Articles | Volume 24, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7755-2024
© 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-24-7755-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
09 Jul 2024
Research article |
| 09 Jul 2024
| 09 Jul 2024
The water-insoluble organic carbon in PM2.5 of typical Chinese urban areas: light-absorbing properties, potential sources, radiative forcing effects, and a possible light-absorbing continuum
Yangzhi Mo
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
Guangcai Zhong
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
Sanyuan Zhu
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
Shizhen Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
Jiao Tang
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
Hongxing Jiang
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
Zhineng Cheng
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
Chongguo Tian
Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
Yingjun Chen
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
Gan Zhang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 13711–13727, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13711-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13711-2025, 2025
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We combined the use of a series of online and offline high-resolution mass spectrometer to characterize the chemical composition and sources of organic aerosols in a background site of south China from bulk to molecular levels. We suggested that anthropogenic source dominated the OA origins, and the gas-phase and particle-phase oxidation processes are conducive to the formation of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds, respectively.
Tao Cao, Cuncun Xu, Hao Chen, Jianzhong Song, Jun Li, Haiyan Song, Bin Jiang, Yin Zhong, and Ping'an Peng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11597–11610, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11597-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11597-2025, 2025
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Pingyang Li, Boji Lin, Zhihua Zhou, Jing Li, Zhineng Cheng, Jun Li, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Guangcai Zhong, and Gan Zhang
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This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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Urban areas exhibit high carbon footprints yet significant mitigation potential, requiring precise quantification of CO2 sources for effective carbon budgeting. While previous studies focused predominantly on fossil fuel CO2, biogenic CO2 (CO2bio) dynamics remain less understood. Here we show that Δ14CO2 tracers – combined with multi-source data – enable partitioning of CO2bio into three components and identification of their seasonal drivers, advancing our understanding of urban carbon budgets.
Yuying Wu, Yuhan Wang, Wenzheng Yang, Jie Zhang, Yanhong Wu, Jun Li, Gan Zhang, and Haijian Bing
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 4779–4797, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4779-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4779-2025, 2025
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We developed a large, open-access dataset of mountain soil chemistry in China, based on over 1,300 samples from 166 sites across diverse climates and vegetation types. The dataset includes concentrations of 24 elements and key environmental variables like temperature, rainfall, and soil properties. This dataset offers a valuable resource for studying mountain ecosystems, supporting Earth system modeling, and predicting how soils respond to environmental change.
Yanjie Lu, Xinxin Feng, Yanli Feng, Minjun Jiang, Yu Peng, Tian Chen, and Yingjun Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8043–8059, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8043-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8043-2025, 2025
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Through lab tests and field measurements from typical sources, we found that carbonyl compounds from biomass burning are an order of magnitude higher than those from vehicles. The formation of carbonyl compounds in solid and liquid fuel is governed by combustion temperature and emission standards, respectively. Fuel type determines the chemical composition. Biomass burning and farm machinery are key drivers of atmospheric oxidation capacity. This study provides actionable solutions to safeguard public health.
Binyu Xiao, Fan Zhang, Zeyu Liu, Yan Zhang, Rui Li, Can Wu, Xinyi Wan, Yi Wang, Yubao Chen, Yong Han, Min Cui, Libo Zhang, Yingjun Chen, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7053–7069, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7053-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7053-2025, 2025
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Intermediate-volatility/semi-volatile organic compounds in gas and particle phases from ship exhausts are enhanced due to the switch of fuels from low sulfur to ultra-low sulfur. The findings indicate that optimization is necessary for the forthcoming global implementation of an ultra-low-sulfur oil policy. Besides, we find that organic diagnostic markers of hopanes in conjunction with the ratio of octadecanoic to tetradecanoic could be considered potential tracers for heavy fuel oil exhausts.
Pingyang Li, Boji Lin, Zhineng Cheng, Jing Li, Jun Li, Duohong Chen, Tao Zhang, Run Lin, Sanyuan Zhu, Jun Liu, Yujun Lin, Shizhen Zhao, Guangcai Zhong, Zhenchuan Niu, Ping Ding, and Gan Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1931, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1931, 2025
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Our study indicates fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff) reductions in Chinese megacities via atmospheric Δ(14CO2) and δ(13CO2) measurements, driven by coal-to-gas transitions and combustion efficiency improvement. Three-decade data show steeper declined urban RCO/CO2ff ratios than inventory estimates, implying underestimation of efficiency improvements and CO reductions. Integrating top-down observations with inventories is critical to track policy-driven emission shifts and optimize co-benefit strategies.
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.
Fan Zhang, Binyu Xiao, Zeyu Liu, Yan Zhang, Chongguo Tian, Rui Li, Can Wu, Yali Lei, Si Zhang, Xinyi Wan, Yubao Chen, Yong Han, Min Cui, Cheng Huang, Hongli Wang, Yingjun Chen, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8999–9017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8999-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8999-2024, 2024
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Mandatory use of low-sulfur fuel due to global sulfur limit regulations means large uncertainties in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. On-board tests of VOCs from nine cargo ships in China were carried out. Results showed that switching from heavy-fuel oil to diesel increased emission factor VOCs by 48 % on average, enhancing O3 and the secondary organic aerosol formation potential. Thus, implementing a global ultra-low-sulfur oil policy needs to be optimized in the near future.
Wenwen Ma, Rong Sun, Xiaoping Wang, Zheng Zong, Shizhen Zhao, Zeyu Sun, Chongguo Tian, Jianhui Tang, Song Cui, Jun Li, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1509–1523, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1509-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1509-2024, 2024
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This is the first report of long-term atmospheric PAH monitoring around the Bohai Sea. The results showed that the concentrations of PAHs in the atmosphere around the Bohai Sea decreased from June 2014 to May 2019, especially the concentrations of highly toxic PAHs. This indicates that the contributions from PAH sources changed to a certain extent in different areas, and it also led to reductions in the related health risk and medical costs following pollution prevention and control.
Zeyu Sun, Zheng Zong, Yang Tan, Chongguo Tian, Zeyu Liu, Fan Zhang, Rong Sun, Yingjun Chen, Jun Li, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12851–12865, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12851-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12851-2023, 2023
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This is the first report of ship-emitted nitrogen stable isotope composition (δ15N) of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The results showed that δ15N–NOx from ships was −18.5 ± 10.9 ‰ and increased monotonically with tightening emission regulations. The selective catalytic reduction system was the most vital factor. The temporal variation in δ15N–NOx was evaluated and can be used to select suitable δ15N–NOx for a more accurate assessment of the contribution of ship-emitted exhaust to atmospheric NOx.
Mengying Bao, Yan-Lin Zhang, Fang Cao, Yihang Hong, Yu-Chi Lin, Mingyuan Yu, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Rongshuang Xu, and Xiaoying Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8305–8324, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8305-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8305-2023, 2023
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The interaction between the sources and molecular compositions of humic-like substances (HULIS) at Nanjing, China, was explored. Significant fossil fuel source contributions to HULIS were found in the 14C results from biomass burnng and traffic emissions. Increasing biogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) products and anthropogenic aromatic compounds were detected in summer and winter, respectively.
Xiangyun Zhang, Jun Li, Sanyuan Zhu, Junwen Liu, Ping Ding, Shutao Gao, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, Ping'an Peng, and Gan Zhang
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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.
Tingting Li, Jun Li, Zeyu Sun, Hongxing Jiang, Chongguo Tian, and Gan Zhang
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N-NH4+ and N-NO3- were vital components in nitrogenous aerosols and contributed 69 % to total nitrogen in PM2.5. Coal combustion was still the most important source of urban atmospheric NO3-. However, the non-agriculture sources play an increasingly important role in NH4+ emissions.
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Preprint archived
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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
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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.
Buqing Xu, Jiao Tang, Tiangang Tang, Shizhen Zhao, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Jun Li, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1565–1578, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1565-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1565-2023, 2023
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We analyzed compound-specific dual-carbon isotope signatures (Δ14C and δ13C) of dominant secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracer molecules (i.e., oxalic acid) to investigate the fates of SOAs in the atmosphere at five emission hotspots in China. The results indicated that SOA carbon sources and chemical processes producing SOAs vary spatially and seasonally, and these variations need to be included in Chinese climate projection models and air quality management practices.
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
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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.
Hongxing Jiang, Jun Li, Jiao Tang, Min Cui, Shizhen Zhao, Yangzhi Mo, Chongguo Tian, Xiangyun Zhang, Bin Jiang, Yuhong Liao, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 6919–6935, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6919-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6919-2022, 2022
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We conducted field observation employing Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to characterize the molecular composition and major formation pathways or sources of organosulfur compounds in Guangzhou, where is heavily influenced by biogenic–anthropogenic interactions and has high relative humidity and temperature. We suggested that heterogeneous reactions such as SO2 uptake and heterogeneous oxidations are important to the molecular variations of organosulfur compounds.
Jiao Tang, Jiaqi Wang, Guangcai Zhong, Hongxing Jiang, Yangzhi Mo, Bolong Zhang, Xiaofei Geng, Yingjun Chen, Jianhui Tang, Congguo Tian, Surat Bualert, Jun Li, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 11337–11352, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11337-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11337-2021, 2021
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This article provides a combined EEM–PARAFAC and statistical analysis method to explore how excitation–emission matrix (EEM) chromophores influence BrC light absorption in soluble organic matter. The application enables us to deduce that BrC absorption is mainly dependent on longer-emission-wavelength chromophores largely associated with biomass burning emissions. This method promotes the application of EEM spectroscopy and helps us understand the light absorption of BrC in the atmosphere.
Xuewu Fu, Chen Liu, Hui Zhang, Yue Xu, Hui Zhang, Jun Li, Xiaopu Lyu, Gan Zhang, Hai Guo, Xun Wang, Leiming Zhang, and Xinbin Feng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6721–6734, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6721-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6721-2021, 2021
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TGM concentrations and isotopic compositions in 10 Chinese cities showed strong seasonality with higher TGM concentrations and Δ199Hg and lower δ202Hg in summer. We found the seasonal variations in TGM concentrations and isotopic compositions were highly related to regional surface Hg(0) emissions, suggesting land surface Hg(0) emissions are an important source of atmospheric TGM that contribute dominantly to the seasonal variations in TGM concentrations and isotopic compositions.
Jianzhong Sun, Yuzhe Zhang, Guorui Zhi, Regina Hitzenberger, Wenjing Jin, Yingjun Chen, Lei Wang, Chongguo Tian, Zhengying Li, Rong Chen, Wen Xiao, Yuan Cheng, Wei Yang, Liying Yao, Yang Cao, Duo Huang, Yueyuan Qiu, Jiali Xu, Xiaofei Xia, Xin Yang, Xi Zhang, Zheng Zong, Yuchun Song, and Changdong Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2329–2341, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2329-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2329-2021, 2021
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Brown carbon (BrC) emission factors from household biomass fuels were measured with an integrating sphere optics approach supported by iterative calculations. A novel algorithm to directly estimate the absorption contribution of BrC relative to that of BrC + black carbon (FBrC) was proposed based purely on the absorption exponent (AAE)
(FBrC = 0.5519 lnAAE + 0.0067). The FBrC for household biomass fuels was as high as 50.8 % across the strongest solar spectral range of 350−850 nm.
Qingcai Chen, Haoyao Sun, Wenhuai Song, Fang Cao, Chongguo Tian, and Yan-Lin Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14407–14417, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14407-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14407-2020, 2020
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This study found environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are widely present in atmospheric particles of different particle sizes and exhibit significant particle size distribution characteristics. EPFR concentrations are higher in coarse particles than in fine particles in summer and vice versa in winter. The potential toxicity caused by EPFRs may also vary with particle size and season. Combustion is the most important source of EPFRs (>70 %).
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Short summary
In this study, we found that biomass burning (31.0 %) and coal combustion (31.1 %) were the dominant sources of water-insoluble organic carbon in China, with coal combustion sources exhibiting the strongest light-absorbing capacity. Additionally, we propose a light-absorbing carbonaceous continuum, revealing that components enriched with fossil sources tend to have stronger light-absorbing capacity, higher aromaticity, higher molecular weights, and greater recalcitrance in the atmosphere.
In this study, we found that biomass burning (31.0 %) and coal combustion (31.1 %) were the...
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