Articles | Volume 24, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3769-2024
© Author(s) 2024. 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-24-3769-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 Mar 2024
Research article |
| 27 Mar 2024
| 27 Mar 2024
Distribution, chemical, and molecular composition of high and low molecular weight humic-like substances in ambient aerosols
Xingjun Fan
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Ao Cheng
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
Xufang Yu
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
Tao Cao
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
Dan Chen
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
Wenchao Ji
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
Yongbing Cai
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
Fande Meng
College of Resource and Environment, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, PR China
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Ping'an Peng
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Related authors
Tao Cao, Meiju Li, Cuncun Xu, Jianzhong Song, Xingjun Fan, Jun Li, Wanglu Jia, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2613–2625, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2613-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2613-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This work comprehensively investigated the fluorescence data of light-absorbing organic compounds, water-soluble organic matter in different types of aerosol samples, soil dust, and fulvic and humic acids using an excitation–emission matrix (EEM) method and parallel factor modeling. The results revealed which light-absorbing species can be detected by EEM and also provided important information for identifying the chemical composition and possible sources of these species in atmospheric samples.
Xingjun Fan, Tao Cao, Xufang Yu, Yan Wang, Xin Xiao, Feiyue Li, Yue Xie, Wenchao Ji, Jianzhong Song, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 4593–4605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4593-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4593-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
A particle-phase O3 oxidation of biomass burning (BB) smoke particles was conducted to investigate the evolution of brown carbon (BrC) therein. The O3 aging induced the decomposition of chromophores and fluorophores. EEM–PARAFAC showed a predominant decomposition of protein-like substances and a gradual increase proportion of humic-like substances for BB BrC during O3 aging. The dynamic spectral behavior of chromophores and functional groups within BrC was further explored by 2D-COS.
Jianfeng Wang, Chao Yang, Yuke Liu, Wenmin Jiang, Yun Li, Ting Zhang, Yijun Zheng, Yuhong Liao, Qiuli Huo, Li Fu, Yusheng Wang, Ping'an Peng, and Yongqiang Xiong
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1365, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1365, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Solid Earth (SE).
Short summary
Short summary
The Wufeng to Longmaxi (WF-LMX) Formations are the most important shale gas play in China. Here, we present a feasible approach using nanoindentation to characterize the mechanical properties of the WF-LMX Formations. Mechanical properties varied synchronously with mineral and organic content across the vertical drilling profile, reflecting changes in lithology and sedimentary facies. The effect of shale constituents on micromechanics is essentially controlled by the sedimentary environment.
Tao Cao, Cuncun Xu, Hao Chen, Jianzhong Song, Jun Li, Haiyan Song, Bin Jiang, Yin Zhong, and Ping’an Peng
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-561, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-561, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated the evolution of biomass and coal combustion-derived WSOM during aqueous photochemical process. The results indicate that photochemical aging induces distinct changes in the optical and molecular properties of WSOM and more pronounced alterations were observed during ·OH photooxidation than direct photolysis. Notably, our results also demostrated that atmospheric photooxidation may represent a significant source of BC-like substances.
Wei Sun, Xiaodong Hu, Yuzhen Fu, Guohua Zhang, Yujiao Zhu, Xinfeng Wang, Caiqing Yan, Likun Xue, He Meng, Bin Jiang, Yuhong Liao, Xinming Wang, Ping'an Peng, and Xinhui Bi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6987–6999, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6987-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6987-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The formation pathways of nitrogen-containing compounds (NOCs) in the atmosphere remain unclear. We investigated the composition of aerosols and fog water by state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and compared the formation pathways of NOCs. We found that NOCs in aerosols were mainly formed through nitration reaction, while ammonia addition played a more important role in fog water. The results deepen our understanding of the processes of organic particulate pollution.
Xiangyun Zhang, Jun Li, Sanyuan Zhu, Junwen Liu, Ping Ding, Shutao Gao, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, Ping'an Peng, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7495–7502, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7495-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7495-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The results show that 14C elemental carbon (EC) was not only related to the isolation method but also to the types and proportions of the biomass sources in the sample. The hydropyrolysis (Hypy) method, which can be used to isolate a highly stable portion of ECHypy and avoid charring, is a more effective and stable approach for the matrix-independent 14C quantification of EC in aerosols, and the 13C–ECHypy and non-fossil ECHypy values of SRM1649b were –24.9 ‰ and 11 %, respectively.
Jiao Tang, Jun Li, Shizhen Zhao, Guangcai Zhong, Yangzhi Mo, Hongxing Jiang, Bin Jiang, Yingjun Chen, Jianhui Tang, Chongguo Tian, Zheng Zong, Jabir Hussain Syed, Jianzhong Song, and Gan Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-403, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-403, 2023
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
This study provides a comprehensive molecular identification of atmospheric common fluorescent components and deciphers their related formation pathways. The fluorescent components varied in molecular composition, and a dominant oxidation pathway for the formation of humic-like fluorescent components was suggested, notwithstanding their different precursor types. Our findings are expected to be helpful to further studies using the EEM-PARAFAC as a tool to study atmospheric BrC.
Tao Cao, Meiju Li, Cuncun Xu, Jianzhong Song, Xingjun Fan, Jun Li, Wanglu Jia, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2613–2625, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2613-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2613-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This work comprehensively investigated the fluorescence data of light-absorbing organic compounds, water-soluble organic matter in different types of aerosol samples, soil dust, and fulvic and humic acids using an excitation–emission matrix (EEM) method and parallel factor modeling. The results revealed which light-absorbing species can be detected by EEM and also provided important information for identifying the chemical composition and possible sources of these species in atmospheric samples.
Chunlin Zou, Tao Cao, Meiju Li, Jianzhong Song, Bin Jiang, Wanglu Jia, Jun Li, Xiang Ding, Zhiqiang Yu, Gan Zhang, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 963–979, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-963-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-963-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, PM2.5 samples were obtained during a winter haze event in Guangzhou, China, and light absorption and molecular composition of humic-like substances (HULIS) were investigated by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry. The findings obtained present some differences from the results reported in other regions of China and significantly enhanced our understanding of HULIS evolution during haze bloom-decay processes in the subtropic region of southern China.
Ziyong Guo, Yuxiang Yang, Xiaodong Hu, Xiaocong Peng, Yuzhen Fu, Wei Sun, Guohua Zhang, Duohong Chen, Xinhui Bi, Xinming Wang, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4827–4839, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4827-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4827-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We show that in-cloud aqueous processing facilitates the formation of brown carbon (BrC), based on the simultaneous measurements of the light-absorption properties of the cloud residuals, cloud interstitial, and cloud-free particles. While extensive laboratory evidence indicated the formation of BrC in aqueous phase, our study represents the first attempt to show the possibility in real clouds, which would have potential implications in the atmospheric evolution and radiation forcing of BrC.
Wei Sun, Yuzhen Fu, Guohua Zhang, Yuxiang Yang, Feng Jiang, Xiufeng Lian, Bin Jiang, Yuhong Liao, Xinhui Bi, Duohong Chen, Jianmin Chen, Xinming Wang, Jie Ou, Ping'an Peng, and Guoying Sheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16631–16644, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16631-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16631-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We sampled cloud water at a remote mountain site and investigated the molecular characteristics. CHON and CHO are dominant in cloud water. No statistical difference in the oxidation state is observed between cloud water and interstitial PM2.5. Most of the formulas are aliphatic and olefinic species. CHON, with aromatic structures and organosulfates, are abundant, especially in nighttime samples. The in-cloud and multi-phase dark reactions likely contribute significantly.
Tao Cao, Meiju Li, Chunlin Zou, Xingjun Fan, Jianzhong Song, Wanglu Jia, Chiling Yu, Zhiqiang Yu, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13187–13205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13187-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13187-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) fractions derived from biomass burning and coal combustion including water- and methanol-soluble organic carbon were comprehensively characterized for their optical and chemical properties, as well as oxidative potential. Moreover, the key components or functional groups that were responsible for the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capacity of BrC were also discussed. These findings are useful for estimation of their environmental, climate, and health impacts.
Long Peng, Lei Li, Guohua Zhang, Xubing Du, Xinming Wang, Ping'an Peng, Guoying Sheng, and Xinhui Bi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 5605–5613, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-5605-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-5605-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We build a novel system that utilizes an aerodynamic aerosol classifier (AAC) combined with a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) to simultaneously characterize the volume equivalent diameter (Dve), chemical compositions, and effective density (ρe) of individual particles in real time. A test of the AAC-SPAMS with both spherical and aspherical particles shows that the deviations between the measured and theoretical values are less than 6 %.
Qingqing Yu, Xiang Ding, Quanfu He, Weiqiang Yang, Ming Zhu, Sheng Li, Runqi Zhang, Ruqin Shen, Yanli Zhang, Xinhui Bi, Yuesi Wang, Ping'an Peng, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14581–14595, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14581-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14581-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We carried out a 1-year PM concurrent observation at 12 sites across six regions of China, and size-segregated PAHs were measured. We found both PAHs and BaPeq were concentrated in PM1.1, and northern China had higher PAHs' pollution and inhalation cancer risk than southern China. Nationwide increases in both PAH levels and inhalation cancer risk occurred in winter. We suggest reducing coal and biofuel consumption in the residential sector is an important option to mitigate PAHs' health risks.
Yuzhen Fu, Qinhao Lin, Guohua Zhang, Yuxiang Yang, Yiping Yang, Xiufeng Lian, Long Peng, Feng Jiang, Xinhui Bi, Lei Li, Yuanyuan Wang, Duohong Chen, Jie Ou, Xinming Wang, Ping'an Peng, Jianxi Zhu, and Guoying Sheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14063–14075, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14063-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14063-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Based on the analysis of the morphology and mixing structure of the activated and unactivated particles, our results emphasize the role of in-cloud processes in the chemistry and microphysical properties of individual activated particles. Given that organic coatings may determine the particle hygroscopicity and heterogeneous chemical reactivity, the increase of OM-shelled particles upon in-cloud processes should have considerable implications for their evolution and climate impact.
Jing Cai, Xiangying Zeng, Guorui Zhi, Sasho Gligorovski, Guoying Sheng, Zhiqiang Yu, Xinming Wang, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6115–6128, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6115-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6115-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The composition and light-induced evolution of a water-soluble organic carbon mixture from fresh biomass burning aerosols was investigated with direct infusion electrospray ionisation high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and liquid chromatography coupled with HRMS. Our findings indicate that the water-soluble organic fraction of combustion-derived aerosols has the potential to form more oxidised organic matter, contributing to the highly oxygenated nature of atmospheric organic aerosols.
Xingjun Fan, Tao Cao, Xufang Yu, Yan Wang, Xin Xiao, Feiyue Li, Yue Xie, Wenchao Ji, Jianzhong Song, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 4593–4605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4593-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4593-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
A particle-phase O3 oxidation of biomass burning (BB) smoke particles was conducted to investigate the evolution of brown carbon (BrC) therein. The O3 aging induced the decomposition of chromophores and fluorophores. EEM–PARAFAC showed a predominant decomposition of protein-like substances and a gradual increase proportion of humic-like substances for BB BrC during O3 aging. The dynamic spectral behavior of chromophores and functional groups within BrC was further explored by 2D-COS.
Jiao Tang, Jun Li, Tao Su, Yong Han, Yangzhi Mo, Hongxing Jiang, Min Cui, Bin Jiang, Yingjun Chen, Jianhui Tang, Jianzhong Song, Ping'an Peng, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 2513–2532, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-2513-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-2513-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the light absorption, fluorescence, and molecular composition of dissolved organic carbon from the simulated combustion of biomass and coal and vehicle emissions with UV–vis spectra, EEM-PARAFAC, and FT-ICR MS. We observed high light absorption capacity from source emissions, and fluorescence spectra and molecular structures varied by source. We concluded that an EEM- and molecular-composition-based methodology could be helpful in the source apportionment of atmospheric aerosols.
Qingcai Chen, Zhen Mu, Li Xu, Mamin Wang, Jin Wang, Ming Shan, Xudong Yang, Xingjun Fan, Jianzhong Song, Yuqin Wang, Pengchuan Lin, Lixin Zhang, Zhenxing Shen, and Lin Du
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-1032, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-1032, 2020
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
It is important to study the formation characteristics and mechanism of triplet state in aerosols to quantify the effect of chromophore substances on the global climate and atmospheric environmental quality. The result of this study reveals that chromophore substances contributes significantly to aerosol photochemistry and plays an important role in aerosol aging. The global models may need to include those potential effects in the future.
Qinhao Lin, Yuxiang Yang, Yuzhen Fu, Guohua Zhang, Feng Jiang, Long Peng, Xiufeng Lian, Fengxian Liu, Xinhui Bi, Lei Li, Duohong Chen, Mei Li, Jie Ou, Mingjin Tang, Xinming Wang, Ping'an Peng, and Guoying Sheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 10469–10479, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-10469-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-10469-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The effects of the chemical composition and size of sea-salt-containing particles on their cloud condensation nuclei activity are incompletely understood. Our results showed that submicron sea-salt-containing particles can enrich in small cloud droplets, likely due to change in the chemical composition, while supermicron sea-salt-containing particles tended in the large cloud droplets less affected by chemical composition. This difference might further influence their atmospheric residence time.
Qinhao Lin, Xinhui Bi, Guohua Zhang, Yuxiang Yang, Long Peng, Xiufeng Lian, Yuzhen Fu, Mei Li, Duohong Chen, Mark Miller, Ji Ou, Mingjin Tang, Xinming Wang, Ping'an Peng, Guoying Sheng, and Zhen Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1195–1206, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1195-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1195-2019, 2019
Guohua Zhang, Qinhao Lin, Long Peng, Xinhui Bi, Duohong Chen, Mei Li, Lei Li, Fred J. Brechtel, Jianxin Chen, Weijun Yan, Xinming Wang, Ping'an Peng, Guoying Sheng, and Zhen Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 14975–14985, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14975-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14975-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The mixing state of black carbon (BC)-containing particles and the mass scavenging efficiency of BC in cloud were investigated at a mountain site (1690 m a.s.l.) in southern China. The measured BC-containing particles were internally mixed extensively with sulfate, and thus the number fraction of scavenged BC-containing particles is close to that of all the measured particles. BC-containing particles with higher fractions of organics were scavenged relatively less.
Xingjun Fan, Siye Wei, Mengbo Zhu, Jianzhong Song, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13321–13340, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13321-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13321-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
In the study, humic-like substances (HULIS) in smoke PM2.5 emitted from the combustion of biomass materials and fossil fuels are studied. The results indicate that both biomass burning and coal combustion are important primary sources of atmospheric HULIS. Moreover, the primary HULIS and atmospheric HULIS are similar in many properties, but some distinct features are also apparent. These results are helpful to understand the contribution and chemical nature of HULIS in combustion emissions.
Related subject area
Subject: Aerosols | Research Activity: Laboratory Studies | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Chemistry (chemical composition and reactions)
The importance of burning conditions on the composition of domestic biomass-burning organic aerosol and the impact of atmospheric ageing
Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
Boosting aerosol surface effects: strongly enhanced cooperative surface propensity of atmospherically relevant organic molecular ions in aqueous solution
The lifetimes and potential change in planetary albedo owing to the oxidation of thin surfactant organic films extracted from atmospheric aerosol by hydroxyl (OH) radicals at the air–water interface of particles
Exometabolomic exploration of culturable airborne microorganisms from an urban atmosphere
Measurement Report: Changes in ammonia emissions since the 18th century in south-eastern Europe inferred from an Elbrus (Caucasus, Russia) ice-core record
Atmospheric oxidation of 1,3-butadiene: influence of seed aerosol acidity and relative humidity on SOA composition and the production of air toxic compounds
Enhanced sulfate formation in mixed biomass burning and sea-salt interactions mediated by photosensitization: effects of chloride, nitrogen-containing compounds, and atmospheric aging
Heterogeneous formation and light absorption of secondary organic aerosols from acetone photochemical reactions: remarkably enhancing effects of seeds and ammonia
Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Nitrate Radical Oxidation of Styrene: Aerosol Yields, Chemical Composition, and Hydrolysis of Organic Nitrates
Experimental observation of the impact of nanostructure on hygroscopicity and reactivity of fatty acid atmospheric aerosol proxies
Technical note: High-resolution analyses of concentrations and sizes of refractory black carbon particles deposited in northwestern Greenland over the past 350 years – Part 1: Continuous flow analysis of the SIGMA-D ice core using the wide-range Single-Particle Soot Photometer and a high-efficiency nebulizer
The role of surface-active macromolecules in the ice nucleating ability of lignin, Snomax, and agricultural soil extracts
HOMs and SOA formation from the oxidation of α- and β-phellandrenes by NO3 radicals
Particulate emissions from cooking: emission factors, emission dynamics, and mass spectrometric analysis for different cooking methods
Hydrogen Peroxide Photoformation in Particulate Matter and its Contribution to S(IV) Oxidation During Winter in Fairbanks, Alaska
Copper accelerates photochemically induced radical chemistry of iron-containing SOA
Nocturnal atmospheric synergistic oxidation reduces the formation of low-volatility organic compounds from biogenic emissions
The interplay between aqueous replacement reaction and the phase state of internally mixed organic/ammonium aerosols
Measurement report: The Fifth International Workshop on Ice Nucleation phase 1 (FIN-01): intercomparison of single-particle mass spectrometers
Characterization of the particle size distribution, mineralogy, and Fe mode of occurrence of dust-emitting sediments from the Mojave Desert, California, USA
Measurement report: Effects of transition metal ions on the optical properties of humic-like substances (HULIS) reveal a structural preference – a case study of PM2.5 in Beijing, China
Probing Iceland's dust-emitting sediments: particle size distribution, mineralogy, cohesion, Fe mode of occurrence, and reflectance spectra signatures
Photoenhanced sulfate formation by the heterogeneous uptake of SO2 on non-photoactive mineral dust
Comparison of water-soluble and water-insoluble organic compositions attributing to different light absorption efficiency between residential coal and biomass burning emissions
Suppressed atmospheric chemical aging of cooking organic aerosol particles in wintertime conditions
Formation and loss of light absorbance by phenolic aqueous SOA by ●OH and an organic triplet excited state
Technical Note: A technique to convert NO2 to NO2− with S(IV) and its application to measuring nitrate photolysis
Desorption lifetimes and activation energies influencing gas–surface interactions and multiphase chemical kinetics
Molecular analysis of secondary organic aerosol and brown carbon from the oxidation of indole
Secondary organic aerosol formed by Euro 5 gasoline vehicle emissions: chemical composition and gas-to-particle phase partitioning
Assessment of the contribution of residential waste burning to ambient PM10 concentrations in Hungary and Romania
Source differences in the components and cytotoxicity of PM2.5 from automobile exhaust, coal combustion, and biomass burning contributing to urban aerosol toxicity
Chamber studies of OH + dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl disulfide: insights into the dimethyl sulfide oxidation mechanism
Low-temperature ice nucleation of sea spray and secondary marine aerosols under cirrus cloud conditions
Temperature-dependent aqueous OH kinetics of C2–C10 linear and terpenoid alcohols and diols: new rate coefficients, structure–activity relationship, and atmospheric lifetimes
A possible unaccounted source of nitrogen-containing compound formation in aerosols: amines reacting with secondary ozonides
Seasonal variations in photooxidant formation and light absorption in aqueous extracts of ambient particles
Variability in sediment particle size, mineralogy, and Fe mode of occurrence across dust-source inland drainage basins: the case of the lower Drâa Valley, Morocco
Gas–particle partitioning of toluene oxidation products: an experimental and modeling study
Chemically speciated air pollutant emissions from open burning of household solid waste from South Africa
Bulk and molecular-level composition of primary organic aerosol from wood, straw, cow dung, and plastic burning
Volatile oxidation products and secondary organosiloxane aerosol from D5 + OH at varying OH exposures
Molecular fingerprints and health risks of smoke from home-use incense burning
High enrichment of heavy metals in fine particulate matter through dust aerosol generation
Production of ice-nucleating particles (INPs) by fast-growing phytoplankton
Technical note: In situ measurements and modelling of the oxidation kinetics in films of a cooking aerosol proxy using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)
Contrasting impacts of humidity on the ozonolysis of monoterpenes: insights into the multi-generation chemical mechanism
Quantifying the seasonal variations in and regional transport of PM2.5 in the Yangtze River Delta region, China: characteristics, sources, and health risks
Opinion: Atmospheric multiphase chemistry – past, present, and future
Rhianna L. Evans, Daniel J. Bryant, Aristeidis Voliotis, Dawei Hu, Huihui Wu, Sara Aisyah Syafira, Osayomwanbor E. Oghama, Gordon McFiggans, Jacqueline F. Hamilton, and Andrew R. Rickard
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4367–4389, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4367-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4367-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The chemical composition of organic aerosol derived from wood-burning emissions under different burning conditions was characterised. Fresh emissions from flaming and smouldering were largely aromatic in nature, whereas upon aging the aromatic content decreased. This decrease was greater for smouldering due to the loss of toxic polyaromatic species, whereas under flaming conditions highly toxic polyaromatic species were produced. These differences present an important challenge for future policy.
Yueyao Yang, Yahui Liu, Guohua Zhu, Bingcheng Lin, Shanshan Zhang, Xin Li, Fangxi Xu, He Niu, Rong Jin, and Minghui Zheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3981–3994, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3981-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3981-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (XPAHs) are emerging pollutants. Stability during atmospheric transformation processes is crucial for predicting their environmental fate and assessing the associated risks. Here, we conducted field studies and laboratory simulation experiments to reveal the mechanisms, influencing factors and products for XPAHs' heterogeneous phototransformation. Results revealed that the conversion of XPAHs led to a reduction in environmental risk.
Harmanjot Kaur, Stephan Thürmer, Shirin Gholami, Bruno Credidio, Florian Trinter, Debora Vasconcelos, Ricardo Marinho, Joel Pinheiro, Hendrik Bluhm, Arnaldo Naves de Brito, Gunnar Öhrwall, Bernd Winter, and Olle Björneholm
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3503–3518, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3503-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3503-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding the surface composition of aerosols is crucial for advancing climate models. We investigated the interface of single-component and mixed aqueous solutions of atmospherically relevant carboxylic acid and alkyl-ammonium ions using liquid-jet photoelectron spectroscopy. An exponential increase in surface propensity as a function of chain length was found for the single species, and cooperative effects in the mixtures cause a further drastic increase in surface solute concentration.
Rosalie H. Shepherd, Martin D. King, Andrew D. Ward, Edward J. Stuckey, Rebecca J. L. Welbourn, Neil Brough, Adam Milsom, Christian Pfrang, and Thomas Arnold
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2569–2588, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2569-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Thin film formation at the air–water interface from material extracted from atmospheric aerosol was demonstrated, supporting the core–shell morphology. Film thicknesses were approximately 10 Å and 17 Å for urban and remote extracts, respectively. Exposure to gas-phase OH radicals showed fast reactions and short lifetimes of around 1 h. The effect on the Earth's radiative balance indicated that removing half of the film could significantly increase the top-of-atmosphere albedo for urban films.
Rui Jin, Wei Hu, Peimin Duan, Ming Sheng, Dandan Liu, Ziye Huang, Mutong Niu, Libin Wu, Junjun Deng, and Pingqing Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1805–1829, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1805-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1805-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The metabolic capacity of atmospheric microorganisms after settling into habitats is poorly understood. We studied the molecular composition of exometabolites for cultured typical airborne microbes and traced their metabolic processes. Bacteria and fungi produce highly oxidized exometabolites and have significant variations in metabolism among different strains. These insights are pivotal for assessing the biogeochemical impacts of atmospheric microorganisms following their deposition.
Michel Legrand, Mstislav Vorobyev, Daria Bokuchava, Stanislav Kutuzov, Andreas Plach, Andreas Stohl, Alexandra Khairedinova, Vladimir Mikhalenko, Maria Vinogradova, Sabine Eckhardt, and Susanne Preunkert
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1385–1399, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1385-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1385-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Past atmospheric NH3 pollution in south-eastern Europe was reconstructed by analysing ammonium in an ice core drilled at the Mount Elbrus (Caucasus, Russia). The observed 3.5-fold increase in ice concentrations between 1750 and 1990 CE is in good agreement with estimated past dominant ammonia emissions from agriculture, mainly from south European Russia and Türkiye. In contrast to present-day conditions, the ammonium level observed in 1750 CE indicates significant natural emissions at that time.
Mohammed Jaoui, Klara Nestorowicz, Krzysztof J. Rudzinski, Michael Lewandowski, Tadeusz E. Kleindienst, Julio Torres, Ewa Bulska, Witold Danikiewicz, and Rafal Szmigielski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1401–1432, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1401-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1401-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Recent research has established the contribution of 1,3-butadiene (13BD) to organic aerosol formation with negative implications for urban air quality. Health effect studies have focused on whole particulate matter, but compounds responsible for adverse health effects remain uncertain. This study provides the effect of relative humidity and seed aerosol acidity on the chemical composition of aerosol formed from 13BD photooxidation.
Rongzhi Tang, Jialiang Ma, Ruifeng Zhang, Weizhen Cui, Yuanyuan Qin, Yangxi Chu, Yiming Qin, Alexander L. Vogel, and Chak K. Chan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 425–439, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-425-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-425-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study provides laboratory evidence that the photosensitizers in biomass burning extracts can enhance sulfate formation in NaCl particles, primarily by triggering the formation of secondary oxidants under light and air conditions, with a lower contribution of direct photosensitization via triplets.
Si Zhang, Yining Gao, Xinbei Xu, Luyao Chen, Can Wu, Zheng Li, Rongjie Li, Binyu Xiao, Xiaodi Liu, Rui Li, Fan Zhang, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 14177–14190, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-14177-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-14177-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) from acetone photooxidation in the presence of various seeds were studied to illustrate SOA formation kinetics under ammonia-rich conditions. The oxidation mechanism of acetone was investigated using an observation-based model incorporating a Master Chemical Mechanism model. A higher SOA yield of acetone was observed compared to methylglyoxal due to an enhanced uptake of the small photooxidation products of acetone.
Yuchen Wang, Xiang Zhang, Yuanlong Huang, Yutong Liang, and Nga L. Ng
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3849, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3849, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work provides the first fundamental laboratory data to evaluate SOA production from styrene+NO3 chemistry. Additionally, the formation mechanisms of aromatic ONs are reported for the first time, highlighting that previously identified nitroaromatics in ambient field campaigns can be aromatic ONs. Finally, the hydrolysis lifetime observed for ONs generated from styrene+NO3 oxidation can serve as experimentally constrained parameter for modeling hydrolysis of aromatic ONs in general.
Adam Milsom, Adam M. Squires, Ben Laurence, Ben Wōden, Andrew J. Smith, Andrew D. Ward, and Christian Pfrang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13571–13586, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13571-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13571-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We followed nano-structural changes in mixtures found in urban organic aerosol emissions (oleic acid, sodium oleate and fructose) during humidity change and ozone exposure. We demonstrate that self-assembly of fatty acid nanostructures can impact water uptake and chemical reactivity, affecting atmospheric lifetimes, urban air quality (preventing harmful emissions from degradation and enabling their long-range transport) and climate (affecting cloud formation), with implications for human health.
Kumiko Goto-Azuma, Remi Dallmayr, Yoshimi Ogawa-Tsukagawa, Nobuhiro Moteki, Tatsuhiro Mori, Sho Ohata, Yutaka Kondo, Makoto Koike, Motohiro Hirabayashi, Jun Ogata, Kyotaro Kitamura, Kenji Kawamura, Koji Fujita, Sumito Matoba, Naoko Nagatsuka, Akane Tsushima, Kaori Fukuda, and Teruo Aoki
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12985–13000, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12985-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12985-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a continuous flow analysis system to analyze an ice core from northwestern Greenland and coupled it with an improved refractory black carbon (rBC) measurement technique. This allowed accurate high-resolution analyses of size distributions and concentrations of rBC particles with diameters of 70 nm–4 μm for the past 350 years. Our results provide crucial insights into rBC's climatic effects. We also found previous ice core studies substantially underestimated rBC mass concentrations.
Kathleen A. Thompson, Paul Bieber, Anna J. Miller, Nicole Link, Benjamin J. Murray, and Nadine Borduas-Dedekind
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2827, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2827, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Lignin and Snomax are surface-active macromolecules that show a relationship between increasing concentrations, decreasing surface tension, and increasing ice-nucleating ability. However, this relationship did not hold for agricultural soil extracts collected in the UK and Canada. Hydrophobic interfaces play an important role in the ice-nucleating activity of organic matter; as the complexity of the sample increases, the hydrophobic interfaces in the bulk compete with the air-water interface.
Sergio Harb, Manuela Cirtog, Stéphanie Alage, Christopher Cantrell, Mathieu Cazaunau, Vincent Michoud, Edouard Pangui, Antonin Bergé, Chiara Giorio, Francesco Battaglia, and Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3419, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3419, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the reactions of α- and β-phellandrenes (from vegetation emissions) with NO3 radicals, a major nighttime oxidant from human activities. Using lab-based simulations, we examined these reactions and measured particle formation and by-products. Our findings reveal that α- and β-phellandrenes are efficient particle sources and enhance our understanding of biogenic-anthropogenic interactions and their contributions to atmospheric changes affecting climate and health.
Julia Pikmann, Frank Drewnick, Friederike Fachinger, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12295–12321, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12295-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12295-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Cooking activities can contribute substantially to indoor and ambient aerosol. We performed a comprehensive study with laboratory measurements cooking 19 different dishes and ambient measurements at two Christmas markets measuring various particle properties and trace gases of emissions in real time. Similar emission characteristics were observed for dishes with the same preparation method, mainly due to similar cooking temperature and use of oil, with barbecuing as an especially strong source.
Michael Oluwatoyin Sunday, Laura Marie Dahler Heinlein, Junwei He, Allison Moon, Sukriti Kapur, Ting Fang, Kasey C. Edwards, Fangzhou Guo, Jack Dibb, James H. Flynn III, Becky Alexander, Manabu Shiraiwa, and Cort Anastasio
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3272, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3272, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) is an important oxidant that forms atmospheric sulfate. We demonstrate that illumination of brown carbon can rapidly form HOOH within particles, even under the low sunlight conditions of Fairbanks, Alaska during winter. This in-particle formation of HOOH is fast enough that it forms sulfate at significant rates. In contrast, the formation of HOOH in the gas phase during the campaign is expected to be negligible because of high NOx levels.
Kevin Kilchhofer, Markus Ammann, Laura Torrent, Ka Yuen Cheung, and Peter Aaron Alpert
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3226, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3226, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol particles composed of metal complexes generate radicals as the result of photochemical reactions. Reactive species generated are hazardous to human health. We report microscopy data with particles composed of an organic proxy exposed to UV light. We found that copper influenced the reoxidation and initial iron reduction via photolysis of the complex. New model results suggest that we need to account a decreased photochemical activity and use a copper-induced reoxidation reaction.
Han Zang, Zekun Luo, Chenxi Li, Ziyue Li, Dandan Huang, and Yue Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11701–11716, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11701-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11701-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric organics are subject to synergistic oxidation by different oxidants, yet the mechanisms of such processes are poorly understood. Here, using direct measurements and kinetic modeling, we probe the nocturnal synergistic-oxidation mechanism of α-pinene by O3 and NO3 radicals and in particular the fate of peroxy radical intermediates of different origins, which will deepen our understanding of the monoterpene oxidation chemistry and its contribution to atmospheric particle formation.
Hui Yang, Fengfeng Dong, Li Xia, Qishen Huang, Shufeng Pang, and Yunhong Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11619–11635, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11619-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11619-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric secondary aerosols, composed of organic and inorganic components, undergo complex reactions that impact their phase state. Using molecular spectroscopy, we showed that ammonium-promoted aqueous replacement reaction, unique to these aerosols, is closely linked to phase behavior. The interplay between reactions and aerosol phase state can cause atypical phase transition and irreversible changes in aerosol composition during hygroscopic cycles, further impacting atmospheric processes.
Xiaoli Shen, David M. Bell, Hugh Coe, Naruki Hiranuma, Fabian Mahrt, Nicholas A. Marsden, Claudia Mohr, Daniel M. Murphy, Harald Saathoff, Johannes Schneider, Jacqueline Wilson, Maria A. Zawadowicz, Alla Zelenyuk, Paul J. DeMott, Ottmar Möhler, and Daniel J. Cziczo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 10869–10891, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10869-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10869-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Single-particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) is commonly used to measure the chemical composition and mixing state of aerosol particles. Intercomparison of SPMS instruments was conducted. All instruments reported similar size ranges and common spectral features. The instrument-specific detection efficiency was found to be more dependent on particle size than type. All differentiated secondary organic aerosol, soot, and soil dust but had difficulties differentiating among minerals and dusts.
Adolfo González-Romero, Cristina González-Flórez, Agnesh Panta, Jesús Yus-Díez, Patricia Córdoba, Andres Alastuey, Natalia Moreno, Melani Hernández-Chiriboga, Konrad Kandler, Martina Klose, Roger N. Clark, Bethany L. Ehlmann, Rebecca N. Greenberger, Abigail M. Keebler, Phil Brodrick, Robert Green, Paul Ginoux, Xavier Querol, and Carlos Pérez García-Pando
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 9155–9176, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9155-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9155-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this research, we studied the dust-emitting properties of crusts and aeolian ripples from the Mojave Desert. These properties are key to understanding the effect of dust upon climate. We found two different playa lakes according to the groundwater regime, which implies differences in crusts' cohesion state and mineralogy, which can affect the dust emission potential and properties. We also compare them with Moroccan Sahara crusts and Icelandic top sediments.
Juanjuan Qin, Leiming Zhang, Yuanyuan Qin, Shaoxuan Shi, Jingnan Li, Zhao Shu, Yuwei Gao, Ting Qi, Jihua Tan, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7575–7589, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7575-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7575-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The present research unveiled that acidity dominates while transition metal ions harmonize with the light absorption properties of humic-like substances (HULIS). Cu2+ has quenching effects on HULIS by complexation, hydrogen substitution, or electrostatic adsorption, with aromatic structures of HULIS. Such effects are less pronounced if from Mn2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. Oxidized HULIS might contain electron-donating groups, whereas N-containing compounds might contain electron-withdrawing groups.
Adolfo González-Romero, Cristina González-Flórez, Agnesh Panta, Jesús Yus-Díez, Patricia Córdoba, Andres Alastuey, Natalia Moreno, Konrad Kandler, Martina Klose, Roger N. Clark, Bethany L. Ehlmann, Rebecca N. Greenberger, Abigail M. Keebler, Phil Brodrick, Robert O. Green, Xavier Querol, and Carlos Pérez García-Pando
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6883–6910, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6883-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6883-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The knowledge of properties from dust emitted in high latitudes such as in Iceland is scarce. This study focuses on the particle size, mineralogy, cohesion, and iron mode of occurrence and reflectance spectra of dust-emitting sediments. Icelandic top sediments have lower cohesion state, coarser particle size, distinctive mineralogy, and 3-fold bulk Fe content, with a large presence of magnetite compared to Saharan crusts.
Wangjin Yang, Jiawei Ma, Hongxing Yang, Fu Li, and Chong Han
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6757–6768, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6757-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6757-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We provide evidence that light enhances the conversion of SO2 to sulfates on non-photoactive mineral dust, where triplet states of SO2 (3SO2) can act as a pivotal trigger to generate sulfates. Photochemical sulfate formation depends on H2O, O2, and basicity of mineral dust. The SO2 photochemistry on non-photoactive mineral dust contributes to sulfates, highlighting previously unknown pathways to better explain the missing sources of atmospheric sulfates.
Lu Zhang, Jin Li, Yaojie Li, Xinlei Liu, Zhihan Luo, Guofeng Shen, and Shu Tao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6323–6337, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6323-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6323-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) is related to radiative forcing and climate change. The BrC fraction from residential coal and biomass burning emissions, which were the major source of BrC, was characterized at the molecular level. The CHOS aromatic compounds explained higher light absorption efficiencies of biomass burning emissions compared to coal. The unique formulas of coal combustion aerosols were characterized by higher unsaturated compounds, and such information could be used for source appointment.
Wenli Liu, Longkun He, Yingjun Liu, Keren Liao, Qi Chen, and Mikinori Kuwata
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 5625–5636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5625-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5625-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Cooking is a major source of particles in urban areas. Previous studies demonstrated that the chemical lifetimes of cooking organic aerosols (COAs) were much shorter (~minutes) than the values reported by field observations (~hours). We conducted laboratory experiments to resolve the discrepancy by considering suppressed reactivity under low temperature. The parameterized k2–T relationships and observed surface temperature data were used to estimate the chemical lifetimes of COA particles.
Stephanie Arciva, Lan Ma, Camille Mavis, Chrystal Guzman, and Cort Anastasio
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4473–4485, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4473-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4473-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We measured changes in light absorption during the aqueous oxidation of six phenols with hydroxyl radical (●OH) or an organic triplet excited state (3C*). All the phenols formed light-absorbing secondary brown carbon (BrC), which then decayed with continued oxidation. Extrapolation to ambient conditions suggest ●OH is the dominant sink of secondary phenolic BrC in fog/cloud drops, while 3C* controls the lifetime of this light absorption in particle water.
Aaron Lieberman, Julietta Picco, Murat Onder, and Cort Anastasio
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4411–4419, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4411-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4411-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a method that uses aqueous S(IV) to quantitatively convert NO2 to NO2−, which allows both species to be quantified using the Griess method. As an example of the utility of the method, we quantified both photolysis channels of nitrate, with and without a scavenger for hydroxyl radical (·OH). The results show that without a scavenger, ·OH reacts with nitrite to form nitrogen dioxide, suppressing the apparent quantum yield of NO2− and enhancing that of NO2.
Daniel A. Knopf, Markus Ammann, Thomas Berkemeier, Ulrich Pöschl, and Manabu Shiraiwa
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 3445–3528, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3445-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3445-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The initial step of interfacial and multiphase chemical processes involves adsorption and desorption of gas species. This study demonstrates the role of desorption energy governing the residence time of the gas species at the environmental interface. A parameterization is formulated that enables the prediction of desorption energy based on the molecular weight, polarizability, and oxygen-to-carbon ratio of the desorbing chemical species. Its application to gas–particle interactions is discussed.
Feng Jiang, Kyla Siemens, Claudia Linke, Yanxia Li, Yiwei Gong, Thomas Leisner, Alexander Laskin, and Harald Saathoff
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2639–2649, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2639-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2639-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the optical properties, chemical composition, and formation mechanisms of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and brown carbon (BrC) from the oxidation of indole with and without NO2 in the Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere (AIDA) simulation chamber. This work is one of the very few to link the optical properties and chemical composition of indole SOA with and without NO2 by simulation chamber experiments.
Evangelia Kostenidou, Baptiste Marques, Brice Temime-Roussel, Yao Liu, Boris Vansevenant, Karine Sartelet, and Barbara D'Anna
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2705–2729, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2705-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2705-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from gasoline vehicles can be a significant source of particulate matter in urban areas. Here the chemical composition of secondary volatile organic compounds and SOA produced by photo-oxidation of Euro 5 gasoline vehicle emissions was studied. The volatility of the SOA formed was calculated. Except for the temperature and the concentration of the aerosol, additional parameters may play a role in the gas-to-particle partitioning.
András Hoffer, Aida Meiramova, Ádám Tóth, Beatrix Jancsek-Turóczi, Gyula Kiss, Ágnes Rostási, Erika Andrea Levei, Luminita Marmureanu, Attila Machon, and András Gelencsér
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1659–1671, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1659-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1659-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Specific tracer compounds identified previously in controlled test burnings of different waste types in the laboratory were detected and quantified in ambient PM10 samples collected in five Hungarian and four Romanian settlements. Back-of-the-envelope calculations based on the relative emission factors of individual tracers suggested that the contribution of solid waste burning particulate emissions to ambient PM10 mass concentrations may be as high as a few percent.
Xiao-San Luo, Weijie Huang, Guofeng Shen, Yuting Pang, Mingwei Tang, Weijun Li, Zhen Zhao, Hanhan Li, Yaqian Wei, Longjiao Xie, and Tariq Mehmood
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1345–1360, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1345-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1345-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
PM2.5 are air pollutants threatening health globally, but they are a mixture of chemical compositions from many sources and result in unequal toxicity. Which composition from which source of PM2.5 as the most hazardous object is a question hindering effective pollution control policy-making. With chemical and toxicity experiments, we found automobile exhaust and coal combustion to be priority emissions with higher toxic compositions for precise air pollution control, ensuring public health.
Matthew B. Goss and Jesse H. Kroll
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1299–1314, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1299-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1299-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The chemistry driving dimethyl sulfide (DMS) oxidation and subsequent sulfate particle formation in the atmosphere is poorly constrained. We oxidized two related compounds (dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl disulfide) in the laboratory under varied NOx conditions and measured the gas- and particle-phase products. These results demonstrate that both the OH addition and OH abstraction pathways for DMS oxidation contribute to particle formation via mechanisms that do not involve the SO2 intermediate.
Ryan J. Patnaude, Kathryn A. Moore, Russell J. Perkins, Thomas C. J. Hill, Paul J. DeMott, and Sonia M. Kreidenweis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 911–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-911-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-911-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we examined the effect of atmospheric aging on sea spray aerosols (SSAs) to form ice and how newly formed secondary marine aerosols (SMAs) may freeze at cirrus temperatures (< −38 °C). Results show that SSAs freeze at different relative humidities (RHs) depending on the temperature and that the ice-nucleating ability of SSA was not hindered by atmospheric aging. SMAs are shown to freeze at high RHs and are likely inefficient at forming ice at cirrus temperatures.
Bartłomiej Witkowski, Priyanka Jain, Beata Wileńska, and Tomasz Gierczak
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 663–688, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-663-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-663-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This article reports the results of the kinetic measurements for the aqueous oxidation of the 29 aliphatic alcohols by hydroxyl radical (OH) at different temperatures. The data acquired and the literature data were used to optimize a model for predicting the aqueous OH reactivity of alcohols and carboxylic acids and to estimate the atmospheric lifetimes of five terpenoic alcohols. The kinetic data provided new insights into the mechanism of aqueous oxidation of aliphatic molecules by the OH.
Junting Qiu, Xinlin Shen, Jiangyao Chen, Guiying Li, and Taicheng An
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 155–166, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-155-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-155-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We studied reactions of secondary ozonides (SOZs) with amines. SOZs formed from ozonolysis of β-caryophyllene and α-humulene are found to be reactive to ethylamine and methylamine. Products from SOZs with various conformations reacting with the same amine had different functional groups. Our findings indicate that interaction of SOZs with amines in the atmosphere is very complicated, which is potentially a hitherto unrecognized source of N-containing compound formation.
Lan Ma, Reed Worland, Laura Heinlein, Chrystal Guzman, Wenqing Jiang, Christopher Niedek, Keith J. Bein, Qi Zhang, and Cort Anastasio
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1–21, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We measured concentrations of three photooxidants – the hydroxyl radical, triplet excited states of organic carbon, and singlet molecular oxygen – in fine particles collected over a year. Concentrations are highest in extracts of fresh biomass burning particles, largely because they have the highest particle concentrations and highest light absorption. When normalized by light absorption, rates of formation for each oxidant are generally similar for the four particle types we observed.
Adolfo González-Romero, Cristina González-Flórez, Agnesh Panta, Jesús Yus-Díez, Cristina Reche, Patricia Córdoba, Natalia Moreno, Andres Alastuey, Konrad Kandler, Martina Klose, Clarissa Baldo, Roger N. Clark, Zongbo Shi, Xavier Querol, and Carlos Pérez García-Pando
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15815–15834, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15815-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15815-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The effect of dust emitted from desertic surfaces upon climate and ecosystems depends on size and mineralogy, but data from soil mineral atlases of desert soils are scarce. We performed particle-size distribution, mineralogy, and Fe speciation in southern Morocco. Results show coarser particles with high quartz proportion are near the elevated areas, while in depressed areas, sizes are finer, and proportions of clays and nano-Fe oxides are higher. This difference is important for dust modelling.
Victor Lannuque, Barbara D'Anna, Evangelia Kostenidou, Florian Couvidat, Alvaro Martinez-Valiente, Philipp Eichler, Armin Wisthaler, Markus Müller, Brice Temime-Roussel, Richard Valorso, and Karine Sartelet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15537–15560, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15537-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15537-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Large uncertainties remain in understanding secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from toluene oxidation. In this study, speciation measurements in gaseous and particulate phases were carried out, providing partitioning and volatility data on individual toluene SOA components at different temperatures. A new detailed oxidation mechanism was developed to improve modeled speciation, and effects of different processes involved in gas–particle partitioning at the molecular scale are explored.
Xiaoliang Wang, Hatef Firouzkouhi, Judith C. Chow, John G. Watson, Steven Sai Hang Ho, Warren Carter, and Alexandra S. M. De Vos
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15375–15393, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15375-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15375-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Open burning of municipal solid waste emits chemicals that are harmful to the environment. This paper reports source profiles and emission factors for PM2.5 species and acidic/alkali gases from laboratory combustion of 10 waste categories (including plastics and biomass) that represent open burning in South Africa. Results will be useful for health and climate impact assessments, speciated emission inventories, source-oriented dispersion models, and receptor-based source apportionment.
Jun Zhang, Kun Li, Tiantian Wang, Erlend Gammelsæter, Rico K. Y. Cheung, Mihnea Surdu, Sophie Bogler, Deepika Bhattu, Dongyu S. Wang, Tianqu Cui, Lu Qi, Houssni Lamkaddam, Imad El Haddad, Jay G. Slowik, Andre S. H. Prevot, and David M. Bell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14561–14576, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14561-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14561-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted burning experiments to simulate various types of solid fuel combustion, including residential burning, wildfires, agricultural burning, cow dung, and plastic bag burning. The chemical composition of the particles was characterized using mass spectrometers, and new potential markers for different fuels were identified using statistical analysis. This work improves our understanding of emissions from solid fuel burning and offers support for refined source apportionment.
Hyun Gu Kang, Yanfang Chen, Yoojin Park, Thomas Berkemeier, and Hwajin Kim
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14307–14323, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14307-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14307-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
D5 is an emerging anthropogenic pollutant that is ubiquitous in indoor and urban environments, and the OH oxidation of D5 forms secondary organosiloxane aerosol (SOSiA). Application of a kinetic box model that uses a volatility basis set (VBS) showed that consideration of oxidative aging (aging-VBS) predicts SOSiA formation much better than using a standard-VBS model. Ageing-dependent parameterization is needed to accurately model SOSiA to assess the implications of siloxanes for air quality.
Kai Song, Rongzhi Tang, Jingshun Zhang, Zichao Wan, Yuan Zhang, Kun Hu, Yuanzheng Gong, Daqi Lv, Sihua Lu, Yu Tan, Ruifeng Zhang, Ang Li, Shuyuan Yan, Shichao Yan, Baoming Fan, Wenfei Zhu, Chak K. Chan, Maosheng Yao, and Song Guo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13585–13595, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13585-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13585-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Incense burning is common in Asia, posing threats to human health and air quality. However, less is known about its emissions and health risks. Full-volatility organic species from incense-burning smoke are detected and quantified. Intermediate-volatility volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) are crucial organics accounting for 19.2 % of the total emission factors (EFs) and 40.0 % of the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) estimation, highlighting the importance of incorporating IVOCs into SOA models.
Qianqian Gao, Shengqiang Zhu, Kaili Zhou, Jinghao Zhai, Shaodong Chen, Qihuang Wang, Shurong Wang, Jin Han, Xiaohui Lu, Hong Chen, Liwu Zhang, Lin Wang, Zimeng Wang, Xin Yang, Qi Ying, Hongliang Zhang, Jianmin Chen, and Xiaofei Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13049–13060, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13049-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13049-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Dust is a major source of atmospheric aerosols. Its chemical composition is often assumed to be similar to the parent soil. However, this assumption has not been rigorously verified. Dust aerosols are mainly generated by wind erosion, which may have some chemical selectivity. Mn, Cd and Pb were found to be highly enriched in fine-dust (PM2.5) aerosols. In addition, estimation of heavy metal emissions from dust generation by air quality models may have errors without using proper dust profiles.
Daniel C. O. Thornton, Sarah D. Brooks, Elise K. Wilbourn, Jessica Mirrielees, Alyssa N. Alsante, Gerardo Gold-Bouchot, Andrew Whitesell, and Kiana McFadden
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12707–12729, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12707-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12707-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A major uncertainty in our understanding of clouds and climate is the sources and properties of the aerosol on which clouds grow. We found that aerosol containing organic matter from fast-growing marine phytoplankton was a source of ice-nucleating particles (INPs). INPs facilitate freezing of ice crystals at warmer temperatures than otherwise possible and therefore change cloud formation and properties. Our results show that ecosystem processes and the properties of sea spray aerosol are linked.
Adam Milsom, Shaojun Qi, Ashmi Mishra, Thomas Berkemeier, Zhenyu Zhang, and Christian Pfrang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10835–10843, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10835-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10835-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosols and films are found indoors and outdoors. Our study measures and models reactions of a cooking aerosol proxy with the atmospheric oxidant ozone relying on a low-cost but sensitive technique based on mass changes and film rigidity. We found that film morphology changed and film rigidity increased with evidence of surface crust formation during ozone exposure. Our modelling results demonstrate clear potential to take this robust method to the field for reaction monitoring.
Shan Zhang, Lin Du, Zhaomin Yang, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Jianlong Li, and Kun Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10809–10822, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10809-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10809-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we have investigated the distinct impacts of humidity on the ozonolysis of two structurally different monoterpenes (limonene and Δ3-carene). We found that the molecular structure of precursors can largely influence the SOA formation under high RH by impacting the multi-generation reactions. Our results could advance knowledge on the roles of water content in aerosol formation and inform ongoing research on particle environmental effects and applications in models.
Yangzhihao Zhan, Min Xie, Wei Zhao, Tijian Wang, Da Gao, Pulong Chen, Jun Tian, Kuanguang Zhu, Shu Li, Bingliang Zhuang, Mengmeng Li, Yi Luo, and Runqi Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9837–9852, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9837-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9837-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Although the main source contribution of pollution is secondary inorganic aerosols in Nanjing, health risks mainly come from industry sources and vehicle emissions. Therefore, the development of megacities should pay more attention to the health burden of vehicle emissions, coal combustion, and industrial processes. This study provides new insight into assessing the relationship between source apportionment and health risks and can provide valuable insight into air pollution strategies.
Jonathan P. D. Abbatt and A. R. Ravishankara
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9765–9785, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9765-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9765-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
With important climate and air quality impacts, atmospheric multiphase chemistry involves gas interactions with aerosol particles and cloud droplets. We summarize the status of the field and discuss potential directions for future growth. We highlight the importance of a molecular-level understanding of the chemistry, along with atmospheric field studies and modeling, and emphasize the necessity for atmospheric multiphase chemists to interact widely with scientists from neighboring disciplines.
Cited articles
Bao, M., Zhang, Y.-L., Cao, F., Lin, Y.-C., Hong, Y., Fan, M., Zhang, Y., Yang, X., and Xie, F.: Light absorption and source apportionment of water soluble humic-like substances (HULIS) in PM2.5 at Nanjing, China, Environ. Res., 206, 112554, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112554, 2022.
Birdwell, J. E. and Valsaraj, K. T.: Characterization of dissolved organic matter in fogwater by excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy, Atmos. Environ., 44, 3246–3253, 2010.
Cao, T., Li, M., Zou, C., Fan, X., Song, J., Jia, W., Yu, C., Yu, Z., and Peng, P.: Chemical composition, optical properties, and oxidative potential of water- and methanol-soluble organic compounds emitted from the combustion of biomass materials and coal, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13187–13205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13187-2021, 2021.
Cao, T., Li, M., Xu, C., Song, J., Fan, X., Li, J., Jia, W., and Peng, P.: Technical note: Chemical composition and source identification of fluorescent components in atmospheric water-soluble brown carbon by excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis – potential limitations and applications, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2613–2625, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2613-2023, 2023.
Chen, J., Wu, Z. J., Zhao, X., Wang, Y. J., Chen, J. C., Qiu, Y. T., Zong, T. M., Chen, H. X., Wang, B. B., Lin, P., Liu, W., Guo, S., Yao, M. S., Zeng, L. M., Wex, H., Liu, X., Hu, M., and Li, S. M.: Atmospheric Humic-Like Substances (HULIS) Act as Ice Active Entities, Geophys. Res. Lett., 48, e2021GL092443, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092443, 2021a.
Chen, Q., Hua, X., and Dyussenova, A.: Evolution of the chromophore aerosols and its driving factors in summertime Xi'an, Northwest China, Chemosphere, 281, 130838, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130838, 2021b.
Chen, W., Westerhoff, P., Leenheer, J. A., and Booksh, K.: Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Matrix Regional Integration to Quantify Spectra for Dissolved Organic Matter, Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 5701–5710, 2003.
Di Lorenzo, R. A., Washenfelder, R. A., Attwood, A. R., Guo, H., Xu, L., Ng, N. L., Weber, R. J., Baumann, K., Edgerton, E., and Young, C. J.: Molecular-Size-Separated Brown Carbon Absorption for Biomass-Burning Aerosol at Multiple Field Sites, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 3128–3137, 2017.
Di Lorenzo, R. A., Place, B. K., VandenBoer, T. C., and Young, C. J.: Composition of Size-Resolved Aged Boreal Fire Aerosols: Brown Carbon, Biomass Burning Tracers, and Reduced Nitrogen, ACS Earth Space Chem., 2, 278–285, 2018.
Dinar, E., Taraniuk, I., Graber, E. R., Anttila, T., Mentel, T. F., and Rudich, Y.: Hygroscopic growth of atmospheric and model humic-like substances, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 112, D05211, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007442, 2007.
Fan, X., Song, J., and Peng, P.: Comparative study for separation of atmospheric humic-like substance (HULIS) by ENVI-18, HLB, XAD-8 and DEAE sorbents: elemental composition, FT-IR, 1H NMR and off-line thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), Chemosphere, 93, 1710–1719, 2013.
Fan, X., Song, J., and Peng, P. a.: Temporal variations of the abundance and optical properties of water soluble Humic-Like Substances (HULIS) in PM2.5 at Guangzhou, China, Atmos. Res., 172–173, 8–15, 2016a.
Fan, X., Wei, S., Zhu, M., Song, J., and Peng, P.: Comprehensive characterization of humic-like substances in smoke PM2.5 emitted from the combustion of biomass materials and fossil fuels, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13321–13340, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13321-2016, 2016b.
Fan, X., Li, M., Cao, T., Cheng, C., Li, F., Xie, Y., Wei, S., Song, J., and Peng, P. a.: Optical properties and oxidative potential of water- and alkaline-soluble brown carbon in smoke particles emitted from laboratory simulated biomass burning, Atmos. Environ., 194, 48–57, 2018.
Fan, X., Yu, X., Wang, Y., Xiao, X., Li, F., Xie, Y., Wei, S., Song, J., and Peng, P. a.: The aging behaviors of chromophoric biomass burning brown carbon during dark aqueous hydroxyl radical oxidation processes in laboratory studies, Atmos. Environ., 205, 9–18, 2019.
Fan, X., Cao, T., Yu, X., Wang, Y., Xiao, X., Li, F., Xie, Y., Ji, W., Song, J., and Peng, P.: The evolutionary behavior of chromophoric brown carbon during ozone aging of fine particles from biomass burning, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 4593–4605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4593-2020, 2020.
Fan, X., Cai, F., Xu, C., Yu, X., Wang, Y., Xiao, X., Ji, W., Cao, T., Song, J., and Peng, P. a.: Molecular weight-dependent abundance, absorption, and fluorescence characteristics of water-soluble organic matter in atmospheric aerosols, Atmos. Environ., 247, 118159, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118159, 2021.
Fan, X., Cheng, A., Chen, D., Cao, T., Ji, W., Song, J., and Peng, P.: Investigating the molecular weight distribution of atmospheric water-soluble brown carbon using high-performance size exclusion chromatography coupled with diode array and fluorescence detectors, Chemosphere, 338, 139517, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139517, 2023.
Fan, X. J., Song, J. Z., and Peng, P. a.: Comparison of isolation and quantification methods to measure humic-like substances (HULIS) in atmospheric particles, Atmos. Environ., 60, 366–374, 2012.
Graber, E. R. and Rudich, Y.: Atmospheric HULIS: How humic-like are they? A comprehensive and critical review, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 729–753, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-729-2006, 2006.
He, T., Wu, Y., Wang, D., Cai, J., Song, J., Yu, Z., Zeng, X., and Peng, P. a.: Molecular compositions and optical properties of water-soluble brown carbon during the autumn and winter in Guangzhou, China, Atmos. Environ., 296, 119573, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119573, 2023.
Huo, Y., Wang, Y., Qi, W., Jiang, M., and Li, M.: Comprehensive characterizations of HULIS in fresh and secondary emissions of crop straw burning, Atmos. Environ., 248, 118220, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118220, 2021.
Kawasaki, N., Matsushige, K., Komatsu, K., Kohzu, A., Nara, F. W., Ogishi, F., Yahata, M., Mikami, H., Goto, T., and Imai, A.: Fast and precise method for HPLC–size exclusion chromatography with UV and TOC (NDIR) detection: Importance of multiple detectors to evaluate the characteristics of dissolved organic matter, Water Res., 45, 6240–6248, 2011.
Kumar, V., Goel, A., and Rajput, P.: Compositional and surface characterization of HULIS by UV-Vis, FTIR, NMR and XPS: Wintertime study in Northern India, Atmos. Environ., 164, 468–475, 2017.
Li, X., Yu, F., Cao, J., Fu, P., Hua, X., Chen, Q., Li, J., Guan, D., Tripathee, L., Chen, Q., and Wang, Y.: Chromophoric dissolved organic carbon cycle and its molecular compositions and optical properties in precipitation in the Guanzhong basin, China, Sci. Total Environ., 814, 152775, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152775, 2022.
Lin, P., Rincon, A. G., Kalberer, M., and Yu, J. Z.: Elemental composition of HULIS in the Pearl River Delta Region, China: results inferred from positive and negative electrospray high resolution mass spectrometric data, Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 7454–7462, 2012.
Ma, Y., Cheng, Y., Qiu, X., Cao, G., Kuang, B., Yu, J. Z., and Hu, D.: Optical properties, source apportionment and redox activity of humic-like substances (HULIS) in airborne fine particulates in Hong Kong, Environ. Pollut., 255, 113087, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113087, 2019.
Mukherjee, A., Dey, S., Rana, A., Jia, S., Banerjee, S., and Sarkar, S.: Sources and atmospheric processing of brown carbon and HULIS in the Indo-Gangetic Plain: Insights from compositional analysis, Environ. Pollut., 267, 115440, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115440, 2020.
Ning, C., Gao, Y., Zhang, H., Yu, H., Wang, L., Geng, N., Cao, R., and Chen, J.: Molecular characterization of dissolved organic matters in winter atmospheric fine particulate matters (PM2.5) from a coastal city of northeast China, Sci. Total Environ., 689, 312–321, 2019.
Phillips, S. M., Bellcross, A. D., and Smith, G. D.: Light Absorption by Brown Carbon in the Southeastern United States is pH-dependent, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 6782–6790, 2017.
Piccolo, A.: The supramolecular structure of humic substances: A novel understanding of humus chemistry and implications in soil science, Adv. Agron., 75, 57–134, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(02)75003-7, 2002.
Qin, J., Zhang, L., Zhou, X., Duan, J., Mu, S., Xiao, K., Hu, J., and Tan, J.: Fluorescence fingerprinting properties for exploring water-soluble organic compounds in PM2.5 in an industrial city of northwest China, Atmos. Environ., 184, 203–211, 2018.
Qin, J., Zhang, L., Qin, Y., Shi, S., Li, J., Gao, Y., Tan, J., and Wang, X.: pH-Dependent Chemical Transformations of Humic-Like Substances and Further Cognitions Revealed by Optical Methods, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 7578–7587, 2022.
Santos, P. S. M., Otero, M., Duarte, R. M. B. O., and Duarte, A. C.: Spectroscopic characterization of dissolved organic matter isolated from rainwater, Chemosphere, 74, 1053–1061, 2009.
Santos, P. S. M., Santos, E. B. H., and Duarte, A. C.: First spectroscopic study on the structural features of dissolved organic matter isolated from rainwater in different seasons, Sci. Total Environ., 426, 172–179, 2012.
Song, J., Li, M., Jiang, B., Wei, S., Fan, X., and Peng, P.: Molecular Characterization of Water-Soluble Humic like Substances in Smoke Particles Emitted from Combustion of Biomass Materials and Coal Using Ultrahigh-Resolution Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 2575–2585, 2018.
Song, J., Li, M., Zou, C., Cao, T., Fan, X., Jiang, B., Yu, Z., Jia, W., and Peng, P. a.: Molecular Characterization of Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in Humic-like Substances Emitted from Biomass Burning and Coal Combustion, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 119–130, 2022.
Song, J. Z., Huang, W. L., Peng, P. a., Xiao, B. H., and Ma, Y. J.: Humic Acid Molecular Weight Estimation by High-Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography with Ultraviolet Absorbance Detection and Refractive Index Detection, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 74, 2013–2020, 2010.
Sun, H., Li, X., Zhu, C., Huo, Y., Zhu, Z., Wei, Y., Yao, L., Xiao, H., and Chen, J.: Molecular composition and optical property of humic-like substances (HULIS) in winter-time PM2.5 in the rural area of North China Plain, Atmos. Environ., 252, 118316, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118316, 2021.
Sun, H., Wu, Z., Kang, X., Zhu, C., Yu, L., Li, R., Lin, Z., and Chen, J.: Molecular characterization of humic-like substances (HULIS) in atmospheric particles (PM2.5) in offshore Eastern China Sea (OECS) using solid-phase extraction coupled with ESI FT-ICR MS, Atmos. Environ., 294, 119523, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119523, 2023.
Wang, K., Zhang, Y., Huang, R.-J., Cao, J., and Hoffmann, T.: UHPLC-Orbitrap mass spectrometric characterization of organic aerosol from a central European city (Mainz, Germany) and a Chinese megacity (Beijing), Atmos. Environ., 189, 22–29, 2018.
Wang, X., Qin, Y., Qin, J., Long, X., Qi, T., Chen, R., Xiao, K., and Tan, J.: Spectroscopic insight into the pH-dependent interactions between atmospheric heavy metals (Cu and Zn) and water-soluble organic compounds in PM2.5, Sci. Total Environ., 767, 145261, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145261, 2021a.
Wang, X., Qin, Y. Y., Qin, J. J., Yang, Y. R., Qi, T., Chen, R. Z., Tan, J. H., and Xiao, K.: The interaction laws of atmospheric heavy metal ions and water-soluble organic compounds in PM2.5 based on the excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy, J. Hazard. Mater., 402, 123497, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123497, 2021b.
Wang, Y., Hu, M., Lin, P., Tan, T., Li, M., Xu, N., Zheng, J., Du, Z., Qin, Y., Wu, Y., Lu, S., Song, Y., Wu, Z., Guo, S., Zeng, L., Huang, X., and He, L.: Enhancement in Particulate Organic Nitrogen and Light Absorption of Humic-Like Substances over Tibetan Plateau Due to Long-Range Transported Biomass Burning Emissions, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 14222–14232, 2019.
Win, M. S., Tian, Z., Zhao, H., Xiao, K., Peng, J., Shang, Y., Wu, M., Xiu, G., Lu, S., Yonemochi, S., and Wang, Q.: Atmospheric HULIS and its ability to mediate the reactive oxygen species (ROS): A review, J. Environ. Sci.-China, 71, 13–31, 2018.
Wong, J. P. S., Nenes, A., and Weber, R. J.: Changes in Light Absorptivity of Molecular Weight Separated Brown Carbon Due to Photolytic Aging, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 8414–8421, 2017.
Wong, J. P. S., Tsagkaraki, M., Tsiodra, I., Mihalopoulos, N., Violaki, K., Kanakidou, M., Sciare, J., Nenes, A., and Weber, R. J.: Atmospheric evolution of molecular-weight-separated brown carbon from biomass burning, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 7319–7334, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7319-2019, 2019.
Wu, G., Wan, X., Gao, S., Fu, P., Yin, Y., Li, G., Zhang, G., Kang, S., Ram, K., and Cong, Z.: Humic-Like Substances (HULIS) in Aerosols of Central Tibetan Plateau (Nam Co, 4730 m asl): Abundance, Light Absorption Properties, and Sources, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 7203–7211, 2018.
Wu, G., Wan, X., Ram, K., Li, P., Liu, B., Yin, Y., Fu, P., Loewen, M., Gao, S., Kang, S., Kawamura, K., Wang, Y., and Cong, Z.: Light absorption, fluorescence properties and sources of brown carbon aerosols in the Southeast Tibetan Plateau, Environ. Pollut., 257, 113616, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113616, 2020.
Wu, G., Fu, P., Ram, K., Song, J., Chen, Q., Kawamura, K., Wan, X., Kang, S., Wang, X., Laskin, A., and Cong, Z.: Fluorescence characteristics of water-soluble organic carbon in atmospheric aerosol?, Environ. Pollut., 268, 115906, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115906, 2021.
Yuan, W., Huang, R.-J., Yang, L., Ni, H., Wang, T., Cao, W., Duan, J., Guo, J., Huang, H., and Hoffmann, T.: Concentrations, optical properties and sources of humic-like substances (HULIS) in fine particulate matter in Xi'an, Northwest China, Sci. Total Environ., 789, 147902, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147902, 2021.
Zeng, Y., Ning, Y., Shen, Z., Zhang, L., Zhang, T., Lei, Y., Zhang, Q., Li, G., Xu, H., Ho, S. S. H., and Cao, J.: The Roles of N, S, and O in Molecular Absorption Features of Brown Carbon in PM2.5 in a Typical Semi-Arid Megacity in Northwestern China, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, e2021JD034791, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD034791, 2021.
Zhang, T., Shen, Z., Zhang, L., Tang, Z., Zhang, Q., Chen, Q., Lei, Y., Zeng, Y., Xu, H., and Cao, J.: PM2.5 Humic-like substances over Xi'an, China: Optical properties, chemical functional group, and source identification, Atmos. Res., 234, 104784, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2019.104784, 2020.
Zhang, T., Shen, Z., Zeng, Y., Cheng, C., Wang, D., Zhang, Q., Lei, Y., Zhang, Y., Sun, J., Xu, H., Ho, S. S. H., and Cao, J.: Light absorption properties and molecular profiles of HULIS in PM2.5 emitted from biomass burning in traditional “Heated Kang” in Northwest China, Sci. Total Environ., 776, 146014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146014, 2021.
Zhang, T., Huang, S., Wang, D., Sun, J., Zhang, Q., Xu, H., Hang Ho, S. S., Cao, J., and Shen, Z.: Seasonal and diurnal variation of PM2.5 HULIS over Xi'an in Northwest China: Optical properties, chemical functional group, and relationship with reactive oxygen species (ROS), Atmos. Environ., 268, 118782, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118782, 2022a.
Zhang, T., Shen, Z., Huang, S., Lei, Y., Zeng, Y., Sun, J., Zhang, Q., Ho, S. S. H., Xu, H., and Cao, J.: Optical properties, molecular characterizations, and oxidative potentials of different polarity levels of water-soluble organic matters in winter PM2.5 in six China's megacities, Sci. Total Environ., 853, 158600, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158600, 2022b.
Zhang, W., Li, L., Wang, D., Wang, R., Yu, S., and Gao, N.: Characterizing dissolved organic matter in aquatic environments by size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiple detectors, Anal. Chim. Acta, 1191, 339358, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2021.339358, 2022.
Zheng, G. J., He, K. B., Duan, F. K., Cheng, Y., and Ma, Y. L.: Measurement of humic-like substances in aerosols: A review, Environ. Pollut., 181, 301–314, 2013.
Zou, C., Li, M., Cao, T., Zhu, M., Fan, X., Peng, S., Song, J., Jiang, B., Jia, W., Yu, C., Song, H., Yu, Z., Li, J., Zhang, G., and Peng, P. a.: Comparison of solid phase extraction methods for the measurement of humic-like substances (HULIS) in atmospheric particles, Atmos. Environ., 225, 117370, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117370, 2020.
Zou, C., Cao, T., Li, M., Song, J., Jiang, B., Jia, W., Li, J., Ding, X., Yu, Z., Zhang, G., and Peng, P.: Measurement report: Changes in light absorption and molecular composition of water-soluble humic-like substances during a winter haze bloom-decay process in Guangzhou, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 963–979, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-963-2023, 2023.
Short summary
Molecular-level characteristics of high molecular weight (HMW) and low MW (LMW) humic-like substances (HULIS) were comprehensively investigated, where HMW HULIS had larger chromophores and larger molecular size than LMW HULIS and exhibited higher aromaticity and humification. Electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed more aromatic molecules in HMW HULIS. HMW HULIS had more CHON compounds, while LMW HULIS had more CHO compounds.
Molecular-level characteristics of high molecular weight (HMW) and low MW (LMW) humic-like...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint