Articles | Volume 21, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15135-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15135-2021
Research article
 | 
12 Oct 2021
Research article |  | 12 Oct 2021

Nonlinear responses of particulate nitrate to NOx emission controls in the megalopolises of China

Mengmeng Li, Zihan Zhang, Quan Yao, Tijian Wang, Min Xie, Shu Li, Bingliang Zhuang, and Yong Han

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Cited articles

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Short summary
We establish the nonlinear responses between nitrate and NOx in China. Reduction of NOx results in linearly lower nitrate in summer–autumn whereas an increase of winter nitrate until an inflexion point at 40–50 % reduction due to the excess oxidants. NH3 and VOCs are effective in controlling nitrate pollution, whereas decreasing the SO2 and NOx emissions may have counterintuitive effects on nitrate aerosols. This paper helps understand the nonlinear aerosol and photochemistry feedback.
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