Articles | Volume 20, issue 23
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15427-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15427-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Measurement report: Source and mixing state of black carbon aerosol in the North China Plain: implications for radiative effect
Qiyuan Wang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change,
Xi'an 710061, China
Li Li
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Jiamao Zhou
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Jianhuai Ye
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University,
Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Wenting Dai
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Huikun Liu
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Yong Zhang
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Renjian Zhang
Key Laboratory of Middle Atmosphere and Global Environment
Observation, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Beijing 100029, China
Xianghe Observatory of Whole Atmosphere, Institute of Atmospheric
Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xianghe 065400, China
Jie Tian
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Yang Chen
Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
Yunfei Wu
Key Laboratory of Middle Atmosphere and Global Environment
Observation, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Beijing 100029, China
Weikang Ran
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Junji Cao
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change,
Xi'an 710061, China
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Zheng Yang, Qiaoqiao Wang, Qiyuan Wang, Nan Ma, Jie Tian, Yaqing Zhou, Ge Xu, Miao Gao, Xiaoxian Zhou, Yang Zhang, Weikang Ran, Ning Yang, Jiangchuan Tao, Juan Hong, Yunfei Wu, Junji Cao, Hang Su, and Yafang Cheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11051–11065, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11051-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11051-2025, 2025
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Our results demonstrate that the reduction in mass absorption efficiency from biomass burning is mainly driven by the decline in the imaginary part, with particle size playing a minor role. And light absorption of oxygenated brown carbon (BrC) increases significantly with aging, but hydrocarbon-like BrC decreases over time. These results emphasize the necessity to classify BrC into different groups based on their mass absorption efficiency and atmospheric behavior in climate models.
Xuehong Gong, Zeyu Liu, Jie Tian, Qiyuan Wang, Guohui Li, Zhisheng An, and Yongming Han
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 10379–10401, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10379-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10379-2025, 2025
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We studied wildfire carbon dioxide emissions across China from 2001 to 2022 and found that cropland and forest fires are the main contributors. While forest and shrub fires have decreased, cropland fires are rising, especially in northeastern China. Our findings suggest that climate and local policies affect wildfire emissions and that better fire management is needed to reduce future carbon impacts.
Jinghao Zhai, Yin Zhang, Pengfei Liu, Yujie Zhang, Antai Zhang, Yaling Zeng, Baohua Cai, Jingyi Zhang, Chunbo Xing, Honglong Yang, Xiaofei Wang, Jianhuai Ye, Chen Wang, Tzung-May Fu, Lei Zhu, Huizhong Shen, Shu Tao, and Xin Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7959–7972, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7959-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7959-2025, 2025
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Our study shows that the optical properties of brown carbon depend on its source. Brown carbon from ozone pollution had the weakest light absorption but the strongest wavelength dependence, while biomass burning brown carbon showed the strongest absorption and the weakest wavelength dependence. Nitrogen-containing organic carbon compounds were identified as key light absorbers. These results improve understanding of brown carbon sources and help refine climate models.
Jiamao Zhou, Jiarui Wu, Xiaoli Su, Ruonan Wang, Imad EI Haddad, Xia Li, Qian Jiang, Ting Zhang, Wenting Dai, Junji Cao, Andre S. H. Prevot, Xuexi Tie, and Guohui Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7563–7580, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7563-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7563-2025, 2025
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Brown carbon (BrC) is a type of airborne particle produced from various combustion sources which is light absorption. Historically, climate models have categorizing organic particles as either non-absorbing or purely reflective. Our study shows that BrC can reduce the usual cooling effect of organic particles. While BrC is often linked to biomass burning, however, BrC from fossil fuels contributes significantly to atmospheric heating.
Lang Liu, Xin Long, Yi Li, Zengliang Zang, Fengwen Wang, Yan Han, Zhier Bao, Yang Chen, Tian Feng, and Jinxin Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1569–1585, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1569-2025, 2025
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This study uses WRF-Chem to assess how meteorological conditions and emission reductions affected fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the North China Plain (NCP). It highlights regional disparities: in the northern NCP, adverse weather negated emission reduction effects. In contrast, the southern NCP featured a PM2.5 decrease due to favorable weather and emission reductions. The research highlighted the interaction between emissions, meteorology, and PM2.5.
Yiliang Liu, Arttu Yli-Kujala, Fabian Schmidt-Ott, Sebastian Holm, Lauri Ahonen, Tommy Chan, Joonas Enroth, Joonas Vanhanen, Runlong Cai, Tuukka Petäjä, Markku Kulmala, Yang Chen, and Juha Kangasluoma
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 431–442, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-431-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-431-2025, 2025
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Accurate measurement of nanoparticles is crucial for understanding their impact on new particle formation and climate change. In this study, we calibrated the Particle Size Magnifier version 2.0 (PSM 2.0), using both laboratory-generated and atmospheric particles. Some differences were observed in the calibration results, with direct calibration using atmospheric particles enhancing measurement accuracy.
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
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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.
Meng Wang, Qiyuan Wang, Steven Sai Hang Ho, Jie Tian, Yong Zhang, Shun-cheng Lee, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11175–11189, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11175-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11175-2024, 2024
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We studied nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) in particulate matter <2.5 µm particles on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. We found that biomass burning and transboundary transport are the main sources of NOCs in the high-altitude area. Understanding these aerosol sources informs how they add to regional and potentially global climate changes. Our findings could help shape effective environmental policies to enhance air quality and address climate impacts in this sensitive region.
Shao Shi, Jinghao Zhai, Xin Yang, Yechun Ruan, Yuanlong Huang, Xujian Chen, Antai Zhang, Jianhuai Ye, Guomao Zheng, Baohua Cai, Yaling Zeng, Yixiang Wang, Chunbo Xing, Yujie Zhang, Tzung-May Fu, Lei Zhu, Huizhong Shen, and Chen Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7001–7012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7001-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7001-2024, 2024
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The determination of ions in the mass spectra of individual particles remains uncertain. We have developed a standard-free mass calibration algorithm applicable to more than 98 % of ambient particles. With our algorithm, ions with ~ 0.05 Th mass difference could be determined. Therefore, many more atmospheric species could be determined and involved in the source apportionment of aerosols, the study of chemical reaction mechanisms, and the analysis of single-particle mixing states.
Chen He, Hanxiong Che, Zier Bao, Yiliang Liu, Qing Li, Miao Hu, Jiawei Zhou, Shumin Zhang, Xiaojiang Yao, Quan Shi, Chunmao Chen, Yan Han, Lingshuo Meng, Xin Long, Fumo Yang, and Yang Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1627–1639, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1627-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1627-2024, 2024
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We examined the daily evolution of high molecular-weight organic compounds with a molecular weight of up to 1000 Da in order to comprehend their behaviors in the atmosphere under actual conditions. These compounds were proven to undergo multi-generation oxidation, carboxylation, and nitrification via both day- and nighttime chemistry.
Zhongwei Luo, Yan Han, Kun Hua, Yufen Zhang, Jianhui Wu, Xiaohui Bi, Qili Dai, Baoshuang Liu, Yang Chen, Xin Long, and Yinchang Feng
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 6757–6771, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-6757-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-6757-2023, 2023
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This study explores how the variation in the source profiles adopted in chemical transport models (CTMs) impacts the simulated results of chemical components in PM2.5 based on sensitivity analysis. The impact on PM2.5 components cannot be ignored, and its influence can be transmitted and linked between components. The representativeness and timeliness of the source profile should be paid adequate attention in air quality simulation.
Li Li, Qiyuan Wang, Jie Tian, Huikun Liu, Yong Zhang, Steven Sai Hang Ho, Weikang Ran, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9597–9612, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9597-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9597-2023, 2023
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The Tibetan Plateau has a unique geographical location, but there is a lack of detailed research on the real-time characteristics of full aerosol composition. This study elaborates the changes in chemical characteristics between transport and local fine particles during the pre-monsoon, reveals the size distribution and the mixing states of different individual particles, and highlights the contributions of photooxidation and aqueous reaction to the formation of the secondary species.
Yong Zhang, Jie Tian, Qiyuan Wang, Lu Qi, Manousos Ioannis Manousakas, Yuemei Han, Weikang Ran, Yele Sun, Huikun Liu, Renjian Zhang, Yunfei Wu, Tianqu Cui, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, Jay Gates Slowik, André S. H. Prévôt, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9455–9471, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9455-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9455-2023, 2023
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PM2.5 pollution still frequently occurs in northern China during winter, and it is necessary to figure out the causes of air pollution based on intensive real-time measurement. The findings elaborate the chemical characteristics and source contributions of PM2.5 in three pilot cities, reveal potential formation mechanisms of secondary aerosols, and highlight the importance of controlling biomass burning and inhibiting generation of secondary aerosol for air quality improvement.
Taomou Zong, Zhijun Wu, Junrui Wang, Kai Bi, Wenxu Fang, Yanrong Yang, Xuena Yu, Zhier Bao, Xiangxinyue Meng, Yuheng Zhang, Song Guo, Yang Chen, Chunshan Liu, Yue Zhang, Shao-Meng Li, and Min Hu
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3679–3692, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3679-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3679-2023, 2023
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This study developed and characterized an indoor chamber system (AIR) to simulate atmospheric multiphase chemistry processes. The AIR chamber can accurately control temperature and relative humidity (RH) over a broad range and simulate diurnal variation of ambient atmospheric RH. The aerosol generation unit can generate organic-coating seed particles with different phase states. The AIR chamber demonstrates high-quality performance in simulating secondary aerosol formation.
Jie Tian, Qiyuan Wang, Yongyong Ma, Jin Wang, Yongming Han, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1879–1892, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1879-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1879-2023, 2023
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We investigated the light absorption properties of brown carbon (BrC) in the Tibetan Plateau (TP). BrC made a substantial contribution to the submicron aerosol absorption, which is related to the cross-border transport of biomass burning emission and secondary aerosol from Southeast Asia. The radiative effect of BrC was half that of black carbon, which can remarkably affect the radiative balance of the TP.
Zhier Bao, Xinyi Zhang, Qing Li, Jiawei Zhou, Guangming Shi, Li Zhou, Fumo Yang, Shaodong Xie, Dan Zhang, Chongzhi Zhai, Zhenliang Li, Chao Peng, and Yang Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1147–1167, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1147-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1147-2023, 2023
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We characterised non-refractory fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during winter in the Sichuan Basin (SCB), Southwest China. The factors driving severe aerosol pollution were revealed, highlighting the importance of rapid nitrate formation and intensive biomass burning. Nitrate was primarily formed through gas-phase oxidation during daytime and aqueous-phase oxidation during nighttime. Controlling nitrate and biomass burning will benefit the mitigation of haze formation in the SCB.
Qian Zhang, Yujie Zhang, Zhichun Wu, Bin Zhang, Yaling Zeng, Jian Sun, Hongmei Xu, Qiyuan Wang, Zhihua Li, Junji Cao, and Zhenxing Shen
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-801, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-801, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
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We identified the brown carbon (BrC) molecules and their absorbing abilities on a molecular level from animal dung fuel combustion over the Tibetan Plateau region in China. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer coupled with the partial least squares regression were precisely applied to characterize the molecular absorptions, key molecular markers, and radiative effects of BrC from household combustion scenarios at the high-altitude area.
Diwei Wang, Zhenxing Shen, Qian Zhang, Yali Lei, Tian Zhang, Shasha Huang, Jian Sun, Hongmei Xu, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14893–14904, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14893-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14893-2022, 2022
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The optical properties and molecular structure of atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) in winter of several megacities in China were analyzed, and the source contribution of brown carbon was improved by using positive matrix factorization coupled with a multilayer perceptron neural network. These results can provide a basis for the more effective control of BrC to reduce its impacts on regional climates and human health.
Meng Wang, Yusen Duan, Wei Xu, Qiyuan Wang, Zhuozhi Zhang, Qi Yuan, Xinwei Li, Shuwen Han, Haijie Tong, Juntao Huo, Jia Chen, Shan Gao, Zhongbiao Wu, Long Cui, Yu Huang, Guangli Xiu, Junji Cao, Qingyan Fu, and Shun-cheng Lee
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12789–12802, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12789-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12789-2022, 2022
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In this study, we report the long-term measurement of organic carbon (OC) and elementary carbon (EC) in PM2.5 with hourly time resolution conducted at a regional site in Shanghai from 2016 to 2020. The results from this study provide critical information about the long-term trend of carbonaceous aerosol, in particular secondary OC, in one of the largest megacities in the world and are helpful for developing pollution control measures from a long-term planning perspective.
Huikun Liu, Qiyuan Wang, Suixin Liu, Bianhong Zhou, Yao Qu, Jie Tian, Ting Zhang, Yongming Han, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11739–11757, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11739-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11739-2022, 2022
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Atmospheric motions play an important role in the mass concentration and the direct radiative effect (DRE) of black carbon (BC). The finding from this study elaborated the impacts of different scales of atmospheric motion on source-specific BC and its DREs, which revealed the nonlinear change between BC mass concentration and its DREs and emphasizes the importance of regionally transported BC for potential climatic effects.
Haobin Zhong, Ru-Jin Huang, Chunshui Lin, Wei Xu, Jing Duan, Yifang Gu, Wei Huang, Haiyan Ni, Chongshu Zhu, Yan You, Yunfei Wu, Renjian Zhang, Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Darius Ceburnis, and Colin D. O'Dowd
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9513–9524, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9513-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9513-2022, 2022
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To investigate the physico-chemical properties of aerosol transported from major pollution regions in China, observations were conducted ~200 m above the ground at the junction location of the two key pollution areas. We found that the formation efficiency, oxidation state and production rate of secondary aerosol were different in the transport sectors from different pollution regions, and they were largely enhanced by the regional long-distance transport.
Jie Tian, Qiyuan Wang, Huikun Liu, Yongyong Ma, Suixin Liu, Yong Zhang, Weikang Ran, Yongming Han, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8369–8384, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8369-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8369-2022, 2022
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We investigated aerosol optical properties and the direct radiative effect (DRE) at an urban site in China before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. The total light extinction coefficient (bext) decreased under emission control measures; however, bext from biomass burning increased due to the undiminished need for residential cooking and heating. Biomass burning, rather than traffic-related emissions, became the largest positive effect contributor to aerosol DRE in the lockdown.
Minxia Shen, Kin Fai Ho, Wenting Dai, Suixin Liu, Ting Zhang, Qiyuan Wang, Jingjing Meng, Judith C. Chow, John G. Watson, Junji Cao, and Jianjun Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7489–7504, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7489-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7489-2022, 2022
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Looking at characteristics and δ13C compositions of dicarboxylic acids and related compounds in BB aerosols, we used a combined combustion and aging system to generate fresh and aged aerosols from burning straw. The results showed the emission factors (EFaged) of total diacids of aging experiments were around an order of magnitude higher than EFfresh. This meant that dicarboxylic acids are involved with secondary photochemical processes in the atmosphere rather than primary emissions from BB.
Liang Ran, Zhaoze Deng, Yunfei Wu, Jiwei Li, Zhixuan Bai, Ye Lu, Deqing Zhuoga, and Jianchun Bian
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 6217–6229, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6217-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6217-2022, 2022
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The Tibetan Plateau (TP), the highest plateau in the world, plays a crucial role in regional and global climate. To examine the fingerprint left by human activities on the originally remote atmosphere, size distributions of particles from the ground to about 800 m were measured for the first time in summer 2020 in Lhasa, one of a few urbanized cities on TP. Potential sources of particles at different heights were explored. The contribution of emissions from religious activities was highlighted.
Quan Liu, Dantong Liu, Yangzhou Wu, Kai Bi, Wenkang Gao, Ping Tian, Delong Zhao, Siyuan Li, Chenjie Yu, Guiqian Tang, Yunfei Wu, Kang Hu, Shuo Ding, Qian Gao, Fei Wang, Shaofei Kong, Hui He, Mengyu Huang, and Deping Ding
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14749–14760, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14749-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14749-2021, 2021
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Through simultaneous online measurements of detailed aerosol compositions at both surface and surface-influenced mountain sites, the evolution of aerosol composition during daytime vertical transport was investigated. The results show that, from surface to the top of the planetary boundary layer, the oxidation state of organic aerosol had been significantly enhanced due to evaporation and further oxidation of these evaporated gases.
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Short summary
Recently, China has promulgated a series of regulations to reduce air pollutants. The decreased black carbon (BC) and co-emitted pollutants could affect the interactions between BC and other aerosols, which in turn results in changes in BC. Herein, we re-assessed the characteristics of BC of a representative pollution site in northern China in the final year of the Chinese
Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution.
Recently, China has promulgated a series of regulations to reduce air pollutants. The decreased...
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