2 production mechanism. Yields of ClNO2 and Cl2 from N2O2 uptake were parameterized using observational constraints, and they can be used in air quality models to improve simulations of atmospheric photochemistry and air quality.
Gen Zhang, Honghui Xu, Hongli Wang, Likun Xue, Jianjun He, Wanyun Xu, Bing Qi, Rongguang Du, Chang Liu, Zeyuan Li, Ke Gui, Wanting Jiang, Linlin Liang, Yan Yan, and Xiaoyan Meng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 5391–5403, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-5391-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-5391-2020, 2020
Havala O. T. Pye, Athanasios Nenes, Becky Alexander, Andrew P. Ault, Mary C. Barth, Simon L. Clegg, Jeffrey L. Collett Jr., Kathleen M. Fahey, Christopher J. Hennigan, Hartmut Herrmann, Maria Kanakidou, James T. Kelly, I-Ting Ku, V. Faye McNeill, Nicole Riemer, Thomas Schaefer, Guoliang Shi, Andreas Tilgner, John T. Walker, Tao Wang, Rodney Weber, Jia Xing, Rahul A. Zaveri, and Andreas Zuend
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 4809–4888, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4809-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4809-2020, 2020
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Acid rain is recognized for its impacts on human health and ecosystems, and programs to mitigate these effects have had implications for atmospheric acidity. Historical measurements indicate that cloud and fog droplet acidity has changed in recent decades in response to controls on emissions from human activity, while the limited trend data for suspended particles indicate acidity may be relatively constant. This review synthesizes knowledge on the acidity of atmospheric particles and clouds.
Chuan Yu, Zhe Wang, Men Xia, Xiao Fu, Weihao Wang, Yee Jun Tham, Tianshu Chen, Penggang Zheng, Hongyong Li, Ye Shan, Xinfeng Wang, Likun Xue, Yan Zhou, Dingli Yue, Yubo Ou, Jian Gao, Keding Lu, Steven S. Brown, Yuanhang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 4367–4378, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4367-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4367-2020, 2020
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This study provides a holistic picture of N2O5 heterogeneous uptake on ambient aerosols and the influencing factors under various climatic and chemical conditions in China, and it proposes an observation-based empirical parameterization. The empirical parameterization can be used in air quality models to improve the prediction of PM2.5 and photochemical pollution in China and similar polluted regions of the world.
Tao Li, Zhe Wang, Yaru Wang, Chen Wu, Yiheng Liang, Men Xia, Chuan Yu, Hui Yun, Weihao Wang, Yan Wang, Jia Guo, Hartmut Herrmann, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 391–407, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-391-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-391-2020, 2020
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This work presents a field study of cloud water chemistry and interactions of cloud, gas, and aerosols in the polluted coastal boundary layer in southern China. Substantial dissolved organic matter in the acidic cloud water was observed, and the gas- and aqueous-phase partitioning of carbonyl compounds was investigated. The results demonstrated the significant role of cloud processing in altering aerosol properties, especially in producing aqueous organics and droplet-mode aerosols.
Jun Zhang, Xinfeng Wang, Rui Li, Shuwei Dong, Yingnan Zhang, Penggang Zheng, Min Li, Tianshu Chen, Yuhong Liu, Likun Xue, Wei Nie, Aijun Ding, Mingjin Tang, Xuehua Zhou, Lin Du, Qingzhu Zhang, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-757, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-757, 2019
Preprint withdrawn
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This study presents the concentrations, variation characteristics, and key influencing factors of particulate organic nitrates at four urban and rural sites in eastern China. The effects of anthropogenic activities (i.e. biomass burning and coal combustion) and meteorological conditions (in particular the humidity) on the secondary formation of organic nitrates have been investigated. The results highlight the greater role of SO2 in organic nitrate chemistry than previously assumed.
Siyang Li, Xiaotong Jiang, Marie Roveretto, Christian George, Ling Liu, Wei Jiang, Qingzhu Zhang, Wenxing Wang, Maofa Ge, and Lin Du
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 9887–9902, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-9887-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-9887-2019, 2019
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We stimulated the photochemical aging of organic film coated on aqueous aerosol in the presence of imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde, humic acid, an atmospheric PM2.5 sample, and a secondary organic aerosol sample from the lab. The unsaturated lipid mixed with photosensitizer under UV irradiation produced hydroperoxides, leading to surface area increase in organic film. Our results reveal the modification of organic film on aqueous aerosol has potential influence on the hygroscopic growth of droplets.
Lu Shen, Daniel J. Jacob, Xiong Liu, Guanyu Huang, Ke Li, Hong Liao, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 6551–6560, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6551-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6551-2019, 2019
Xiaopu Lyu, Nan Wang, Hai Guo, Likun Xue, Fei Jiang, Yangzong Zeren, Hairong Cheng, Zhe Cai, Lihui Han, and Ying Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3025–3042, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3025-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3025-2019, 2019
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Through analyses on the synoptic systems, pollution characteristics of O3 precursors, and modeling of local O3 formation and processes influencing O3 level, we found that this O3 pollution event was induced by a uniform pressure field over the Shandong Peninsula and also aggravated by a low-pressure trough in the last few days. This finding indicated that the NCP might be an O3 source region, which exported photochemical pollution to the adjoining regions or even to the neighboring countries.
Lei Sun, Likun Xue, Yuhang Wang, Longlei Li, Jintai Lin, Ruijing Ni, Yingying Yan, Lulu Chen, Juan Li, Qingzhu Zhang, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1455–1469, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1455-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1455-2019, 2019
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We quantified the detailed impacts of meteorology and anthropogenic emissions on surface O3 increase in central eastern China between 2003 and 2015 using GEOS-Chem. The emission change plays a more important role than the meteorological change, while the regions with a larger O3 increase are more sensitive to meteorology. NMVOC emission change dominated the O3 increase in eastern CEC, while NOx emission change led to an O3 increase in western and central CEC and O3 decrease in urban areas.
Xiao Fu, Tao Wang, Li Zhang, Qinyi Li, Zhe Wang, Men Xia, Hui Yun, Weihao Wang, Chuan Yu, Dingli Yue, Yan Zhou, Junyun Zheng, and Rui Han
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1-2019, 2019
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This study has identified the major contributors to the observed high HONO levels during a severe winter pollution episode and highlighted the importance of HONO chemistry in the combined photochemical and haze pollution in a subtropical region. It also highlighted the critical need to include and update HONO sources in regional air quality models in order to predict ozone and other secondary pollutants better during heavy pollution events in southern China and similar regions.
Hui Yun, Weihao Wang, Tao Wang, Men Xia, Chuan Yu, Zhe Wang, Steven C. N. Poon, Dingli Yue, and Yan Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 17515–17527, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-17515-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-17515-2018, 2018
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Based on the data analysis of simultaneous measurement of N2O5 and ClNO2 in a severe winter haze in the Pearl River Delta, this study underscores the importance of N2O5 heterogeneous reactions in nitrate formation and calls for better parameterization of N2O5 heterogeneous chemistry in order to predict haze pollution in China.
Weihao Wang, Zhe Wang, Chuan Yu, Men Xia, Xiang Peng, Yan Zhou, Dingli Yue, Yubo Ou, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 5643–5655, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5643-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5643-2018, 2018
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This study introduces an in situ experimental approach to direct measurement of N2O5 heterogeneous reactivity in polluted environments. Laboratory tests, model simulations, and field deployment of the method at a polluted site in south China demonstrated its applicability in accurately measuring N2O5 uptake coefficient with high ambient pollutants levels and air mass changes. The introduced method is also applicable to in situ measurement of reactivity of other trace gases on ambient aerosols.
Yee Jun Tham, Zhe Wang, Qinyi Li, Weihao Wang, Xinfeng Wang, Keding Lu, Nan Ma, Chao Yan, Simonas Kecorius, Alfred Wiedensohler, Yuanhang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 13155–13171, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-13155-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-13155-2018, 2018
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This study addresses the limited understanding of heterogeneous N2O5 uptake and ClNO2 production in the polluted environment of China. The results showed that N2O5 uptake and ClNO2 yield cannot be well explained by previous parameterizations and were largely influenced by factors like aerosol water content and biomass burning emission. Our findings illuminate the need to realistically parameterize these heterogeneous processes for better simulation of photochemical and haze pollution in China.
Michael Le Breton, Åsa M. Hallquist, Ravi Kant Pathak, David Simpson, Yujue Wang, John Johansson, Jing Zheng, Yudong Yang, Dongjie Shang, Haichao Wang, Qianyun Liu, Chak Chan, Tao Wang, Thomas J. Bannan, Michael Priestley, Carl J. Percival, Dudley E. Shallcross, Keding Lu, Song Guo, Min Hu, and Mattias Hallquist
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 13013–13030, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-13013-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-13013-2018, 2018
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We apply state-of-the-art chemical characterization to determine the chloride radical production in Beijing via measurement of inorganic halogens at a semi-rural site. The high concentration of inorganic halogens, namely nitryl chloride, enables the production of chlorinated volatile organic compounds which are measured in both the gas and particle phases simultaneously. This enables the secondary production of aerosols via chlorine oxidation to be directly observed in ambient air.
Yanhong Zhu, Lingxiao Yang, Jianmin Chen, Kimitaka Kawamura, Mamiko Sato, Andreas Tilgner, Dominik van Pinxteren, Ying Chen, Likun Xue, Xinfeng Wang, Isobel J. Simpson, Hartmut Herrmann, Donald R. Blake, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 10741–10758, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-10741-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-10741-2018, 2018
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Molecular distributions of dicarboxylic acids, oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls in the free troposphere are identified, and their concentration variations between 2014 and 2006 are presented. High nighttime concentrations were probably due to precursor emissions and aqueous-phase oxidation. Biomass burning was significant, but its tracer levoglucosan in 2014 was 5 times lower than 2006 concentrations. Finally, regional emission from anthropogenic activities was identified as a major source.
Liwei Wang, Xinfeng Wang, Rongrong Gu, Hao Wang, Lan Yao, Liang Wen, Fanping Zhu, Weihao Wang, Likun Xue, Lingxiao Yang, Keding Lu, Jianmin Chen, Tao Wang, Yuanghang Zhang, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 4349–4359, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-4349-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-4349-2018, 2018
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This study presents concentrations, variation characteristics, sources and secondary formations of nitrated phenols, a major component of brown carbon, in typical seasons at four sites in northern China. The results highlight the strong influences and contributions of anthropogenic activities, in particular coal combustion and the aging processes, to the atmospheric nitrated phenols in this region.
Zhe Wang, Weihao Wang, Yee Jun Tham, Qinyi Li, Hao Wang, Liang Wen, Xinfeng Wang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 12361–12378, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12361-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12361-2017, 2017
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This work addresses unclear roles of heterogeneous N2O5 reactions and chlorine activation processes in the polluted residual layer from a mountaintop measurement in northern China. The results revealed efficient ClNO2 production in the coal-fired plumes in this region, having large impacts on next-morning photochemistry. Fast heterogeneous N2O5 reactions dominate the nocturnal NOx loss and contribute to substantial nitrate formation, which may boost the haze pollution in northern China.
Caihong Xu, Min Wei, Jianmin Chen, Chao Zhu, Jiarong Li, Ganglin Lv, Xianmang Xu, Lulu Zheng, Guodong Sui, Weijun Li, Bing Chen, Wenxing Wang, Qingzhu Zhang, Aijun Ding, and Abdelwahid Mellouki
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 11247–11260, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11247-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11247-2017, 2017
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Fungi are ubiquitous throughout the near-surface atmosphere, where they represent an important component of primary biological aerosol particles. The diversity and composition of the fungal communities varied over the different seasons between the fine (PM2.5) and submicron (PM1) particles at the summit of Mt. Tai located in the North China Plain, China. This work may serve as an important reference for the fungal contribution to primary biological aerosol particles.
Jiarong Li, Xinfeng Wang, Jianmin Chen, Chao Zhu, Weijun Li, Chengbao Li, Lu Liu, Caihong Xu, Liang Wen, Likun Xue, Wenxing Wang, Aijun Ding, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9885–9896, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9885-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9885-2017, 2017
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Cloud events at Mt. Tai were investigated for the chemical composition and size distribution of cloud droplets. An obvious rise in pH was found for elevated NH+4 during the last decade. Higher PM2.5 levels resulted in higher concentrations of water-soluble ions, smaller sizes and higher numbers of cloud droplets. The mechanism of cloud-droplet formation and the mass transfer between aerosol–gas–cloud phases were summarized to enrich the knowledge of cloud chemical and microphysical properties.
Li Zhang, Qinyi Li, Tao Wang, Ravan Ahmadov, Qiang Zhang, Meng Li, and Mengyao Lv
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 9733–9750, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9733-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-9733-2017, 2017
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Little is known of the integrated impacts of HONO and ClNO2 on lower-tropospheric ozone so far. In this study, we updated WRF-Chem with the CBMZ_ReNOM module, which considers both the sources and chemistry of HONO and ClNO2. The revised model revealed that the two reactive nitrogen compounds significantly affected the oxidation capacity and ozone formation at the surface and within the lower troposphere over polluted regions and noticeably improved summertime O3 predictions over China.
Min Wei, Caihong Xu, Jianmin Chen, Chao Zhu, Jiarong Li, and Ganglin Lv
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 5253–5270, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5253-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5253-2017, 2017
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Bacterial communities in cloud water collected at the summit of Mt Tai from 24 July to 23 August 2014 were investigated. A highly diverse bacterial community was retrieved. Community function prediction suggested that pathways related to metabolism and disease infections were significantly correlated with the predominant genera. Potential pathogens were enriched in the polluted cloud samples, whereas the diverse ecological function groups were significant in the non-polluted samples.
Jiaping Wang, Aki Virkkula, Yuan Gao, Shuncheng Lee, Yicheng Shen, Xuguang Chi, Wei Nie, Qiang Liu, Zheng Xu, Xin Huang, Tao Wang, Long Cui, and Aijun Ding
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 2653–2671, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-2653-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-2653-2017, 2017
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Multi-year observations at a coastal station in Hong Kong reveals that aerosol optical properties showed clear temporal variations according to the dominant sources of aerosols. LPDM modeling and correlation analysis gave similar signals about the freshness of aerosols during different seasons. Fresh emissions of particles from nearby cities and ship exhausts affected light optical properties and particle size in summer and aged air mass in winter caused larger variability of light extinction.
Shurui Chen, Liang Xu, Yinxiao Zhang, Bing Chen, Xinfeng Wang, Xiaoye Zhang, Mei Zheng, Jianmin Chen, Wenxing Wang, Yele Sun, Pingqing Fu, Zifa Wang, and Weijun Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 1259–1270, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1259-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-1259-2017, 2017
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Many studies have focused on the unusually severe hazes instead of the more frequent light and moderate hazes (22–63 %) in winter in the North China Plain (NCP). The morphology, mixing state, and size of organic aerosols in the L & M hazes were characterized. We conclude that the direct emissions from residential coal stoves without any pollution controls in rural and urban outskirts contribute large amounts of primary OM particles to the regional L & M hazes in winter in the NCP.
Yee Jun Tham, Zhe Wang, Qinyi Li, Hui Yun, Weihao Wang, Xinfeng Wang, Likun Xue, Keding Lu, Nan Ma, Birger Bohn, Xin Li, Simonas Kecorius, Johannes Größ, Min Shao, Alfred Wiedensohler, Yuanhang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 14959–14977, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-14959-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-14959-2016, 2016
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This work addresses the unclear global significance of chlorine activation processes in the troposphere. The first high-quality measurement data set of ClNO2 in northern China revealed strong ClNO2 production in the residual layers, and demonstrated its significant effects on radical budget and ozone production. Our findings imply the widespread effects of ClNO2 over the polluted regions of northern China, which may increase photochemical and haze pollution.
Qinyi Li, Li Zhang, Tao Wang, Yee Jun Tham, Ravan Ahmadov, Likun Xue, Qiang Zhang, and Junyu Zheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 14875–14890, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-14875-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-14875-2016, 2016
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The regional distributions and impacts of N2O5 and ClNO2 remain poorly understood. To address the problem, we developed a chemical transport model further and conducted the first high-resolution simulation of the distributions of the two species. Our research demonstrated the significant impacts of the two gases on the lifetime of nitrogen oxides, secondary nitrate production and ozone formation in southern China and highlighted the necessity of considering this chemistry in air quality models.
Yi Zhu, Jiping Zhang, Junxia Wang, Wenyuan Chen, Yiqun Han, Chunxiang Ye, Yingruo Li, Jun Liu, Limin Zeng, Yusheng Wu, Xinfeng Wang, Wenxing Wang, Jianmin Chen, and Tong Zhu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12551–12565, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12551-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12551-2016, 2016
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With five repeated experiments using a mobile laboratory, we obtained the spatial distribution of major air pollutants over the surface of the North China Plain (NCP). All the pollutants were at high levels, with pollutant peak values in nearby major cities and along transport routes. With simulated wind fields, we identified the prevalent transport routes of air pollutants on different parts of the NCP, reflecting the transport of air pollution between megacities and surrounding regions.
Lei Sun, Likun Xue, Tao Wang, Jian Gao, Aijun Ding, Owen R. Cooper, Meiyun Lin, Pengju Xu, Zhe Wang, Xinfeng Wang, Liang Wen, Yanhong Zhu, Tianshu Chen, Lingxiao Yang, Yan Wang, Jianmin Chen, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 10637–10650, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-10637-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-10637-2016, 2016
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We compiled the available observations of surface O3 at Mt. Tai – the highest mountain in the North China Plain, and found a significant increase of O3 concenrations from 2003 to 2015. The observed O3 increase was mainly due to the increase of O3 precursors, especially VOCs. Our analysis shows that controlling NOx alone, in the absence of VOC controls, is not sufficient to reduce regional O3 levels in North China in a short period.
Likun Xue, Rongrong Gu, Tao Wang, Xinfeng Wang, Sandra Saunders, Donald Blake, Peter K. K. Louie, Connie W. Y. Luk, Isobel Simpson, Zheng Xu, Zhe Wang, Yuan Gao, Shuncheng Lee, Abdelwahid Mellouki, and Wenxing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 9891–9903, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-9891-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-9891-2016, 2016
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The chemical budgets and principal sources of ROx and NO3 radicals during a multi-day photochemical smog episode in Hong Kong are elucidated by an observation-constrained MCM model. NO3 was shown to be an important oxidant even during daytime in a pollution case when high aerosol loading attenuated the solar irradiation. This study suggests the potential important role of daytime NO3 chemistry in polluted atmospheres under conditions with the co-existence of abundant O3, NO2, VOCs, and aerosols.
Xuezhe Xu, Weixiong Zhao, Qilei Zhang, Shuo Wang, Bo Fang, Weidong Chen, Dean S. Venables, Xinfeng Wang, Wei Pu, Xin Wang, Xiaoming Gao, and Weijun Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 6421–6439, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6421-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6421-2016, 2016
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We report on the field measurement of the optical properties and chemical composition of PM1.0 particles in a suburban environment in Beijing during the winter coal heating season. Organic mass was the largest contributor to the total extinction of PM1.0, while EC, owing to its high absorption efficiency, contributed appreciably to PM1.0 extinction and should be a key target to air quality controls. Non-BC absorption from secondary organic aerosol also contributes to particle absorption.
L. K. Xue, S. M. Saunders, T. Wang, R. Gao, X. F. Wang, Q. Z. Zhang, and W. X. Wang
Geosci. Model Dev., 8, 3151–3162, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-3151-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-3151-2015, 2015
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A detailed chemical mechanism including 205 reactions is developed for use in the Master Chemical Mechanism. With this new chlorine mechanism, it was found that the nocturnal formation of ClNO2 has high potential to perturb the next day's atmospheric photochemistry, by enhancing the radical production and cycling, VOC oxidation and O3 formation, in the polluted coastal environments.
T. Li, Y. Wang, W. J. Li, J. M. Chen, T. Wang, and W. X. Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 8987–9002, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-8987-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-8987-2015, 2015
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Twelve trace elements in fine particles and clouds at a mountain site in southern China were investigated.
Long-range transport contributed the most to element concentrations, whereas the YRD and the area around Mt. Lushan exhibited the highest element solubility.
We demonstrated that cloud processing can enhance aerosol element solubility and increase sulfate concentration correspondingly, by irreversibly altering the morphology of metal particles in cloud droplet residues.
L. K. Xue, T. Wang, J. Gao, A. J. Ding, X. H. Zhou, D. R. Blake, X. F. Wang, S. M. Saunders, S. J. Fan, H. C. Zuo, Q. Z. Zhang, and W. X. Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 13175–13188, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13175-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13175-2014, 2014
X. Wang, T. Wang, C. Yan, Y. J. Tham, L. Xue, Z. Xu, and Q. Zha
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-1-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-1-2014, 2014
L. K. Xue, T. Wang, J. Gao, A. J. Ding, X. H. Zhou, D. R. Blake, X. F. Wang, S. M. Saunders, S. J. Fan, H. C. Zuo, Q. Z. Zhang, and W. X. Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-13-27243-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-13-27243-2013, 2013
Revised manuscript not accepted
L. K. Xue, T. Wang, H. Guo, D. R. Blake, J. Tang, X. C. Zhang, S. M. Saunders, and W. X. Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 8551–8567, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-8551-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-8551-2013, 2013
W. Nie, T. Wang, L. K. Xue, A. J. Ding, X. F. Wang, X. M. Gao, Z. Xu, Y. C. Yu, C. Yuan, Z. S. Zhou, R. Gao, X. H. Liu, Y. Wang, S. J. Fan, S. Poon, Q. Z. Zhang, and W. X. Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 11985–11995, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11985-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11985-2012, 2012
Related subject area
Subject: Aerosols | Research Activity: Field Measurements | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Chemistry (chemical composition and reactions)
Advances in characterization of black carbon particles and their associated coatings using the soot-particle aerosol mass spectrometer in Singapore, a complex city environment
Iron isotopes suggest significant aerosol dissolution over the Pacific Ocean
Enrichment of organic nitrogen in fog residuals observed in the Italian Po Valley
Asian dust transport of proteinaceous matter from the Gobi Desert to northern China
Machine-learning-assisted chemical characterization and optical properties of atmospheric brown carbon in Nanjing, China
Technical note: Reconstructing missing surface aerosol elemental carbon data in long-term series with ensemble learning
Enhanced emission of intermediate-volatility/semi-volatile organic matter in gas and particle phases from ship exhausts with low-sulfur fuels
Measurement report: Crustal materials play an increasing role in elevating particle pH – insights from 12-year records in a typical inland city of China
Significant contributions of biomass burning to PM2.5-bound aromatic compounds: insights from field observations and quantum chemical calculations
Measurement report: In-depth characterization of ship emissions during operations in a Mediterranean port
Direct measurement of N2O5 heterogeneous uptake coefficients on atmospheric aerosols in southwestern China and evaluation of current parameterizations
Measurement report: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in particulate matter (PM10) from activated sludge aeration
African dust transported to Barbados in the wintertime lacks indicators of chemical aging
A 60-year atmospheric nitrate isotope record from a southeastern Greenland ice core with minimal postdepositional alteration
Measurement report: Characterization of aerosol hygroscopicity over Southeast Asia during the NASA CAMP2Ex campaign
Individual particle compositions and aerosol mixing states at different altitudes over the ocean in East Asia
Molecular characterization of organic aerosols in urban and forested areas of Paris using high-resolution mass spectrometry
Measurement report: Wintertime aerosol characterization at an urban traffic site in Helsinki, Finland
Source apportionment and ecotoxicity of PM2.5 pollution events in a major Southern Hemisphere megacity: influence of a biofuel-impacted fleet and biomass burning
The impacts of pollution sources and temperature on the light absorption of HULIS were revealed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS at the molecular structure level
Effects of Anthropogenic Pollutants on Biogenic Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation in the Atmosphere of Mt. Hua, China
Marine organic aerosol at Mace Head: effects from phytoplankton and source region variability
Elemental composition, iron mineralogy and solubility of anthropogenic and natural mineral dust aerosols in Namibia: a case study analysis from the AEROCLO-sA campaign
Fossil-Dominated SOA Formation in Coastal China: Size-Divergent Pathways of Aqueous Fenton Reactions versus Gas-phase VOC Autoxidation
Measurement report: Sources and meteorology influencing highly time-resolved PM2.5 trace elements at three urban sites in the extremely polluted Indo-Gangetic Plain in India
Formation of highly absorptive secondary brown carbon through nighttime multiphase chemistry of biomass burning emissions
Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) Formation under Urban and Marine Atmosphere: role of aerosol ionic strength
Measurement report: Vertically resolved atmospheric properties observed over the Southern Great Plains with the ArcticShark uncrewed aerial system
Technical note: Towards a stronger observational support for haze pollution control by interpreting carbonaceous aerosol results derived from different measurement approaches
Non-biogenic sources are an important but overlooked contributor to aerosol isoprene-derived organosulfates during winter in northern China
Unveiling single-particle composition, size, shape, and mixing state of freshly emitted Icelandic dust via electron microscopy analysis
The Critical Role of Volatile Organic Compounds Emission in Nitrate Formation in Lhasa, Tibetan Plateau: Insights from Oxygen Isotope Anomaly Measurements
The critical role of aqueous-phase processes in aromatic-derived nitrogen-containing organic aerosol formation in cities with different energy consumption patterns
Characterization of atmospheric water-soluble brown carbon in the Athabasca oil sands region, Canada
Sensitivity of aerosol and cloud properties to coupling strength of marine boundary layer clouds over the northwest Atlantic
Measurement Report: Molecular composition, sources, and evolution of atmospheric organic aerosols in a basin city in China
Burning conditions and transportation pathways determine biomass-burning aerosol properties in the Ascension Island marine boundary layer
Observations of high-time-resolution and size-resolved aerosol chemical composition and microphysics in the central Arctic: implications for climate-relevant particle properties
Measurement report: Brown carbon aerosol in rural Germany – sources, chemistry, and diurnal variations
Particle flux-gradient relationships in the high Arctic: Emission and deposition patterns across three surface types
Climatology of aerosol pH and its controlling factors at the Melpitz continental background site in central Europe
Atmospheric chemistry in East Asia determines the iron solubility of aerosol particles supplied to the North Pacific Ocean
Measurement Report: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated (RPAHs), nitrated (NPAHs) and oxygenated (OPAHs) derivatives in the global marine atmosphere: occurrence, spatial variations, and source apportionment
Multiple eco-regions contribute to the seasonal cycle of Antarctic aerosol size distributions
Seasonal investigation of ultrafine-particle organic composition in an eastern Amazonian rainforest
Characterizing lead-rich particles in Beijing's atmosphere following coal-to-gas conversion: Insights from single particle aerosol mass spectrometry
Contrasting solubility and speciation of metal ions in total suspended particulate matter and fog from the coast of Namibia
Significant secondary formation of nitrogenous organic aerosols in an urban atmosphere revealed by bihourly measurements of bulk organic nitrogen and comprehensive molecular markers
High-resolution analyses of concentrations and sizes of refractory black carbon particles deposited in northwestern Greenland over the past 350 years – Part 2: Seasonal and temporal trends in refractory black carbon originated from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning
On the presence of high nitrite (NO2-) in coarse particles at Mt. Qomolangma
Mutian Ma, Laura-Hélèna Rivellini, Yichen Zong, Markus Kraft, Liya E. Yu, and Alex King Yin Lee
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8185–8211, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8185-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8185-2025, 2025
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This work advances our understanding of the emission and atmospheric evolution of black carbon (BC) particles in Singapore, a complex urban environment impacted by multiple local and regional combustion sources, based on the improved source apportionment analysis of real-time aerosol mass spectrometry measurement.
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8213–8228, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025, 2025
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This paper presents the chemical and iron isotopic composition of aerosols (> 1 µm) over the equatorial and tropical Pacific Ocean in previously undocumented areas. Analysis of our data suggests that a significant proportion of aerosol iron (∼ 13 %) is not only dissolved but also removed during atmospheric transport. Such removal had not previously been evidenced to our knowledge. This highlights the unique and strong constraints brought by iron isotopes on atmospheric process studies.
Fredrik Mattsson, Almuth Neuberger, Liine Heikkinen, Yvette Gramlich, Marco Paglione, Matteo Rinaldi, Stefano Decesari, Paul Zieger, Ilona Riipinen, and Claudia Mohr
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7973–7989, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7973-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7973-2025, 2025
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This study investigated aerosol–cloud interactions, focusing on organic nitrogen (ON) formation in the aqueous phase. Measurements were conducted in wintertime in the Po Valley, Italy, using aerosol mass spectrometry. The fog was enriched in more hygroscopic inorganic compounds and ON, containing, e.g., imidazoles. The formation of imidazole by aerosol–fog interactions could be confirmed for the first time in atmospheric observations. Findings highlight the role of fog in nitrogen aerosol formation.
Ren-Guo Zhu, Hua-Yun Xiao, Meiju Yin, Hao Xiao, Zhongkui Zhou, Yuanyuan Pan, Guo Wei, and Cheng Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7699–7718, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7699-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7699-2025, 2025
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The concentrations and δ15N isotopic values of CAAs (combined amino acids) in surface soil and plants from the Gobi Desert, as well as in PM2.5 samples from four cities in Northern China, were measured. CAAs transported by Gobi dust were rich in alanine, glycine and glutamic acid. Glycine and leucine in Gobi Desert sources exhibited δ15N depletion by more than 6 ‰ compared to their values in urban PM2.5. Substantial protein-N deposition can be transported by the Gobi Desert to northern China over brief periods.
Yu Huang, Xingru Li, Dan Dan Huang, Ruoyuan Lei, Binhuang Zhou, Yunjiang Zhang, and Xinlei Ge
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7619–7645, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7619-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7619-2025, 2025
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This work comprises a comprehensive investigation into the chemical and optical properties of brown carbon (BrC) in PM2.5 samples collected in Nanjing, China. In particular, we used a machine learning approach to identify a list of key BrC species, which can be a good reference for future studies. Our findings extend understanding of BrC properties and are valuable to the assessment of BrC's impact on air quality and radiative forcing.
Qingxiao Meng, Yunjiang Zhang, Sheng Zhong, Jie Fang, Lili Tang, Yongcai Rao, Minfeng Zhou, Jian Qiu, Xiaofeng Xu, Jean-Eudes Petit, Olivier Favez, and Xinlei Ge
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7485–7498, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7485-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7485-2025, 2025
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We developed a machine-learning-based method to reconstruct missing elemental carbon (EC) data in four Chinese cities from 2013 to 2023. Using machine learning, we filled data gaps and introduced a new approach to analyze EC trends. Our findings reveal a significant decline in EC due to stricter pollution controls, though this slowed after 2020. This study provides a versatile framework for addressing data gaps and supports strategies to reduce urban air pollution and its climate impacts.
Binyu Xiao, Fan Zhang, Zeyu Liu, Yan Zhang, Rui Li, Can Wu, Xinyi Wan, Yi Wang, Yubao Chen, Yong Han, Min Cui, Libo Zhang, Yingjun Chen, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7053–7069, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7053-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7053-2025, 2025
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Intermediate-volatility/semi-volatile organic compounds in gas and particle phases from ship exhausts are enhanced due to the switch of fuels from low sulfur to ultra-low sulfur. The findings indicate that optimization is necessary for the forthcoming global implementation of an ultra-low-sulfur oil policy. Besides, we find that organic diagnostic markers of hopanes in conjunction with the ratio of octadecanoic to tetradecanoic could be considered potential tracers for heavy fuel oil exhausts.
Hongyu Zhang, Shenbo Wang, Zhangsen Dong, Xiao Li, and Ruiqin Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6943–6955, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6943-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6943-2025, 2025
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Analyzing 12-year Zhengzhou data revealed post-2019 crustal material rebound caused by soil dust resuspension, elevating particle pH. Similar coarse particle increases are observed across cities of the North China Plain. Long-term particle acidity evolution in this region requires an integrated assessment of interactions among acidic precursors, ammonia, and crustal components.
Yanqin Ren, Zhenhai Wu, Fang Bi, Hong Li, Haijie Zhang, Junling Li, Rui Gao, Fangyun Long, Zhengyang Liu, Yuanyuan Ji, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6975–6990, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6975-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6975-2025, 2025
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The daily concentrations of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), and nitrated phenols (NPs) in PM2.5 were all increased during the heating season. Biomass burning was identified to be the primary source of these aromatic compounds, particularly for PAHs. Phenol and nitrobenzene are two main primary precursors for 4NP, with phenol showing lower reaction barriers. P-Cresol was identified as the primary precursor for the formation of 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol.
Lise Le Berre, Brice Temime-Roussel, Grazia Maria Lanzafame, Barbara D'Anna, Nicolas Marchand, Stéphane Sauvage, Marvin Dufresne, Liselotte Tinel, Thierry Leonardis, Joel Ferreira de Brito, Alexandre Armengaud, Grégory Gille, Ludovic Lanzi, Romain Bourjot, and Henri Wortham
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6575–6605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6575-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6575-2025, 2025
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A summer campaign in a Mediterranean port examined pollution caused by ships. Two stations in the port measured pollution levels and captured over 350 ship plumes to study their chemical composition. Results showed that pollution levels, such as ultra-fine particles, were higher in the port than in the city and offer strong support to improve emission inventories. These findings may also serve as reference to assess the benefits of a sulfur Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean in 2025.
Jiayin Li, Tianyu Zhai, Xiaorui Chen, Haichao Wang, Shuyang Xie, Shiyi Chen, Chunmeng Li, Yuanjun Gong, Huabin Dong, and Keding Lu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6395–6406, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6395-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6395-2025, 2025
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We directly measured the dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) uptake coefficient using an aerosol flow tube, which critically impacts the NOx fate and particulate nitrate formation in a typical highland city, Kunming, in China. We found that the performance of current γ (N2O5) parameterizations showed deviations with the varying aerosol liquid water content (ALWC). Such differences would lead to biased estimation of particulate nitrate production potential. We give suggestions for future research directions.
Jishnu Pandamkulangara Kizhakkethil, Zongbo Shi, Anna Bogush, and Ivan Kourtchev
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5947–5958, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5947-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5947-2025, 2025
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Pollution with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has received attention due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, but their sources remain poorly understood. PM10 (particulate matter) collected above a scaled-down activated sludge tank treating domestic sewage in the UK was analysed for a range of short-, medium-, and long-chain PFAS. Eight PFAS were detected in the PM10. Our results suggest that wastewater treatment processes, i.e. activated sludge aeration, could aerosolise PFAS into airborne PM.
Haley M. Royer, Michael T. Sheridan, Hope E. Elliott, Edmund Blades, Nurun Nahar Lata, Zezhen Cheng, Swarup China, Zihua Zhu, Andrew P. Ault, and Cassandra J. Gaston
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5743–5759, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5743-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5743-2025, 2025
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Saharan dust transported across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, South America, and North America is hypothesized to undergo chemical processing by acids that enhances cloud droplet formation and nutrient availability. In this study, chemical analysis performed on African dust deposited over Barbados shows that acid tracers are found mostly on sea salt and smoke particles, rather than dust, indicating that dust particles undergo minimal chemical processing.
Zhao Wei, Shohei Hattori, Asuka Tsuruta, Zhuang Jiang, Sakiko Ishino, Koji Fujita, Sumito Matoba, Lei Geng, Alexis Lamothe, Ryu Uemura, Naohiro Yoshida, Joel Savarino, and Yoshinori Iizuka
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5727–5742, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5727-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5727-2025, 2025
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Nitrate isotope records in ice cores reveal changes in NOₓ emissions and atmospheric oxidation chemistry driven by human activity. However, UV-driven postdepositional processes can alter nitrate in snow, making snow accumulation rates critical for preserving these records. This study examines nitrate isotopes in a southeastern Greenland ice core, where high snow accumulation minimizes these effects, providing a reliable archive of atmospheric nitrogen cycling.
Genevieve Rose Lorenzo, Luke D. Ziemba, Avelino F. Arellano, Mary C. Barth, Ewan C. Crosbie, Joshua P. DiGangi, Glenn S. Diskin, Richard Ferrare, Miguel Ricardo A. Hilario, Michael A. Shook, Simone Tilmes, Jian Wang, Qian Xiao, Jun Zhang, and Armin Sorooshian
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5469–5495, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5469-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5469-2025, 2025
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Novel aerosol hygroscopicity analyses of CAMP2Ex (Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment) field campaign data show low aerosol hygroscopicity values in Southeast Asia. Organic carbon from smoke decreases hygroscopicity to levels more like those in continental than in polluted marine regions. Hygroscopicity changes at cloud level demonstrate how surface particles impact clouds in the region, affecting model representation of aerosol and cloud interactions in similar polluted marine regions with high organic carbon emissions.
Kouji Adachi, Atsushi Yoshida, Tatsuhiro Mori, Nobuhiro Moteki, Sho Ohata, Kazuyuki Kita, Yoshimi Kawai, and Makoto Koike
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2230, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2230, 2025
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This study measured the compositions and mixing states of individual aerosol particles collected at different altitudes over the western North Pacific by simultaneous sampling from an aircraft and a research vessel. The results showed that they were strongly influenced by Siberian Forest biomass burning and mixed with sea spray, and identified various aerosol compositions at different altitudes, sizes, and aerosol sources, highlighting a wide range of individual particle compositions.
Diana L. Pereira, Chiara Giorio, Aline Gratien, Alexander Zherebker, Gael Noyalet, Servanne Chevaillier, Stéphanie Alage, Elie Almarj, Antonin Bergé, Thomas Bertin, Mathieu Cazaunau, Patrice Coll, Ludovico Di Antonio, Sergio Harb, Johannes Heuser, Cécile Gaimoz, Oscar Guillemant, Brigitte Language, Olivier Lauret, Camilo Macias, Franck Maisonneuve, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Raquel Torres, Sylvain Triquet, Pascal Zapf, Lelia Hawkins, Drew Pronovost, Sydney Riley, Pierre-Marie Flaud, Emilie Perraudin, Pauline Pouyes, Eric Villenave, Alexandre Albinet, Olivier Favez, Robin Aujay-Plouzeau, Vincent Michoud, Christopher Cantrell, Manuela Cirtog, Claudia Di Biagio, Jean-François Doussin, and Paola Formenti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4885–4905, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4885-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4885-2025, 2025
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In order to study aerosols in environments influenced by anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, we performed analyses of samples collected during the ACROSS (Atmospheric Chemistry Of the Suburban Forest) campaign in summer 2022 in the greater Paris area. After analysis of the chemical composition by means of total carbon determination and high-resolution mass spectrometry, this work highlights the influence of anthropogenic inputs on the chemical composition of both urban and forested areas.
Kimmo Teinilä, Sanna Saarikoski, Henna Lintusaari, Teemu Lepistö, Petteri Marjanen, Minna Aurela, Heidi Hellén, Toni Tykkä, Markus Lampimäki, Janne Lampilahti, Luis Barreira, Timo Mäkelä, Leena Kangas, Juha Hatakka, Sami Harni, Joel Kuula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Harri Portin, Jaakko Yli-Ojanperä, Ville Niemelä, Milja Jäppi, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Joonas Vanhanen, Liisa Pirjola, Hanna E. Manninen, Tuukka Petäjä, Topi Rönkkö, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4907–4928, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4907-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4907-2025, 2025
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Physical and chemical properties of particulate matter and concentrations of trace gases were measured in a street canyon in Helsinki, Finland, and an urban background site in January–February 2022 to investigate the effect of wintertime conditions on pollutants. State-of-the-art instruments and a mobile laboratory were used, and the measurement data were analysed further with modelling tools like positive matrix factorization and the Pollution Detection Algorithm.
Guilherme Martins Pereira, Leonardo Yoshiaki Kamigauti, Rubens Fabio Pereira, Djacinto Monteiro dos Santos, Thayná da Silva Santos, José Vinicius Martins, Célia Alves, Cátia Gonçalves, Ismael Casotti Rienda, Nora Kováts, Thiago Nogueira, Luciana Rizzo, Paulo Artaxo, Regina Maura de Miranda, Marcia Akemi Yamasoe, Edmilson Dias de Freitas, Pérola de Castro Vasconcellos, and Maria de Fatima Andrade
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4587–4616, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4587-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4587-2025, 2025
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The chemical composition of fine particulate matter was studied in the megacity of São Paulo (Brazil) during a polluted period. Vehicular-related sources remain relevant; however, a high contribution of biomass burning was observed and correlated with sample ecotoxicity. Emerging biomass burning sources, such as forest fires and sugarcane-bagasse-based power plants, highlight the need for additional control measures alongside stricter rules concerning vehicular emissions.
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1808, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1808, 2025
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Our research reveals that some species from biomass burning and coal combustion dominate the light absorption of organic aerosols during winter. Cold weather helps these species accumulate in aerosols by slowing their degradation and altering atmospheric chemical processes. This means colder regions might experience stronger and more persistent climate impacts. Our findings highlight the importance of local temperatures and pollution sources when tackling climate challenges.
Can Wu, Yubao Chen, Yuwei Sun, Huijun Zhang, Si Zhang, Cong Cao, Jianjun Li, and Gehui Wang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1668, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1668, 2025
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Biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA), as an important atmospheric component, is prevalent within the boundary layer and can influence air quality and human health. Our observations demonstrate that anthropogenic NOx and the enhanced aerosol water driven by sulfate inhibit BSOA formation in lifting air masses, leading to a moderate reduction in the SOA burden in the upper boundary layer.
Emmanuel Chevassus, Kirsten N. Fossum, Darius Ceburnis, Lu Lei, Chunshui Lin, Wei Xu, Colin O'Dowd, and Jurgita Ovadnevaite
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4107–4129, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4107-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4107-2025, 2025
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This study presents the first source apportionment of organic aerosol at Mace Head via high-resolution mass spectrometry. Introducing transfer entropy as a novel method reveals that aged organic aerosol originates from both open-ocean ozonolysis and local peat-burning oxidation. Methanesulfonic acid and organic sea spray both mirror phytoplankton activity, with the former closely tied to coccolithophore blooms and the latter linked to diatoms, chlorophytes, and cyanobacteria.
Paola Formenti, Chiara Giorio, Karine Desboeufs, Alexander Zherebker, Marco Gaetani, Clarissa Baldo, Gautier Landrot, Simona Montebello, Servanne Chevaillier, Sylvain Triquet, Guillaume Siour, Claudia Di Biagio, Francesco Battaglia, Jean-François Doussin, Anais Feron, Andreas Namwoonde, and Stuart John Piketh
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-446, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-446, 2025
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The elemental composition and solubility of several metals, including iron, at a coastal site in Namibia in August–September 2017, indicate that natural and anthropogenic dust had different solubility depending on mineralogy but mostly to the processing by fluoride ions from marine emissions, pointing out to the complexity of atmospheric/oceanic interactions in this region of the world influenced by the Benguela current and significant aerosol load.
Jia-Yuan Wang, Meng-Xue Tang, Shan Lu, Ke-Jin Tang, Xing Peng, Ling-Yan He, and Xiao-Feng Huang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1034, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1034, 2025
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Our study explores how secondary organic aerosols (SOA), a major component of air pollution, form in different particle sizes in a coastal city in China. We found that SOA in fine particles is mainly produced through aqueous chemical reactions, especially those involving iron. In contrast, coarse particles form SOA through reactions with ozone and gases from both fossil fuels and natural sources. These findings highlight the need for size-specific air pollution models.
Ashutosh K. Shukla, Sachchida N. Tripathi, Shamitaksha Talukdar, Vishnu Murari, Sreenivas Gaddamidi, Manousos-Ioannis Manousakas, Vipul Lalchandani, Kuldeep Dixit, Vinayak M. Ruge, Peeyush Khare, Mayank Kumar, Vikram Singh, Neeraj Rastogi, Suresh Tiwari, Atul K. Srivastava, Dilip Ganguly, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, and André S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3765–3784, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3765-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3765-2025, 2025
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Our study delves into the elemental composition of aerosols at three sites across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), revealing distinct patterns during pollution episodes. We found significant increases in chlorine (Cl)-rich and solid fuel combustion (SFC) sources, indicating dynamic emission sources, agricultural burning impacts, and meteorological influences. Surges in Cl-rich particles during cold periods highlight their role in particle growth under high-relative-humidity conditions.
Ye Kuang, Biao Luo, Shan Huang, Junwen Liu, Weiwei Hu, Yuwen Peng, Duohong Chen, Dingli Yue, Wanyun Xu, Bin Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3737–3752, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3737-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3737-2025, 2025
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This research reveals the potential importance of nighttime NO3 radical chemistry and aerosol water in the rapid formation of secondary brown carbon from diluted biomass burning emissions. The findings enhance our understanding of nighttime biomass burning evolution and its implications for climate and regional air quality, especially regarding interactions with background aerosol water and water-rich fogs and clouds.
Rongshuang Xu, Yu-Chi Lin, Siyu Bian, Feng Xie, and Yan-Lin Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-683, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-683, 2025
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This work reported the hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) level in a continental city and, for the first time, in marine atmosphere. The enhancement by aerosol ionic strength (IS) on HMS formation was quantified which first rise with increasing IS, peaking at 4 mol kg–1 before declining. Given the IS range of marine (2–6) and urban aerosol (6–20 mol kg–1) and the clearly negative correlation between humidity and IS, the moderate IS level under humid condition may notably boost ambient HMS formation.
Fan Mei, Qi Zhang, Damao Zhang, Jerome D. Fast, Gourihar Kulkarni, Mikhail S. Pekour, Christopher R. Niedek, Susanne Glienke, Israel Silber, Beat Schmid, Jason M. Tomlinson, Hardeep S. Mehta, Xena Mansoura, Zezhen Cheng, Gregory W. Vandergrift, Nurun Nahar Lata, Swarup China, and Zihua Zhu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3425–3444, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3425-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3425-2025, 2025
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This study highlights the unique capability of the ArcticShark, an uncrewed aerial system, in measuring vertically resolved atmospheric properties. Data from 32 research flights in 2023 reveal seasonal patterns and correlations with conventional measurements. The consistency and complementarity of in situ and remote sensing methods are highlighted. The study demonstrates the ArcticShark’s versatility in bridging data gaps and improving the understanding of vertical atmospheric structures.
Yuan Cheng, Ying-jie Zhong, Zhi-qing Zhang, Xu-bing Cao, and Jiu-meng Liu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-537, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-537, 2025
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As an emerging hotspot of atmospheric sciences, Northeast China is distinct due to the frigid winter and the strong emissions from agricultural fires. Based on field campaigns conducted in Harbin, we successively identified the analytical method that could lead to proper results of organic and elemental carbon. Our results are believed to be a support for future efforts on exploration of the PM2.5 sources in Northeast China, which are essential for further improving the regional air quality.
Ting Yang, Yu Xu, Yu-Chen Wang, Yi-Jia Ma, Hong-Wei Xiao, Hao Xiao, and Hua-Yun Xiao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2967–2978, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2967-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2967-2025, 2025
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Previous measurement–model comparisons of atmospheric isoprene levels showed a significant unidentified source of isoprene in some northern Chinese cities during winter. Here, the first combination of large-scale observations and field combustion experiments provides novel insights into biomass burning emissions as a significant source of isoprene-derived organosulfates during winter in northern cities of China.
Agnesh Panta, Konrad Kandler, Kerstin Schepanski, Andres Alastuey, Pavla Dagsson Waldhauserova, Sylvain Dupont, Melanie Eknayan, Cristina González-Flórez, Adolfo González-Romero, Martina Klose, Mara Montag, Xavier Querol, Jesús Yus-Díez, and Carlos Pérez García-Pando
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-494, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-494, 2025
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Iceland is among the most active dust source areas in the world. Dust properties are influenced by particle size, mineralogy, shape, and mixing state. This work characterizes freshly emitted individual aerosol particles of Icelandic dust using electron microscopy. Our study provides insights into critical particle-specific information will contribute to better constraining climate models that consider mineralogical variations in their representation of the dust cycle.
Xueqin Zheng, Junwen Liu, Nima Chuduo, Bian Ba, Pengfei Yu, Phu Drolgar, Fang Cao, and Yanlin Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-164, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-164, 2025
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In this study, we present the first report on the annual variation of stable oxygen isotope anomalies (∆17O = δ17O - 0.52 × δ18O) in NO3- collected from the urban area of Lhasa , on the Tibetan Plateau, China. Using a Bayesian isotope mixture model, we found that the relative contribution of the NO3+VOC pathway to NO3- formation in spring in Lhasa was several times higher than in urban cities, highlighting the significant influence of VOC transported from outside the Tibetan Plateau.
Yi-Jia Ma, Yu Xu, Ting Yang, Lin Gui, Hong-Wei Xiao, Hao Xiao, and Hua-Yun Xiao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2763–2780, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2763-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2763-2025, 2025
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The abundance, potential precursors, and main formation mechanisms of nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) in PM2.5 during winter were compared among cities with different energy consumption patterns. The aerosol NOC pollution during winter in China is closely associated with the intensity of precursor emissions and the aqueous-phase processes. Our results highlight the importance of emission reduction strategies in controlling aerosol NOCs pollution during winter in China.
Dane Blanchard, Mark Gordon, Duc Huy Dang, Paul Andrew Makar, and Julian Aherne
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2423–2442, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2423-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2423-2025, 2025
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This study offers the first known evaluation of water-soluble brown carbon aerosols in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR), Canada. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of aerosol samples from five regional sites (collected during the summer of 2021) identified oil sands operations as a measurable brown carbon source. Industrial aerosol emissions were unlikely to impact regional radiative forcing. These findings show that fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to monitor brown carbon in the AOSR.
Kira Zeider, Kayla McCauley, Sanja Dmitrovic, Leong Wai Siu, Yonghoon Choi, Ewan C. Crosbie, Joshua P. DiGangi, Glenn S. Diskin, Simon Kirschler, John B. Nowak, Michael A. Shook, Kenneth L. Thornhill, Christiane Voigt, Edward L. Winstead, Luke D. Ziemba, Paquita Zuidema, and Armin Sorooshian
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2407–2422, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2407-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2407-2025, 2025
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In situ aircraft data collected over the northwest Atlantic Ocean are utilized to compare aerosol conditions and turbulence between near-surface and below-cloud-base altitudes for different regimes of coupling strength between those two levels, along with how cloud microphysical properties vary across those regimes. Stronger coupling yields more homogenous aerosol structure vertically along with higher cloud drop concentrations and sea salt influence in clouds.
Junke Zhang, Xinyi Fu, Chunying Chen, Yunfei Su, Siyu Liu, Luyao Chen, Yubao Chen, Gehui Wang, and Andre S. H. Prevot
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-92, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-92, 2025
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The 125 organic aerosol (OA) compounds in PM2.5 in winter in Chengdu were measured at the molecular level. OA was dominated by fatty acids, phthalate esters, and anhydrosugars, and were deeply influenced by anthropogenic sources. As pollution worsens: secondary inorganic species and secondary organic carbon (OC) dominated the increase in PM2.5; fatty acids and anhydrosugars dominated the increase in OA; and the contribution of secondary formation and biomass burning to OC increased markedly.
Amie Dobracki, Ernie R. Lewis, Arthur J. Sedlacek III, Tyler Tatro, Maria A. Zawadowicz, and Paquita Zuidema
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2333–2363, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2333-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2333-2025, 2025
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Biomass-burning aerosol is commonly present in the marine boundary layer over the southeast Atlantic Ocean between June and October. Our research indicates that burning conditions, aerosol transport pathways, and prolonged oxidation processes (heterogeneous and aqueous phases) determine the chemical, microphysical, and optical properties of the boundary layer aerosol. Notably, we find that the aerosol optical properties can be estimated from the chemical properties alone.
Benjamin Heutte, Nora Bergner, Hélène Angot, Jakob B. Pernov, Lubna Dada, Jessica A. Mirrielees, Ivo Beck, Andrea Baccarini, Matthew Boyer, Jessie M. Creamean, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Imad El Haddad, Markus M. Frey, Silvia Henning, Tiia Laurila, Vaios Moschos, Tuukka Petäjä, Kerri A. Pratt, Lauriane L. J. Quéléver, Matthew D. Shupe, Paul Zieger, Tuija Jokinen, and Julia Schmale
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2207–2241, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2207-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2207-2025, 2025
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Limited aerosol measurements in the central Arctic hinder our understanding of aerosol–climate interactions in the region. Our year-long observations of aerosol physicochemical properties during the MOSAiC expedition reveal strong seasonal variations in aerosol chemical composition, where the short-term variability is heavily affected by storms in the Arctic. Local wind-generated particles are shown to be an important source of cloud seeds, especially in autumn.
Feng Jiang, Harald Saathoff, Uzoamaka Ezenobi, Junwei Song, Hengheng Zhang, Linyu Gao, and Thomas Leisner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1917–1930, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1917-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1917-2025, 2025
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The chemical composition of brown carbon in the particle and gas phase was determined by mass spectrometry. BrC in the gas phase was mainly controlled by secondary formation and particle-to-gas partitioning. BrC in the particle phase was mainly from secondary formation. This work helps to get a better understanding of diurnal variations and the sources of brown carbon aerosol at a rural location in central Europe.
Theresa Mathes, Heather Guy, John Prytherch, Julia Kojoj, Ian Brooks, Sonja Murto, Paul Zieger, Birgit Wehner, Michael Tjernström, and Andreas Held
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-183, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-183, 2025
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The Arctic is warming faster than the global average and aerosol-cloud-sea-ice interactions are crucial for studying its climate system. During the ARTofMELT Expedition 2023, particle and sensible heat fluxes were measured over multiple surfaces. Wide lead surfaces acted as particle sources with the strongest sensible heat fluxes, while closed ice surfaces acted as a particle sink. This study improves methods to measure these interactions, enhancing our understanding of Arctic climate processes.
Vikram Pratap, Christopher J. Hennigan, Bastian Stieger, Andreas Tilgner, Laurent Poulain, Dominik van Pinxteren, Gerald Spindler, and Hartmut Herrmann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-457, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-457, 2025
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In this work, we characterize trends in aerosol pH and its controlling factors over the period of 2010 – 2019 at the Melpitz research station in eastern Germany. We find strong trends in aerosol pH and major inorganic species in response to changing emissions. We conduct a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the aerosol system and discuss implications for controlling PM2.5 in the region.
Kohei Sakata, Shotaro Takano, Atsushi Matsuki, Yasuo Takeichi, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Aya Sakaguchi, Minako Kurisu, and Yoshio Takahashi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-161, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-161, 2025
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Deposition of aerosol iron (Fe) into the ocean stimulates primary production and influences the global carbon cycle, although the factors governing the aerosol Fe solubility remain uncertain. Our observations in Japan revealed that both mineral dust and anthropogenic aerosols are significant sources of dissolved Fe, and that atmospheric chemical weathering enhances their solubility. This finding is expected to play a crucial role in estimating the supply of dissolved iron to the ocean.
Rui Li, Yubing Shen, Yumeng Shao, Yining Gao, Ziwei Yao, Qian Liu, Xing Liu, and Guitao Shi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3740, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3740, 2025
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It is the first time to reveal the global variations of PAHs derivatives in the marine air. We found that marine aerosols in East China Sea (ECS) and Western Pacific (WP) were significantly affected by coal and engine combustion, while those in Bismarck Sea (BS) and East Australian Sea (EAS) were mainly influenced by wildfire and coal combustion. Antarctic Ocean (AO) was dominated by biomass burning and local shipping emissions. This finding help elucidate the mechanism of global PAH cycle.
James Brean, David C. S. Beddows, Eija Asmi, Aki Virkkula, Lauriane L. J. Quéléver, Mikko Sipilä, Floortje Van Den Heuvel, Thomas Lachlan-Cope, Anna Jones, Markus Frey, Angelo Lupi, Jiyeon Park, Young Jun Yoon, Rolf Weller, Giselle L. Marincovich, Gabriela C. Mulena, Roy M. Harrison, and Manuel Dall'Osto
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1145–1162, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1145-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1145-2025, 2025
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Our results emphasise how understanding the geographical variation in surface types across the Antarctic is key to understanding secondary aerosol sources.
Adam E. Thomas, Hayley S. Glicker, Alex B. Guenther, Roger Seco, Oscar Vega Bustillos, Julio Tota, Rodrigo A. F. Souza, and James N. Smith
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 959–977, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-959-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-959-2025, 2025
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We present measurements of the organic composition of ultrafine particles collected from the eastern Amazon, an understudied region that is subjected to increasing human influence. We find that while isoprene chemistry is likely significant for ultrafine-particle growth throughout the year, compounds related to other sources, such as biological-spore emissions and biomass burning, exhibit striking seasonal differences, implying extensive variation in regional ultrafine-particle sources.
Xiufeng Lian, Yongjiang Xu, Fengxian Liu, Long Peng, Xiaodong Hu, Guigang Tang, Xu Dao, Hui Guo, Liwei Wang, Bo Huang, Chunlei Cheng, Lei Li, Guohua Zhang, Xinhui Bi, Xiaofei Wang, Zhen Zhou, and Mei Li
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3469, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3469, 2025
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In this study, we analyzed the mixing state and atmospheric chemical processes of Pb-rich single particles in Beijing. Then, we focused on analyzing the differences in Pb-rich particles between the heating period and non-heating period, as well as the formation mechanism of lead nitrate after coal-to-gas conversion. Our results highlighted the improvement of coal-to-gas conversion on Pb in the particulate.
Chiara Giorio, Anne Monod, Valerio Di Marco, Pierre Herckes, Denise Napolitano, Amy Sullivan, Gautier Landrot, Daniel Warnes, Marika Nasti, Sara D'Aronco, Agathe Gérardin, Nicolas Brun, Karine Desboeufs, Sylvain Triquet, Servanne Chevaillier, Claudia Di Biagio, Francesco Battaglia, Frédéric Burnet, Stuart J. Piketh, Andreas Namwoonde, Jean-François Doussin, and Paola Formenti
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4140, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4140, 2025
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A comparison between the solubility of trace metals in pairs of total suspended particulate (TSP) and fog water samples collected in Henties Bay, Namibia, during the AEROCLO-sA field campaign is presented. We found enhanced solubility of metals in fog samples which we attributed to metal-ligand complexes formation in the early stages of particle activation into droplets which can then remain in a kinetically stable form in fog or lead to the formation of colloidal nanoparticles.
Xu Yu, Min Zhou, Shuhui Zhu, Liping Qiao, Jinjian Li, Yingge Ma, Zijing Zhang, Kezheng Liao, Hongli Wang, and Jian Zhen Yu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4103, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4103, 2025
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Online measurements of bulk aerosol organic nitrogen (ON), in conjunction with a comprehensive array of source markers, have revealed five emission sources and five potentially significant formation processes of nitrogenous organic aerosols. This study provides first quantitative source analysis of ON aerosol and valuable observational evidence on secondary ON aerosol formation through NH3 and NOx chemistries.
Kumiko Goto-Azuma, Yoshimi Ogawa-Tsukagawa, Kaori Fukuda, Koji Fujita, Motohiro Hirabayashi, Remi Dallmayr, Jun Ogata, Nobuhiro Moteki, Tatsuhiro Mori, Sho Ohata, Yutaka Kondo, Makoto Koike, Sumito Matoba, Moe Kadota, Akane Tsushima, Naoko Nagatsuka, and Teruo Aoki
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 657–683, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-657-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-657-2025, 2025
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Monthly ice core records spanning 350 years from Greenland show trends in refractory black carbon (rBC) concentrations and sizes. rBC levels have increased since the 1870s due to the inflow of anthropogenic rBC, with larger diameters than those from biomass burning (BB) rBC. High summer BB rBC peaks may reduce the ice sheet albedo, but BB rBC showed no increase until the early 2000s. These results are vital for validating aerosol and climate models.
Zhongyi Zhang, Chunxiang Ye, Yichao Wu, Tao Zhou, Pengfei Chen, Shichang Kang, Chong Zhang, Zhuang Jiang, and Lei Geng
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4165, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4165, 2025
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This study reveals unexpectedly high levels of particulate nitrite at the Base Camp of Mt. Qomolangma, which overwhelmingly exists in coarse mode, and demonstrates that lofted surface soil contributes to the high levels of nitrite. Once lofted into atmosphere, the soil-derived nitrite is likely to participate in atmospheric reactive nitrogen cycling through gas-particle partitioning or photolysis, leading to the production of HONO, OH and NO and thereby influencing oxidation chemistry.
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Short summary
We present the first piece of observational evidence of the increasing trend of fine nitrate aerosol in the North China Plain (NCP) during 2005–2015. The summertime nitrate formation mechanism is dissected with a multiphase chemical box model based on observations at three different sites. The nitrate formation is most sensitive to NO2 and to a lesser extent to O3. NH3 plays a significant role in prompting the nitrate formation, but it is usually in excess in summer in the NCP region.
We present the first piece of observational evidence of the increasing trend of fine nitrate...
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