Articles | Volume 25, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11233-2025
© Author(s) 2025. 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-25-11233-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
25 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 25 Sep 2025
| 25 Sep 2025
Refractive index enhancement by secondary organic aerosol formation in humid southern China challenges model assumptions
Junlin Shen
Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, Guangdong, China
Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, Guangdong, China
Li Liu
Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology of China Meteorological Administration, GBA Academy of Meteorological Research, Guangzhou, 510640, China
Fengling Yuan
Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, Guangdong, China
Biao Luo
Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, Guangdong, China
Hongqing Qiao
Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, Guangdong, China
Miaomiao Zhai
Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, Guangdong, China
Gang Zhao
Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas, Minzu University of China, National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
Hanbing Xu
School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, Guangdong, China
Xiamen Key Laboratory of Straits Meteorology, Xiamen Meteorological Bureau, Xiamen, 361012, Fujian, China
Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology of China Meteorological Administration, GBA Academy of Meteorological Research, Guangzhou, 510640, China
Tao Deng
Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology of China Meteorological Administration, GBA Academy of Meteorological Research, Guangzhou, 510640, China
Xuejiao Deng
Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology of China Meteorological Administration, GBA Academy of Meteorological Research, Guangzhou, 510640, China
Related authors
No articles found.
Huanpeng Wang, Liya Fan, Xuejiao Deng, Haomin Huang, and Daiqi Ye
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-25, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-25, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates how weather types drive nocturnal ozone increase (NOI). We resolve four primary weather types in the North China Plain: A-type (57.36 %), S-type (20.81 %), C-type (11.17 %), and WNE-type (10.66 %). Driven by these weather systems, high-pressure subsidence (A-type and WNE-type), cold pool subsidence (S-type), and shallow convection (C-type) act as key drivers, facilitating the episodic intrusion of ozone-rich air from the nocturnal residual layer to the surface.
Weibin Zhu, Sai Shang, Jieqi Wang, Yunfei Wu, Zhaoze Deng, Liang Ran, Ye Kuang, Guiqian Tang, Xiangpeng Huang, Xiaole Pan, Lanzhong Liu, Weiqi Xu, Yele Sun, Bo Hu, Zifa Wang, and Zirui Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 1947–1965, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-1947-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-1947-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
NPF (new particle formation) is a key global CCN (cloud condensation nuclei) source, but its contribution at the polluted boundary-layer top remains unclear. Based on mountaintop observations in the Yangtze River Delta, we show that under polluted conditions, NPF at the boundary-layer top is enhanced and accelerates its conversion to CCN. Ammonia plays a key role, and a newly defined "Time Window" metric highlights the importance of oxidation-driven growth and regional transport in this process.
Song Liu, Xiaopu Lyu, Fumo Yang, Zongbo Shi, Xin Huang, Tengyu Liu, Hongli Wang, Mei Li, Jian Gao, Nan Chen, Guoliang Shi, Yu Zou, Chenglei Pei, Chengxu Tong, Xinyi Liu, Li Zhou, Alex B. Guenther, and Nan Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 635–646, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-635-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-635-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the invisible gas isoprene, which trees and vehicles release into the air and which can worsen urban smog. Using advanced computer learning trained on measurements from many cities, we uncovered how temperature, sunlight, and city greening shape isoprene levels. Comparing Hong Kong and London, we found climate warming boosts isoprene and future ozone pollution, but strong cuts in anthropogenic emission could limit this impact.
Jingnan Shi, Zhisheng Zhang, Li Li, Li Liu, Yaqing Zhou, Shuang Han, Shaobin Zhang, Minghua Liang, Linhong Xie, Weikang Ran, Shaowen Zhu, Hanbing Xu, Jiangchuan Tao, Alfred Wiedensohler, Qiaoqiao Wang, Qiyuan Wang, Nan Ma, and Juan Hong
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-1-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-1-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines the aerosol hygroscopicity and mixing state at Huashan (2060 m), a key free tropospheric site in central China. We find that hygroscopicity depends on particle size, source-related changes, and moisture-driven processing, which distinguishes this region from other high-altitude regions and may provide key constraints for aerosol-cloud and regional climate models.
Yike Wang, Yueming Cheng, Boru Mai, Tie Dai, Xuejiao Deng, Tao Deng, Xiaoli Zhao, Yiwei Diao, Feng Xia, Miao Liang, Ying Li, and Yixiao Zhu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6272, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6272, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a carbon assimilation system to construct a near-real-time 4-km anthropogenic inventory in the Pearl River Delta. We analyze spatiotemporal emission distributions, compare the inversion inventories against statistical emissions, and elucidate their relationship with ambient CO2 concentrations. The results of this study provide a robust scientific basis for advancing the dynamic updating and quantitative evaluation of anthropogenic emissions across meso- to microscale domains.
Shanshan Ouyang, Tao Deng, Jingyang Chen, Run Liu, Xiaoyang Chen, Jinnan Yuan, Yanyan Huang, and Shaw Chen Liu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5765, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5765, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Northward tropical cyclones (TCs) with intensities reaching typhoon level (TY) elevate ozone concentration in southeastern China via stronger solar radiation, higher boundary layer height, lower relative humidity, and more stagnant air, with ozone remaining high but not rising further when TC intensity exceeds TY. Numerical simulations with TC intensity sensitivity experiments reveal that these TCs can increase ozone by over 10 ppb, with changes in biogenic emissions contributing 1–3 ppb.
Yi Zhang, Weiqi Xu, Yan Li, Guohua Zhang, Dantong Liu, Ye Kuang, Yu Zhang, Wei Zhou, Xiaocong Peng, Bojiang Su, Weihong Huang, Zijun Zhang, Liu Yang, Yangzhou Wu, Siyuan Li, Shitong Zhao, Lanzhong Liu, Xiaole Pan, Zifa Wang, Xinhui Bi, Mikael Ehn, Douglas R. Worsnop, and Yele Sun
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5835, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5835, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores how clouds influence the chemical composition of air particles through field research at a high-altitude station in southeastern China across different seasons. We found that different cloud types cause varying degrees of chemical changes in these particles. These findings enhance our understanding of the impact of clouds on air quality and contribute to improving climate models.
Yuhang Hao, Peizhao Li, Yafeng Gou, Zhenshuai Wang, Mi Tian, Yang Chen, Ye Kuang, Hanbing Xu, Fenglian Wan, Yuqian Luo, Wei Huang, and Jing Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12811–12830, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12811-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12811-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Intensified heatwaves under global warming have influenced new particle formation (NPF) and related aerosol physicochemical properties. We show that aerosol optical hygroscopicity (f(RH)) was generally higher on NPF days than in non-event cases, likely due to enhanced secondary formation and subsequent growth of both pre-existing and newly formed particles with stronger photooxidation, specifically under persistent heatwaves. This would further impact the aerosol direct radiative forcing.
Gang Zhao, Ping Tian, Chunxiang Ye, Weili Lin, Yicheng Gao, Jie Sun, Yi Chen, Fengjun Shen, and Tong Zhu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3012, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3012, 2025
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding aerosol size distribution helps us predict how aerosols move, grow, and interact with the environment and climate. We used "maximum entropy" to demonstrate that the aerosol particle number size distribution would follow the Weibull distribution in the clean atmosphere during the new particle formation and growth process. The observations showed good consistency with the theoretical analysis.
Ye Kuang, Biao Luo, Shan Huang, Junwen Liu, Weiwei Hu, Yuwen Peng, Duohong Chen, Dingli Yue, Wanyun Xu, Bin Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3737–3752, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3737-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3737-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This research reveals the potential importance of nighttime NO3 radical chemistry and aerosol water in the rapid formation of secondary brown carbon from diluted biomass burning emissions. The findings enhance our understanding of nighttime biomass burning evolution and its implications for climate and regional air quality, especially regarding interactions with background aerosol water and water-rich fogs and clouds.
Ye Kuang, Jiangchuan Tao, Hanbing Xu, Li Liu, Pengfei Liu, Wanyun Xu, Weiqi Xu, Yele Sun, and Chunsheng Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1163–1174, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1163-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1163-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a novel optical framework to measure supersaturation, a fundamental parameter in cloud physics, by observing the scattering properties of particles that have or have not grown into cloud droplets. The technique offers high-resolution measurements, capturing essential fluctuations in supersaturation necessary for understanding cloud physics.
Lu Zhang, Michal Segal-Rozenhaimer, Haochi Che, Caroline Dang, Junying Sun, Ye Kuang, Paola Formenti, and Steven G. Howell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13849–13864, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13849-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13849-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Using airborne measurements over the southeast Atlantic Ocean, we examined how much moisture aerosols take up during Africa’s biomass burning season. Our study revealed the important role of organic aerosols and introduced a predictive model for moisture uptake, accounting for organics, sulfate, and black carbon, summarizing results from various campaigns. These findings improve our understanding of aerosol–moisture interactions and their radiative effects in this climatically critical region.
Weiqi Xu, Ye Kuang, Wanyun Xu, Zhiqiang Zhang, Biao Luo, Xiaoyi Zhang, Jiangchuang Tao, Hongqin Qiao, Li Liu, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 9387–9399, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9387-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9387-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We deployed an advanced aerosol–fog sampling system at a rural site in the North China Plain to investigate impacts of aerosol hygroscopic growth and activation on the physicochemical properties of submicron aerosols. Observed results highlighted remarkably different aqueous processing of primary and secondary submicron aerosol components under distinct ambient relative humidity (RH) conditions and that RH levels significantly impact aerosol sampling through the aerosol swelling effect.
Jiangchuan Tao, Biao Luo, Weiqi Xu, Gang Zhao, Hanbin Xu, Biao Xue, Miaomiao Zhai, Wanyun Xu, Huarong Zhao, Sanxue Ren, Guangsheng Zhou, Li Liu, Ye Kuang, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 9131–9154, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9131-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9131-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Using simultaneous measurements of DMA–CCNC, H(/V)TDMA, and DMA–SP2, impacts of primary emissions and secondary aerosol formations on changes in aerosol physicochemical properties were comprehensively investigated. It was found that intercomparisons among aerosol mixing-state parameters derived from different techniques can help us gain more insight into aerosol physical properties which, in turn, will aid the investigation of emission characteristics and secondary aerosol formation pathways.
Zijun Zhang, Weiqi Xu, Yi Zhang, Wei Zhou, Xiangyu Xu, Aodong Du, Yinzhou Zhang, Hongqin Qiao, Ye Kuang, Xiaole Pan, Zifa Wang, Xueling Cheng, Lanzhong Liu, Qingyan Fu, Douglas R. Worsnop, Jie Li, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8473–8488, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8473-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8473-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated aerosol composition and sources and the interaction between secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and clouds at a regional mountain site in southeastern China. Clouds efficiently scavenge more oxidized SOA; however, cloud evaporation leads to the production of less oxidized SOA. The unexpectedly high presence of nitrate in aerosol particles indicates that nitrate formed in polluted areas has undergone interactions with clouds, significantly influencing the regional background site.
Liangbin Wu, Cheng Wu, Tao Deng, Dui Wu, Mei Li, Yong Jie Li, and Zhen Zhou
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 2917–2936, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2917-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2917-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Field comparison of dual-spot (AE33) and single-spot (AE31) Aethalometers by full-year collocated measurements suggests that site-specific correction factors are needed to ensure the long-term data continuity for AE31-to-AE33 transition in black carbon monitoring networks; babs agrees well between AE33 and AE31, with slight variations by wavelength (slope: 0.87–1.04; R2: 0.95–0.97). A ~ 20 % difference in secondary brown carbon light absorption was found between AE33 and AE31.
Cuizhi Sun, Yongyun Zhang, Baoling Liang, Min Gao, Xi Sun, Fei Li, Xue Ni, Qibin Sun, Hengjia Ou, Dexian Chen, Shengzhen Zhou, and Jun Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 3043–3063, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3043-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3043-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In a May–June 2021 expedition in the South China Sea, we analyzed black and brown carbon in marine aerosols, key to light absorption and climate impact. Using advanced in situ and microscope techniques, we observed particle size, structure, and tar balls mixed with various elements. Results showed biomass burning and fossil fuels majorly influence light absorption, especially during significant burning events. This research aids the understanding of carbonaceous aerosols' role in marine climate.
Nan Wang, Hongyue Wang, Xin Huang, Xi Chen, Yu Zou, Tao Deng, Tingyuan Li, Xiaopu Lyu, and Fumo Yang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1559–1570, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1559-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1559-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores the influence of extreme-weather-induced natural processes on ozone pollution, which is often overlooked. By analyzing meteorological factors, natural emissions, chemistry pathways and atmospheric transport, we discovered that these natural processes could substantially exacerbate ozone pollution. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of ozone pollution and offer valuable insights for controlling ozone pollution in the context of global warming.
Weilun Zhao, Ying Li, Gang Zhao, Song Guo, Nan Ma, Shuya Hu, and Chunsheng Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14889–14902, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14889-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14889-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Studies have concentrated on particles containing black carbon (BC) smaller than 700 nm because of technical limitations. In this study, BC-containing particles larger than 700 nm (BC>700) were measured, highlighting their importance to total BC mass and absorption. The contribution of BC>700 to the BC direct radiative effect was estimated, highlighting the necessity to consider the whole size range of BC-containing particles in the model estimation of BC radiative effects.
Lu Zhang, Michal Segal-Rozenhaimer, Haochi Che, Caroline Dang, Junying Sun, Ye Kuang, and Paola Formenti
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2319, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2319, 2023
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
Our study examined the interaction between atmospheric particles and moisture over the south-eastern Atlantic Ocean during the biomass burning seasons in Africa. We found that organic components of these particles play a more important role in aerosol-moisture interactions than previously expected. This discovery is important as such interactions impact radiation and climate. Current climate models might need better representations of the moisture-absorbing properties of organic aerosols.
Guowen He, Cheng He, Haofan Wang, Xiao Lu, Chenglei Pei, Xiaonuan Qiu, Chenxi Liu, Yiming Wang, Nanxi Liu, Jinpu Zhang, Lei Lei, Yiming Liu, Haichao Wang, Tao Deng, Qi Fan, and Shaojia Fan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13107–13124, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13107-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13107-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyze nighttime ozone in the lower boundary layer (up to 500 m) from the 2017–2019 measurements at the Canton Tower and the WRF-CMAQ model. We identify a strong ability of the residual layer to store daytime ozone in the convective mixing layer, investigate the chemical and meteorological factors controlling nighttime ozone in the residual layer, and quantify the contribution of nighttime ozone in the residual layer to both the nighttime and the following day’s surface ozone air quality.
Fei Li, Biao Luo, Miaomiao Zhai, Li Liu, Gang Zhao, Hanbing Xu, Tao Deng, Xuejiao Deng, Haobo Tan, Ye Kuang, and Jun Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6545–6558, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6545-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6545-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A field campaign was conducted to study black carbon (BC) mass size distributions and mixing states connected to traffic emissions using a system that combines a differential mobility analyzer and single-particle soot photometer. Results showed that the black carbon content of traffic emissions has a considerable influence on both BC mass size distributions and mixing states, which has crucial implications for accurately representing BC from various sources in regional and climate models.
Juan Hong, Min Tang, Qiaoqiao Wang, Nan Ma, Shaowen Zhu, Shaobin Zhang, Xihao Pan, Linhong Xie, Guo Li, Uwe Kuhn, Chao Yan, Jiangchuan Tao, Ye Kuang, Yao He, Wanyun Xu, Runlong Cai, Yaqing Zhou, Zhibin Wang, Guangsheng Zhou, Bin Yuan, Yafang Cheng, and Hang Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5699–5713, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5699-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5699-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A comprehensive investigation of the characteristics of new particle formation (NPF) events was conducted at a rural site on the North China Plain (NCP), China, during the wintertime of 2018 by covering the particle number size distribution down to sub–3 nm. Potential mechanisms for NPF under the current environment were explored, followed by a further discussion on the factors governing the occurrence of NPF at this rural site compared with other regions (e.g., urban areas) in the NCP region.
Miaomiao Zhai, Ye Kuang, Li Liu, Yao He, Biao Luo, Wanyun Xu, Jiangchuan Tao, Yu Zou, Fei Li, Changqin Yin, Chunhui Li, Hanbing Xu, and Xuejiao Deng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5119–5133, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5119-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5119-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Using year-long aerosol mass spectrometer measurements, roles of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) during haze formations in an urban area of southern China were systematically analyzed. Almost all severe haze events were accompanied by continuous daytime and nighttime SOA formations, whereas coordinated gas-phase photochemistry and aqueous-phase reactions likely played significant roles in quick daytime SOA formations, and nitrate radicals played significant roles in nighttime SOA formations.
Weilun Zhao, Gang Zhao, Ying Li, Song Guo, Nan Ma, Lizi Tang, Zirui Zhang, and Chunsheng Zhao
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6807–6817, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6807-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6807-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A new method to determine black carbon mass size distribution (BCMSD) was proposed using the size-resolved absorption coefficient measured by an aerodynamic aerosol classifier in tandem with an aethalometer. This new method fills the gap in the high-time-resolution measurement of BCMSD ranging from upper submicron particle sizes to larger than 1 µm. This method can be applied to field measurement of BCMSD extensively for better understanding BC aging and better estimating the BC climate effect.
Biao Luo, Ye Kuang, Shan Huang, Qicong Song, Weiwei Hu, Wei Li, Yuwen Peng, Duohong Chen, Dingli Yue, Bin Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12401–12415, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12401-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12401-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We performed comprehensive analysis on biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) size distributions, as well as mass scattering and absorption efficiencies, with an improved method of on-line quantification of brown carbon absorptions. Both BBOA volume size distribution and retrieved refractive index depend highly on combustion conditions represented by the black carbon content, which has significant implications for BBOA climate effect simulations.
Gang Zhao, Tianyi Tan, Shuya Hu, Zhuofei Du, Dongjie Shang, Zhijun Wu, Song Guo, Jing Zheng, Wenfei Zhu, Mengren Li, Limin Zeng, and Min Hu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 10861–10873, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10861-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10861-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Black carbon is the second strongest absorbing component in the atmosphere that exerts warming effects on climate. One critical challenge in quantifying the ambient black carbon's radiative effects is addressing the BC microphysical properties. In this study, the microphysical properties of the aged and fresh BC particles are synthetically analyzed under different atmospheres. The measurement results can be further used in models to help constrain the uncertainties of the BC radiative effects.
Shanshan Ouyang, Tao Deng, Run Liu, Jingyang Chen, Guowen He, Jeremy Cheuk-Hin Leung, Nan Wang, and Shaw Chen Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 10751–10767, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10751-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10751-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A record-breaking severe O3 pollution episode occurred under the influence of a Pacific subtropical high followed by Typhoon Mitag in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in early Autumn 2019. Through WRF-CMAQ model simulations, we propose that the enhanced photochemical production of O3 during the episode is a major cause of the most severe O3 pollution year since the official O3 observation started in the PRD in 2006.
Mingfu Cai, Shan Huang, Baoling Liang, Qibin Sun, Li Liu, Bin Yuan, Min Shao, Weiwei Hu, Wei Chen, Qicong Song, Wei Li, Yuwen Peng, Zelong Wang, Duohong Chen, Haobo Tan, Hanbin Xu, Fei Li, Xuejiao Deng, Tao Deng, Jiaren Sun, and Jun Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8117–8136, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8117-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8117-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated the size dependence and diurnal variation in organic aerosol hygroscopicity, volatility, and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity. We found that the physical properties of OA could vary in a large range at different particle sizes and affected the number concentration of CCN (NCCN) at all supersaturations. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating the atmospheric evolution processes of OA at different size ranges and their impact on climate effects.
Li Liu, Ye Kuang, Miaomiao Zhai, Biao Xue, Yao He, Jun Tao, Biao Luo, Wanyun Xu, Jiangchuan Tao, Changqin Yin, Fei Li, Hanbing Xu, Tao Deng, Xuejiao Deng, Haobo Tan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7713–7726, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7713-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7713-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Using simultaneous measurements of a humidified nephelometer system and an aerosol chemical speciation monitor in winter in Guangzhou, the strongest scattering ability of more oxidized oxygenated organic aerosol (MOOA) among aerosol components considering their dry-state scattering ability and water uptake ability was revealed, leading to large impacts of MOOA on visibility degradation. This has important implications for visibility improvement in China and aerosol radiative effect simulation.
Yange Deng, Hiroaki Fujinari, Hikari Yai, Kojiro Shimada, Yuzo Miyazaki, Eri Tachibana, Dhananjay K. Deshmukh, Kimitaka Kawamura, Tomoki Nakayama, Shiori Tatsuta, Mingfu Cai, Hanbing Xu, Fei Li, Haobo Tan, Sho Ohata, Yutaka Kondo, Akinori Takami, Shiro Hatakeyama, and Michihiro Mochida
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5515–5533, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5515-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5515-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Offline analyses of the hygroscopicity and composition of atmospheric aerosols are complementary to online analyses in view of the applicability to broader sizes, specific compound groups, and investigations at remote sites. This offline study characterized the composition of water-soluble matter in aerosols and their humidity-dependent hygroscopicity on Okinawa, a receptor site of East Asian outflow. Further, comparison with online analyses showed the appropriateness of the offline method.
Jingnan Shi, Juan Hong, Nan Ma, Qingwei Luo, Yao He, Hanbing Xu, Haobo Tan, Qiaoqiao Wang, Jiangchuan Tao, Yaqing Zhou, Shuang Han, Long Peng, Linhong Xie, Guangsheng Zhou, Wanyun Xu, Yele Sun, Yafang Cheng, and Hang Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4599–4613, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4599-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4599-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we investigated the hygroscopicity of submicron aerosols at a rural site in the North China Plain during the winter of 2018, using a HTDMA and a CV-ToF-ACSM. We observed differences in aerosol hygroscopicity during two distinct episodes with different primary emissions and secondary aerosol formation processes. These results provide an improved understanding of the complex influence of sources and aerosol evolution processes on their hygroscopicity.
Shuang Han, Juan Hong, Qingwei Luo, Hanbing Xu, Haobo Tan, Qiaoqiao Wang, Jiangchuan Tao, Yaqing Zhou, Long Peng, Yao He, Jingnan Shi, Nan Ma, Yafang Cheng, and Hang Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 3985–4004, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3985-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3985-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present the hygroscopicity of 23 organic species with different physicochemical properties using a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA) and compare the results with previous studies. Based on the hygroscopicity parameter κ, the influence of different physicochemical properties that potentially drive hygroscopicity, such as the functionality, water solubility, molar volume, and O : C ratio of organics, are examined separately.
Ying Li, Xiangjun Zhao, Xuejiao Deng, and Jinhui Gao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 3861–3873, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3861-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3861-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study finds a new phenomenon of weak wind deepening (WWD) associated with the peripheral circulation of typhoon and gives the influence mechanism of WWD on its contribution to daily variation during sustained ozone episodes. The WWD provides the premise for pollution accumulation in the whole PBL and continued enhancement of ground-level ozone via vertical mixing processes. These findings could benefit the daily daytime ozone forecast in the PRD region and other areas.
Gang Zhao, Tianyi Tan, Yishu Zhu, Min Hu, and Chunsheng Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 18055–18063, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18055-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18055-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, the black carbon (BC) mixing state index (χ) is developed to quantify the dispersion of ambient black carbon aerosol mixing states based on binary systems of BC and other non-black carbon components. We demonstrate that the BC light absorption enhancement increases with χ for the same MR, which indicates that χ can be employed as a factor to constrain the light absorption enhancement of ambient BC.
Jie Qiu, Wangshu Tan, Gang Zhao, Yingli Yu, and Chunsheng Zhao
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4879–4891, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4879-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4879-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Considering nephelometers' major problems of a nonideal Lambertian light source and angle truncation, a new correction method based on a machine learning model is proposed. Our method has the advantage of obtaining data with high accuracy while achieving self-correction, which means that researchers can get more accurate scattering coefficients without the need for additional observation data. This method provides a more precise estimation of the aerosol’s direct radiative forcing.
Ye Kuang, Shan Huang, Biao Xue, Biao Luo, Qicong Song, Wei Chen, Weiwei Hu, Wei Li, Pusheng Zhao, Mingfu Cai, Yuwen Peng, Jipeng Qi, Tiange Li, Sihang Wang, Duohong Chen, Dingli Yue, Bin Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 10375–10391, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10375-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10375-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We found that organic aerosol factors with identified sources perform much better than oxidation level parameters in characterizing variations in organic aerosol hygroscopicity, and secondary aerosol formations associated with different sources have distinct effects on organic aerosol hygroscopicity. It reveals that source-oriented organic aerosol hygroscopicity investigations might result in more appropriate parameterization approaches in chemical and climate models.
Gang Zhao, Yishu Zhu, Zhijun Wu, Taomou Zong, Jingchuan Chen, Tianyi Tan, Haichao Wang, Xin Fang, Keding Lu, Chunsheng Zhao, and Min Hu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9995–10004, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9995-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9995-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
New particle formation is thought to contribute half of the global cloud condensation nuclei. We find that the new particle formation is more likely to happen in the upper boundary layer than that at the ground, which can be partially explained by the aerosol–radiation interaction. Our study emphasizes the influence of aerosol–radiation interaction on the NPF.
Tianyi Tan, Min Hu, Zhuofei Du, Gang Zhao, Dongjie Shang, Jing Zheng, Yanhong Qin, Mengren Li, Yusheng Wu, Limin Zeng, Song Guo, and Zhijun Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8499–8510, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8499-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8499-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Every year in the pre-monsoon season, the black carbon (BC) aerosols originated from biomass burning in southern Asia are easily transported to the Tibetan Plateau (TP) by the convenience of westerly wind. This study reveals that the BC aerosols in the aged biomass burning plumes strongly enhance the total light absorption over the TP, and the aging process during the long-range transport will further strengthen the radiative heating of those BC aerosols.
Mingfu Cai, Baoling Liang, Qibin Sun, Li Liu, Bin Yuan, Min Shao, Shan Huang, Yuwen Peng, Zelong Wang, Haobo Tan, Fei Li, Hanbin Xu, Duohong Chen, and Jun Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8575–8592, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8575-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8575-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated the contribution of new particle formation (NPF) events to the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei (NCCN) and its controlling factors in the Pearl River Delta region. The results show that the surfactant effect can decrease the critical diameter and significantly increase the NCCN during the NPF event. In addition, the growth rate is founded to be the most important controlling factor that affects NCCN for growth of newly-formed particles to the CCN sizes.
Jiangchuan Tao, Ye Kuang, Nan Ma, Juan Hong, Yele Sun, Wanyun Xu, Yanyan Zhang, Yao He, Qingwei Luo, Linhong Xie, Hang Su, and Yafang Cheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7409–7427, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7409-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7409-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The mechanism of secondary aerosol (SA) formation can be affected by relative humidity (RH) and has different influences on the particle CCN activity under different RH conditions. In the North China Plain, we find different responses of CCN activity and enhancements of CCN number concentration to SA formation under different RH conditions. In addition, variations of aerosol mixing state due to SA formation contribute some of the largest uncertainties in predicting CCN number concentration.
Cited articles
Aldhaif, A. M., Stahl, C., Braun, R. A., Moghaddam, M. A., Shingler, T., Crosbie, E., Sawamura, P., Dadashazar, H., Ziemba, L., Jimenez, J. L., Campuzano-Jost, P., and Sorooshian, A.: Characterization of the Real Part of Dry Aerosol Refractive Index Over North America From the Surface to 12 km, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 123, 8283–8300, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JD028504, 2018.
Aouizerats, B., Thouron, O., Tulet, P., Mallet, M., Gomes, L., and Henzing, J. S.: Development of an online radiative module for the computation of aerosol optical properties in 3-D atmospheric models: validation during the EUCAARI campaign, Geosci. Model Dev., 3, 553–564, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-3-553-2010, 2010.
Benko, D., Molnár, A., and Imre, K.: Study on the size dependence of complex refractive index of atmospheric aerosol particles over Central Europe, IDOJARAS, 113, 157–175, 2009.
Bohren, C. F. and Huffman, D. R.: Absorption and Scattering by a Sphere, in: Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles, 82–129, ISBN 9780471293408, https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527618156, 1998.
Cai, J., Chu, B., Yao, L., Yan, C., Heikkinen, L. M., Zheng, F., Li, C., Fan, X., Zhang, S., Yang, D., Wang, Y., Kokkonen, T. V., Chan, T., Zhou, Y., Dada, L., Liu, Y., He, H., Paasonen, P., Kujansuu, J. T., Petäjä, T., Mohr, C., Kangasluoma, J., Bianchi, F., Sun, Y., Croteau, P. L., Worsnop, D. R., Kerminen, V.-M., Du, W., Kulmala, M., and Daellenbach, K. R.: Size-segregated particle number and mass concentrations from different emission sources in urban Beijing, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 12721–12740, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12721-2020, 2020.
Canonaco, F., Crippa, M., Slowik, J. G., Baltensperger, U., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: SoFi, an IGOR-based interface for the efficient use of the generalized multilinear engine (ME-2) for the source apportionment: ME-2 application to aerosol mass spectrometer data, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 3649–3661, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-3649-2013, 2013.
Canonaco, F., Tobler, A., Chen, G., Sosedova, Y., Slowik, J. G., Bozzetti, C., Daellenbach, K. R., El Haddad, I., Crippa, M., Huang, R.-J., Furger, M., Baltensperger, U., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: A new method for long-term source apportionment with time-dependent factor profiles and uncertainty assessment using SoFi Pro: application to 1 year of organic aerosol data, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 923–943, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-923-2021, 2021.
Cheng, Y. F., Berghof, M., Garland, R. M., Wiedensohler, A., Wehner, B., Müller, T., Su, H., Zhang, Y. H., Achtert, P., Nowak, A., Pöschl, U., Zhu, T., Hu, M., and Zeng, L. M.: Influence of soot mixing state on aerosol light absorption and single scattering albedo during air mass aging at a polluted regional site in northeastern China, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 114, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010883, 2009.
Curci, G., Alyuz, U., Barò, R., Bianconi, R., Bieser, J., Christensen, J. H., Colette, A., Farrow, A., Francis, X., Jiménez-Guerrero, P., Im, U., Liu, P., Manders, A., Palacios-Peña, L., Prank, M., Pozzoli, L., Sokhi, R., Solazzo, E., Tuccella, P., Unal, A., Vivanco, M. G., Hogrefe, C., and Galmarini, S.: Modelling black carbon absorption of solar radiation: combining external and internal mixing assumptions, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 181–204, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-181-2019, 2019.
Drinovec, L., Močnik, G., Zotter, P., Prévôt, A. S. H., Ruckstuhl, C., Coz, E., Rupakheti, M., Sciare, J., Müller, T., Wiedensohler, A., and Hansen, A. D. A.: The ”dual-spot” Aethalometer: an improved measurement of aerosol black carbon with real-time loading compensation, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 1965–1979, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-1965-2015, 2015.
Guo, J., Zhou, S., Cai, M., Zhao, J., Song, W., Zhao, W., Hu, W., Sun, Y., He, Y., Yang, C., Xu, X., Zhang, Z., Cheng, P., Fan, Q., Hang, J., Fan, S., Wang, X., and Wang, X.: Characterization of submicron particles by time-of-flight aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ToF-ACSM) during wintertime: aerosol composition, sources, and chemical processes in Guangzhou, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 7595–7615, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-7595-2020, 2020.
Gysel, M., Crosier, J., Topping, D. O., Whitehead, J. D., Bower, K. N., Cubison, M. J., Williams, P. I., Flynn, M. J., McFiggans, G. B., and Coe, H.: Closure study between chemical composition and hygroscopic growth of aerosol particles during TORCH2, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 7, 6131–6144, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-7-6131-2007, 2007.
He, Q., Bluvshtein, N., Segev, L., Meidan, D., Flores, J. M., Brown, S. S., Brune, W., and Rudich, Y.: Evolution of the Complex Refractive Index of Secondary Organic Aerosols during Atmospheric Aging, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 3456–3465, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b05742, 2018.
He, Q., Li, C., Siemens, K., Morales, A. C., Hettiyadura, A. P. S., Laskin, A., and Rudich, Y.: Optical Properties of Secondary Organic Aerosol Produced by Photooxidation of Naphthalene under NOx Condition, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 4816–4827, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c07328, 2022.
Hoffer, A., Tóth, Á., Pósfai, M., Chung, C. E., and Gelencsér, A.: Brown carbon absorption in the red and near-infrared spectral region, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 2353–2359, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2353-2017, 2017.
IPCC, AR6: The Earth's Energy Budget, Climate Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity, in: Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis: Working Group I Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, edited by: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 923–1054, ISBN 9781009157889, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157896.009, 2023.
Jarzembski, M. A., Norman, M. L., Fuller, K. A., Srivastava, V., and Cutten, D. R.: Complex refractive index of ammonium nitrate in the 2–20-µm spectral range, Appl. Opt., 42, 922–930, https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.42.000922, 2003.
Jimenez, J. L., Canagaratna, M. R., Donahue, N. M., Prevot, A. S. H., Zhang, Q., Kroll, J. H., DeCarlo, P. F., Allan, J. D., Coe, H., Ng, N. L., Aiken, A. C., Docherty, K. S., Ulbrich, I. M., Grieshop, A. P., Robinson, A. L., Duplissy, J., Smith, J. D., Wilson, K. R., Lanz, V. A., Hueglin, C., Sun, Y. L., Tian, J., Laaksonen, A., Raatikainen, T., Rautiainen, J., Vaattovaara, P., Ehn, M., Kulmala, M., Tomlinson, J. M., Collins, D. R., Cubison, M. J., Dunlea, J., Huffman, J. A., Onasch, T. B., Alfarra, M. R., Williams, P. I., Bower, K., Kondo, Y., Schneider, J., Drewnick, F., Borrmann, S., Weimer, S., Demerjian, K., Salcedo, D., Cottrell, L., Griffin, R., Takami, A., Miyoshi, T., Hatakeyama, S., Shimono, A., Sun, J. Y., Zhang, Y. M., Dzepina, K., Kimmel, J. R., Sueper, D., Jayne, J. T., Herndon, S. C., Trimborn, A. M., Williams, L. R., Wood, E. C., Middlebrook, A. M., Kolb, C. E., Baltensperger, U., and Worsnop, D. R.: Evolution of Organic Aerosols in the Atmosphere, Science, 326, 1525–1529, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1180353, 2009.
Kanakidou, M., Seinfeld, J. H., Pandis, S. N., Barnes, I., Dentener, F. J., Facchini, M. C., Van Dingenen, R., Ervens, B., Nenes, A., Nielsen, C. J., Swietlicki, E., Putaud, J. P., Balkanski, Y., Fuzzi, S., Horth, J., Moortgat, G. K., Winterhalter, R., Myhre, C. E. L., Tsigaridis, K., Vignati, E., Stephanou, E. G., and Wilson, J.: Organic aerosol and global climate modelling: a review, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 5, 1053–1123, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-5-1053-2005, 2005.
Kim, H., Liu, S., Russell, L. M., and Paulson, S. E.: Dependence of Real Refractive Indices on O : C, H : C and Mass Fragments of Secondary Organic Aerosol Generated from Ozonolysis and Photooxidation of Limonene and α-Pinene, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 48, 498–507, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2014.893278, 2014.
Kuang, Y.: Refractive Index Enhancement by Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation in Humid Southern China Challenges Model Assumptions, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15786937, 2025.
Kuang, Y., Zhao, C. S., Tao, J. C., and Ma, N.: Diurnal variations of aerosol optical properties in the North China Plain and their influences on the estimates of direct aerosol radiative effect, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5761–5772, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5761-2015, 2015.
Kuang, Y., Zhao, C. S., Zhao, G., Tao, J. C., Xu, W., Ma, N., and Bian, Y. X.: A novel method for calculating ambient aerosol liquid water content based on measurements of a humidified nephelometer system, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 2967–2982, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2967-2018, 2018.
Kuang, Y., Huang, S., Xue, B., Luo, B., Song, Q., Chen, W., Hu, W., Li, W., Zhao, P., Cai, M., Peng, Y., Qi, J., Li, T., Wang, S., Chen, D., Yue, D., Yuan, B., and Shao, M.: Contrasting effects of secondary organic aerosol formations on organic aerosol hygroscopicity, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 10375–10391, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10375-2021, 2021.
Kuang, Y., Xu, W., Tao, J., Luo, B., Liu, L., Xu, H., Xu, W., Xue, B., Zhai, M., Liu, P., and Sun, Y.: Divergent Impacts of Biomass Burning and Fossil Fuel Combustion Aerosols on Fog-Cloud Microphysics and Chemistry: Novel Insights From Advanced Aerosol-Fog Sampling, Geophys. Res. Lett., 51, e2023GL107147, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107147, 2024.
Lambe, A. T., Cappa, C. D., Massoli, P., Onasch, T. B., Forestieri, S. D., Martin, A. T., Cummings, M. J., Croasdale, D. R., Brune, W. H., Worsnop, D. R., and Davidovits, P.: Relationship between Oxidation Level and Optical Properties of Secondary Organic Aerosol, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 6349–6357, https://doi.org/10.1021/es401043j, 2013.
Li, C., He, Q., Schade, J., Passig, J., Zimmermann, R., Meidan, D., Laskin, A., and Rudich, Y.: Dynamic changes in optical and chemical properties of tar ball aerosols by atmospheric photochemical aging, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 139–163, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-139-2019, 2019.
Li, F., Luo, B., Zhai, M., Liu, L., Zhao, G., Xu, H., Deng, T., Deng, X., Tan, H., Kuang, Y., and Zhao, J.: Black carbon content of traffic emissions significantly impacts black carbon mass size distributions and mixing states, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6545–6558, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6545-2023, 2023a.
Li, K., Li, J., Liggio, J., Wang, W., Ge, M., Liu, Q., Guo, Y., Tong, S., Li, J., Peng, C., Jing, B., Wang, D., and Fu, P.: Enhanced Light Scattering of Secondary Organic Aerosols by Multiphase Reactions, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 1285–1292, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b03229, 2017.
Li, Y., Dykema, J., Deshler, T., and Keutsch, F.: Composition Dependence of Stratospheric Aerosol Shortwave Radiative Forcing in Northern Midlatitudes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 48, e2021GL094427, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094427, 2021.
Li, Y., Bai, B., Dykema, J., Shin, N., Lambe, A. T., Chen, Q., Kuwata, M., Ng, N. L., Keutsch, F. N., and Liu, P.: Predicting Real Refractive Index of Organic Aerosols From Elemental Composition, Geophys. Res. Lett., 50, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl103446, 2023b.
Li, Y., Bai, B., Dykema, J., Shin, N., Lambe, A. T., Chen, Q., Kuwata, M., Ng, N. L., Keutsch, F. N., and Liu, P.: Predicting Real Refractive Index of Organic Aerosols From Elemental Composition, Geophys. Res. Lett., 50, e2023GL103446, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103446, 2023c.
Lide, D. R.: CRC handbook of chemistry and physics, CRC press, ISBN 9781315380476, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315380476, 2004.
Liu, L., Kuang, Y., Zhai, M., Xue, B., He, Y., Tao, J., Luo, B., Xu, W., Tao, J., Yin, C., Li, F., Xu, H., Deng, T., Deng, X., Tan, H., and Shao, M.: Strong light scattering of highly oxygenated organic aerosols impacts significantly on visibility degradation, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7713–7726, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7713-2022, 2022.
Liu, P., Zhang, Y., and Martin, S. T.: Complex Refractive Indices of Thin Films of Secondary Organic Materials by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry from 220 to 1200 nm, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 13594–13601, https://doi.org/10.1021/es403411e, 2013.
Liu, Y. and Daum, P. H.: Relationship of refractive index to mass density and self-consistency of mixing rules for multicomponent mixtures like ambient aerosols, J. Aerosol Sci., 39, 974–986, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2008.06.006, 2008.
Luo, B., Kuang, Y., Huang, S., Song, Q., Hu, W., Li, W., Peng, Y., Chen, D., Yue, D., Yuan, B., and Shao, M.: Parameterizations of size distribution and refractive index of biomass burning organic aerosol with black carbon content, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12401–12415, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12401-2022, 2022.
Ma, N., Zhao, C. S., Nowak, A., Müller, T., Pfeifer, S., Cheng, Y. F., Deng, Z. Z., Liu, P. F., Xu, W. Y., Ran, L., Yan, P., Göbel, T., Hallbauer, E., Mildenberger, K., Henning, S., Yu, J., Chen, L. L., Zhou, X. J., Stratmann, F., and Wiedensohler, A.: Aerosol optical properties in the North China Plain during HaChi campaign: an in-situ optical closure study, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5959–5973, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5959-2011, 2011.
Ma, N., Zhao, C. S., Müller, T., Cheng, Y. F., Liu, P. F., Deng, Z. Z., Xu, W. Y., Ran, L., Nekat, B., van Pinxteren, D., Gnauk, T., Müller, K., Herrmann, H., Yan, P., Zhou, X. J., and Wiedensohler, A.: A new method to determine the mixing state of light absorbing carbonaceous using the measured aerosol optical properties and number size distributions, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 2381–2397, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-2381-2012, 2012a.
Ma, X., Yu, F., and Luo, G.: Aerosol direct radiative forcing based on GEOS-Chem-APM and uncertainties, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 5563–5581, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-5563-2012, 2012b.
Mathai, S., Veghte, D., Kovarik, L., Mazzoleni, C., Tseng, K.-P., Bucci, S., Capek, T., Cheng, Z., Marinoni, A., and China, S.: Optical Properties of Individual Tar Balls in the Free Troposphere, Environ. Sci. Technol., 57, 16834–16842, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c03498, 2023.
McMeeking, G. R., Kreidenweis, S. M., Carrico, C. M., Collett, J. L., Day, D. E., and Malm, W. C.: Observations of smoke-influenced aerosol during the Yosemite Aerosol Characterization Study: 2. Aerosol scattering and absorbing properties, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 110, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004jd005624, 2005.
Moise, T., Flores, J. M., and Rudich, Y.: Optical Properties of Secondary Organic Aerosols and Their Changes by Chemical Processes, Chem. Rev., 115, 4400–4439, https://doi.org/10.1021/cr5005259, 2015.
Müller, T., Laborde, M., Kassell, G., and Wiedensohler, A.: Design and performance of a three-wavelength LED-based total scatter and backscatter integrating nephelometer, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 4, 1291–1303, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-4-1291-2011, 2011.
Ouimette, J. R. and Flagan, R. C.: The extinction coefficient of multicomponent aerosols, Atmos. Environ., 16, 2405–2419, https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(82)90131-7, 1982.
Pöhlker, M. L., Pöhlker, C., Quaas, J., Mülmenstädt, J., Pozzer, A., Andreae, M. O., Artaxo, P., Block, K., Coe, H., Ervens, B., Gallimore, P., Gaston, C. J., Gunthe, S. S., Henning, S., Herrmann, H., Krüger, O. O., McFiggans, G., Poulain, L., Raj, S. S., Reyes-Villegas, E., Royer, H. M., Walter, D., Wang, Y., and Pöschl, U.: Global organic and inorganic aerosol hygroscopicity and its effect on radiative forcing, Nat. Commun., 14, 6139, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41695-8, 2023.
Qiao, H., Kuang, Y., Yuan, F., Liu, L., Zhai, M., Xu, H., Zou, Y., Deng, T., and Deng, X.: Unlocking the Mystery of Aerosol Phase Transitions Governed by Relative Humidity History Through an Advanced Outdoor Nephelometer System, Geophys. Res. Lett., 51, e2023GL107179, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107179, 2024.
Redemann, J., Turco, R. P., Liou, K. N., Hobbs, P. V., Hartley, W. S., Bergstrom, R. W., Browell, E. V., and Russell, P. B.: Case studies of the vertical structure of the direct shortwave aerosol radiative forcing during TARFOX, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 105, 9971–9979, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JD901042, 2000.
Saleh, R.: From Measurements to Models: Toward Accurate Representation of Brown Carbon in Climate Calculations, Current Pollution Reports, 6, 90–104, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-020-00139-3, 2020.
Schuster, G. L., Dubovik, O., Holben, B. N., and Clothiaux, E. E.: Inferring black carbon content and specific absorption from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) aerosol retrievals, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 110, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD004548, 2005.
Schwarz, J. P., Gao, R. S., Fahey, D. W., Thomson, D. S., Watts, L. A., Wilson, J. C., Reeves, J. M., Darbeheshti, M., Baumgardner, D. G., Kok, G. L., Chung, S. H., Schulz, M., Hendricks, J., Lauer, A., Kärcher, B., Slowik, J. G., Rosenlof, K. H., Thompson, T. L., Langford, A. O., Loewenstein, M., and Aikin, K. C.: Single-particle measurements of midlatitude black carbon and light-scattering aerosols from the boundary layer to the lower stratosphere, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 111, D16207, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007076, 2006.
Stelson, A. W.: Urban aerosol refractive index prediction by partial molar refraction approach, Environ. Sci. Technol., 24, 1676–1679, 1990.
Sun, Y. L., Zhang, Q., Schwab, J. J., Yang, T., Ng, N. L., and Demerjian, K. L.: Factor analysis of combined organic and inorganic aerosol mass spectra from high resolution aerosol mass spectrometer measurements, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 8537–8551, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-8537-2012, 2012.
Tang, I. N.: Chemical and size effects of hygroscopic aerosols on light scattering coefficients, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 101, 19245–19250, https://doi.org/10.1029/96JD03003, 1996.
Tao, J. C., Zhao, C. S., Ma, N., and Liu, P. F.: The impact of aerosol hygroscopic growth on the single-scattering albedo and its application on the NO2 photolysis rate coefficient, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 12055–12067, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12055-2014, 2014.
Tian, R., Ma, X., Jia, H., Yu, F., Sha, T., and Zan, Y.: Aerosol radiative effects on tropospheric photochemistry with GEOS-Chem simulations, Atmos. Environ., 208, 82–94, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.03.032, 2019.
Tsigaridis, K. and Kanakidou, M.: The Present and Future of Secondary Organic Aerosol Direct Forcing on Climate, Current Climate Change Reports, 4, 84–98, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40641-018-0092-3, 2018.
Wexler, A. S. and Clegg, S. L.: Atmospheric aerosol models for systems including the ions H+, NH
Womack, C. C., Manfred, K. M., Wagner, N. L., Adler, G., Franchin, A., Lamb, K. D., Middlebrook, A. M., Schwarz, J. P., Brock, C. A., Brown, S. S., and Washenfelder, R. A.: Complex refractive indices in the ultraviolet and visible spectral region for highly absorbing non-spherical biomass burning aerosol, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7235–7252, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7235-2021, 2021.
Wu, Y., Li, J., Xia, Y., Deng, Z., Tao, J., Tian, P., Gao, Z., Xia, X., and Zhang, R.: Size-resolved refractive index of scattering aerosols in urban Beijing: A seasonal comparison, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 55, 1070–1083, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2021.1924357, 2021.
Xu, W., Chen, C., Qiu, Y., Xie, C., Chen, Y., Ma, N., Xu, W., Fu, P., Wang, Z., Pan, X., Zhu, J., Ng, N. L., and Sun, Y.: Size-resolved characterization of organic aerosol in the North China Plain: new insights from high resolution spectral analysis, Environ. Sci. Atmos., 1, 346–358, https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ea00025j, 2021.
Yuan, J.-F., Huang, X.-F., Cao, L.-M., Cui, J., Zhu, Q., Huang, C.-N., Lan, Z.-J., and He, L.-Y.: Light absorption of brown carbon aerosol in the PRD region of China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 1433–1443, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-1433-2016, 2016.
Zhai, M., Kuang, Y., Liu, L., He, Y., Luo, B., Xu, W., Tao, J., Zou, Y., Li, F., Yin, C., Li, C., Xu, H., and Deng, X.: Insights into characteristics and formation mechanisms of secondary organic aerosols in the Guangzhou urban area, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5119–5133, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5119-2023, 2023.
Zhang, G., Bi, X., Qiu, N., Han, B., Lin, Q., Peng, L., Chen, D., Wang, X., Peng, P., Sheng, G., and Zhou, Z.: The real part of the refractive indices and effective densities for chemically segregated ambient aerosols in Guangzhou measured by a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2631–2640, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2631-2016, 2016a.
Zhang, H., Shen, Z., Wei, X., Zhang, M., and Li, Z.: Comparison of optical properties of nitrate and sulfate aerosol and the direct radiative forcing due to nitrate in China, Atmos. Res., 113, 113–125, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.04.020, 2012.
Zhang, Q., Jimenez, J. L., Canagaratna, M. R., Allan, J. D., Coe, H., Ulbrich, I., Alfarra, M. R., Takami, A., Middlebrook, A. M., Sun, Y. L., Dzepina, K., Dunlea, E., Docherty, K., DeCarlo, P. F., Salcedo, D., Onasch, T., Jayne, J. T., Miyoshi, T., Shimono, A., Hatakeyama, S., Takegawa, N., Kondo, Y., Schneider, J., Drewnick, F., Borrmann, S., Weimer, S., Demerjian, K., Williams, P., Bower, K., Bahreini, R., Cottrell, L., Griffin, R. J., Rautiainen, J., Sun, J. Y., Zhang, Y. M., and Worsnop, D. R.: Ubiquity and dominance of oxygenated species in organic aerosols in anthropogenically-influenced Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029979, 2007.
Zhang, S., Shen, X., Sun, J., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., Xia, C., Hu, X., Zhong, J., Wang, J., and Liu, S.: Atmospheric Particle Hygroscopicity and the Influence by Oxidation State of Organic Aerosols in Urban Beijing, J. Environ. Sci., 124, 544–556, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2021.11.019, 2023.
Zhang, Y., Zhang, Q., Cheng, Y., Su, H., Kecorius, S., Wang, Z., Wu, Z., Hu, M., Zhu, T., Wiedensohler, A., and He, K.: Measuring the morphology and density of internally mixed black carbon with SP2 and VTDMA: new insight into the absorption enhancement of black carbon in the atmosphere, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1833–1843, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1833-2016, 2016b.
Zhao, G., Tan, T., Zhao, W., Guo, S., Tian, P., and Zhao, C.: A new parameterization scheme for the real part of the ambient urban aerosol refractive index, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 12875–12885, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12875-2019, 2019a.
Zhao, G., Tao, J., Kuang, Y., Shen, C., Yu, Y., and Zhao, C.: Role of black carbon mass size distribution in the direct aerosol radiative forcing, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 13175–13188, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-13175-2019, 2019b.
Zhao, G., Zhao, W., and Zhao, C.: Method to measure the size-resolved real part of aerosol refractive index using differential mobility analyzer in tandem with single-particle soot photometer, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 3541–3550, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-3541-2019, 2019c.
Zhao, G., Li, F., and Zhao, C.: Determination of the refractive index of ambient aerosols, Atmos. Environ., 240, 117800, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117800, 2020.
Zhao, G., Hu, M., Fang, X., Tan, T., Xiao, Y., Du, Z., Zheng, J., Shang, D., Wu, Z., Guo, S., and Zhao, C.: Larger than expected variation range in the real part of the refractive index for ambient aerosols in China, Sci. Total Environ., 779, 146443, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146443, 2021a.
Zhao, G., Hu, M., Zhu, W., Tan, T., Shang, D., Zheng, J., Du, Z., Guo, S., Wu, Z., Zeng, L., and Zhao, C.: Parameterization of the ambient aerosol refractive index with source appointed chemical compositions, Sci. Total Environ., 842, 156573, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156573, 2022.
Zhao, W., Tan, W., Zhao, G., Shen, C., Yu, Y., and Zhao, C.: Determination of equivalent black carbon mass concentration from aerosol light absorption using variable mass absorption cross section, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1319–1331, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1319-2021, 2021b.
Zhong, J., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Wang, J., Shen, X., Zhang, H., Wang, T., Xie, Z., Liu, C., Zhang, H., Zhao, T., Sun, J., Fan, S., Gao, Z., Li, Y., and Wang, L.: The two-way feedback mechanism between unfavorable meteorological conditions and cumulative aerosol pollution in various haze regions of China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3287–3306, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3287-2019, 2019.
Zhou, Y., Ma, N., Wang, Q., Wang, Z., Chen, C., Tao, J., Hong, J., Peng, L., He, Y., Xie, L., Zhu, S., Zhang, Y., Li, G., Xu, W., Cheng, P., Kuhn, U., Zhou, G., Fu, P., Zhang, Q., Su, H., and Cheng, Y.: Bimodal distribution of size-resolved particle effective density: results from a short campaign in a rural environment over the North China Plain, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2029–2047, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2029-2022, 2022.
Short summary
This study provides direct observational evidence that secondary organic aerosol formation enhances the aerosol scattering refractive index and has substantially higher real refractive indices than primary organic aerosols in humid southern China, challenging current model assumptions and offering recommended values that might improve the accuracy of aerosol radiative effect simulations.
This study provides direct observational evidence that secondary organic aerosol formation...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint