Articles | Volume 25, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12433-2025
© 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-25-12433-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Measurement report
| 
08 Oct 2025
Measurement report |
| 08 Oct 2025
| 08 Oct 2025
Measurement report: Year-long chemical composition, optical properties, and sources of atmospheric aerosols in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Kemei Li
State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Yanqing An
State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Jianzhong Xu
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
Miao Zhong
State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Wenhui Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Xiang Qin
State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Related authors
No articles found.
Yishen Wang, Yanqing An, Yulong Tan, Kemei Li, Jianzhong Xu, and Shugui Hou
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4785, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4785, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
We studied air pollution transported from South Asia to the Himalayas during the pre-monsoon season. Using real-time instruments, we measured airborne particles and trace gases on the northern slope of the mountains. We found that burning biomass was a major source of these particles, which changed chemically as they travelled long distances. These changes were affected by photochemical and cloud processes, with important consequences for the regional climate and melting of glaciers.
Jianzhong Xu, Xinghua Zhang, Wenhui Zhao, Lixiang Zhai, Miao Zhong, Jinsen Shi, Junying Sun, Yanmei Liu, Conghui Xie, Yulong Tan, Kemei Li, Xinlei Ge, Qi Zhang, and Shichang Kang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 1875–1900, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1875-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1875-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A comprehensive aerosol observation project was carried out in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its surroundings in recent years to investigate the properties and sources of atmospheric aerosols as well as their regional differences by performing multiple intensive field observations. The release of this dataset can provide basic and systematic data for related research in the atmospheric, cryospheric, and environmental sciences in this unique region.
Miao Zhong, Jianzhong Xu, Huiqin Wang, Li Gao, Haixia Zhu, Lixiang Zhai, Xinghua Zhang, and Wenhui Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12609–12630, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12609-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12609-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study focus on coal-combustion-dominated aerosol in urban areas in northwestern China and combines the results of optical measurement and chemical analysis to deduce the evolution of these characteristics in the atmosphere, which has previously been unknown. The results provide insights into the effects of atmospheric processes and emissions on brown carbon properties.
Zhiheng Du, Jiao Yang, Lei Wang, Ninglian Wang, Anders Svensson, Zhen Zhang, Xiangyu Ma, Yaping Liu, Shimeng Wang, Jianzhong Xu, and Cunde Xiao
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 5349–5365, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-5349-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-5349-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A dataset of the radiogenic strontium and neodymium isotopic compositions from the three poles (the third pole, the Arctic, and Antarctica) were integrated to obtain new findings. The dataset enables us to map the standardized locations in the three poles, while the use of sorting criteria related to the sample type permits us to trace the dust sources and sinks. The purpose of this dataset is to try to determine the variable transport pathways of dust at three poles.
Jizu Chen, Wentao Du, Shichang Kang, Xiang Qin, Weijun Sun, Yang Li, Yushuo Liu, Lihui Luo, and Youyan Jiang
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-179, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-179, 2022
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
This study developed a dynamic deposition model of light absorbing particles (LAPs), which coupled with a surface energy and mass balance model. Based on the coupled model, we assessed atmospheric deposited BC effect on glacier melting, and quantified global warming and increment of emitted black carbon respective contributions to current accelerated glacier melting.
Xinghua Zhang, Wenhui Zhao, Lixiang Zhai, Miao Zhong, Jinsen Shi, Junying Sun, Yanmei Liu, Conghui Xie, Yulong Tan, Kemei Li, Xinlei Ge, Qi Zhang, Shichang Kang, and Jianzhong Xu
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-211, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-211, 2022
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
A comprehensive aerosol observation project was carried out in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in recent years to investigate the properties and sources of atmospheric aerosols as well as their regional differences by performing multiple short-term intensive field observations. The real-time online high-time-resolution (hourly) data of aerosol properties in the different TP region are integrated in a new dataset and can provide supporting for related studies in in the TP.
Fan Mei, Jian Wang, Shan Zhou, Qi Zhang, Sonya Collier, and Jianzhong Xu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13019–13029, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13019-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13019-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This work focuses on understanding aerosol's ability to act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and its variations with organic oxidation level and volatility using measurements at a rural site. Aerosol properties were examined from four air mass sources. The results help improve the accurate representation of aerosol from different ambient aerosol emissions, transformation pathways, and atmospheric processes in a climate model.
Cited articles
Afsana, S., Zhou, R. C., Miyazaki, Y., Tachibana, E., Deshmukh, D. K., Kawamura, K., and Mochida, M.: Fluorescence of solvent-extractable organics in sub-micrometer forest aerosols in Hokkaido, Japan, Atmos. Environ., 303, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.119710, 2023.
Alang, A. K. and Aggarwal, S. G.: Atmospheric Brown Carbon: Sources, Optical Properties, and Chromophore Composition, Aerosol Air Qual. Res., 24, https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.240035, 2024.
Arun, B. S., Gogoi, M. M., Deshmukh, D. K., Hegde, P., Boreddy, S. K. R., Borgohain, A., and Babu, S. S.: Enhanced light absorption by ambient brown carbon aerosols in the eastern Himalayas, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 4, 782–801, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ea00021h, 2024.
Boreddy, S. K. R., Kawamura, K., Gowda, D., Deshmukh, D. K., Narasimhulu, K., and Ramagopal, K.: Sulfate-associated liquid water amplifies the formation of oxalic acid at a semi-arid tropical location over peninsular India during winter, Sci. Total. Environ., 874, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162365, 2023.
Chazeau, B., El Haddad, I., Canonaco, F., Temime-Roussel, B., D'Anna, B., Gille, G., Mesbah, B., Prevot, A. S. H., and Wortham, H.: Organic aerosol source apportionment by using rolling positive matrix factorization: Application to a Mediterranean coastal city, Atmos. Environ.-X, 14, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeaoa.2022.100176, 2022.
Che, H. Z., Wang, Y. Q., and Sun, J. Y.: Aerosol optical properties at Mt. Waliguan Observatory, China, Atmos. Environ., 45, 6004–6009, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.07.050, 2011.
Chelluboyina, G. S., Kapoor, T. S., and Chakrabarty, R. K.: Dark brown carbon from wildfires: a potent snow radiative forcing agent?, NPJ Clim. Atmos. Sci., 7, 200, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00738-7, 2024.
Chen, J. and Wang, C.: Rising springs along the Silk Road, Geology, 37, 243–246, https://doi.org/10.1130/G25472A.1, 2009.
Chen, Q., Ikemori, F., and Mochida, M.: Light Absorption and Excitation-Emission Fluorescence of Urban Organic Aerosol Components and Their Relationship to Chemical Structure, Environ. Sci. Technol., 50, 10859–10868, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b02541, 2016a.
Chen, Q., Miyazaki, Y., Kawamura, K., Matsumoto, K., Coburn, S., Volkamer, R., Iwamoto, Y., Kagami, S., Deng, Y., Ogawa, S., Ramasamy, S., Kato, S., Ida, A., Kajii, Y., and Mochida, M.: Characterization of Chromophoric Water-Soluble Organic Matter in Urban, Forest, and Marine Aerosols by HR-ToF-AMS Analysis and Excitation-Emission Matrix Spectroscopy, Environ. Sci. Technol., 50, 10351–10360, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b01643, 2016b.
Chen, Q., Li, J., Hua, X., Jiang, X., Mu, Z., Wang, M., Wang, J., Shan, M., Yang, X., Fan, X., Song, J., Wang, Y., Guan, D., and Du, L.: Identification of species and sources of atmospheric chromophores by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix with parallel factor analysis, Sci. Total. Environ., 718, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137322, 2020.
Chen, Q., Hua, X., and Dyussenova, A.: Evolution of the chromophore aerosols and its driving factors in summertime Xi'an, Northwest China, Chemosphere, 281, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130838, 2021a.
Chen, Q., Mu, Z., Xu, L., Wang, M., Wang, J., Shan, M., Fan, X., Song, J., Wang, Y., Lin, P., and Du, L.: Triplet-state organic matter in atmospheric aerosols: Formation characteristics and potential effects on aerosol aging, Atmos. Environ., 252, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118343, 2021b.
Chen, Z. and Torres, O.: An examination of oxidant amounts on secondary organic aerosol formation and aging, Atmos. Environ., 43, 3579–3585, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.03.058, 2009.
Choudhary, V., Gupta, T., and Zhao, R.: Evolution of Brown Carbon Aerosols during Atmospheric Long-Range Transport in the South Asian Outflow and Himalayan Cryosphere, ACS Earth Space Chem., 6, 2335–2347, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00047, 2022.
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Chen, L. W. A., Chang, M. C. O., Robinson, N. F., Trimble, D., and Kohl, S.: The IMPROVE-A temperature protocol for thermal/optical carbon analysis: maintaining consistency with a long-term database, J. Air Waste Manage., 57, 1014–1023, https://doi.org/10.3155/1047-3289.57.9.1014, 2007.
Dai, M., Zhu, B., Fang, C., Zhou, S., Lu, W., Zhao, D., Ding, D., Pan, C., and Liao, H.: Long-Term Variation and Source Apportionment of Black Carbon at Mt. Waliguan, China, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD035273, 2021.
Fan, L., Yan, X., Du, Q., Zhang, J., Liu, G., Yang, Y., Miao, Y., and Zhang, G.: On the sources of ambient SOA in PM2.5: An integrated analysis over Jinan city of China, Atmos. Pollut. Res., 15, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.102008, 2024.
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.
Fellman, J. B., Hood, E., and Spencer, R. G. M.: Fluorescence spectroscopy opens new windows into dissolved organic matter dynamics in freshwater ecosystems: A review, Limnol. Oceanogr., 55, 2452–2462, https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2010.55.6.2452, 2010.
Flores, J. M., Zhao, D. F., Segev, L., Schlag, P., Kiendler-Scharr, A., Fuchs, H., Watne, Å. K., Bluvshtein, N., Mentel, Th. F., Hallquist, M., and Rudich, Y.: Evolution of the complex refractive index in the UV spectral region in ageing secondary organic aerosol, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 5793–5806, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-5793-2014, 2014.
Forster, P., Storelvmo, T., Armour, K., Collins, W., Dufresne, J.-L., Frame, D., Lunt, D., Mauritsen, T., Palmer, M., Watanabe, M., Wild, M., and Zhai, P.: “Short-lived Climate Forcers”, in: Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis: Working Group I Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 817–922, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157896.008, 2021.
Han, B., Yang, W., Wang, J., Zhao, X., Yin, B., Wang, X., Geng, C., Dou, X., Xu, X., and Bai, Z.: Characterizations and Potential Formation Pathways of Atmospheric Inorganic Ions at a National Background Site in the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau During Autumn Season, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 125, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD032819, 2020.
Heald, C. L., Kroll, J. H., Jimenez, J. L., Docherty, K. S., DeCarlo, P. F., Aiken, A. C., Chen, Q., Martin, S. T., Farmer, D. K., and Artaxo, P.: A simplified description of the evolution of organic aerosol composition in the atmosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL042737, 2010.
Huang, X., Zhang, J., Luo, B., Luo, J., Zhang, W., and Rao, Z.: Characterization of oxalic acid-containing particles in summer and winter seasons in Chengdu, China, Atmos. Environ., 198, 133–141, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.10.050, 2019.
Jiang, W., Ma, L., Niedek, C., Anastasio, C., and Zhang, Q.: Chemical and Light-Absorption Properties of Water-Soluble Organic Aerosols in Northern California and Photooxidant Production by Brown Carbon Components, ACS Earth Space Chem., 7, 1107–1119, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00022, 2023.
Jiang, X., Liu, D., Li, Q., Tian, P., Wu, Y., Li, S., Hu, K., Ding, S., Bi, K., Li, R., Huang, M., Ding, D., Chen, Q., Kong, S., Li, W., Pang, Y., and He, D.: Connecting the Light Absorption of Atmospheric Organic Aerosols with Oxidation State and Polarity, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 12873–12885, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c02202, 2022.
Klodt, A. L., Aiona, P. K., MacMillan, A. C., Ji Lee, H., Zhang, X., Helgestad, T., Novak, G. A., Lin, P., Laskin, J., Laskin, A., Bertram, T. H., Cappa, C. D., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Effect of relative humidity, NOx, and ammonia on the physical properties of naphthalene secondary organic aerosols, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 3, 991–1007, https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ea00033h, 2023.
Laskin, A., Laskin, J., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Chemistry of Atmospheric Brown Carbon, Chem. Rev., 115, 4335–4382, https://doi.org/10.1021/cr5006167, 2015.
Lee, H. J., Laskin, A., Laskin, J., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Excitation-emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yields for fresh and aged biogenic secondary organic aerosols, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 5763–5770, https://doi.org/10.1021/es400644c, 2013.
Lee, W. G., Shin, P., and Wang, C.: The influence of relative humidity on the size of atmospheric aerosol, J. Environ. Sci. Health A, 32, 1085–1097, https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529709376597, 2008.
Li, C., Chen, P., Kang, S., Yan, F., Hu, Z., Qu, B., and Sillanpää, M.: Concentrations and light absorption characteristics of carbonaceous aerosol in PM2.5 and PM10 of Lhasa city, the Tibetan Plateau, Atmos. Environ., 127, 340–346, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.12.059, 2016a.
Li, C., Yan, F., Kang, S., Chen, P., Hu, Z., Gao, S., Qu, B., and Sillanpää, M.: Light absorption characteristics of carbonaceous aerosols in two remote stations of the southern fringe of the Tibetan Plateau, China, Atmos. Environ., 143, 79–85, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.08.042, 2016b.
Li, J., Wang, G., Wang, X., Cao, J., Sun, T., Cheng, C., Meng, J., Hu, T., and Liu, S.: Abundance, composition and source of atmospheric PM2.5 at a remote site in the Tibetan Plateau, China, Tellus B, 65, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v65i0.20281, 2013.
Li, X., Fu, P., Tripathee, L., Yan, F., Hu, Z., Yu, F., Chen, Q., Li, J., Chen, Q., Cao, J., and Kang, S.: Molecular compositions, optical properties, and implications of dissolved brown carbon in snow/ice on the Tibetan Plateau glaciers, Environ. Int., 164, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107276, 2022.
Li, Z., Yuan, R., Feng, Q., Zhang, B., Lv, Y., Li, Y., Wei, W., Chen, W., Ning, T., Gui, J., and Shi, Y.: Climate background, relative rate, and runoff effect of multiphase water transformation in Qilian Mountains, the third pole region, Sci. Total. Environ., 663, 315–328, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.339, 2019.
Liu, S., Sun, W., Shen, Y., and Li, G.: Glacier changes since the Little Ice Age maximum in the western Qilian Shan, northwest China, and consequences of glacier runoff for water supply, J. Glaciol., 49, 117–124, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756503781830926, 2017.
Liu, Y., Hua, S., Jia, R., and Huang, J.: Effect of Aerosols on the Ice Cloud Properties Over the Tibetan Plateau, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 124, 9594–9608, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD030463, 2019.
Luo, L., Bai, X., Liu, S., Wu, B., Liu, W., Lv, Y., Guo, Z., Lin, S., Zhao, S., Hao, Y., Hao, J., Zhang, K., Zheng, A., and Tian, H.: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) in Beijing, China: Variations and chemical compositions as well as sources, J. Environ. Sci., 121, 187–198, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2021.12.014, 2022.
Luo, Y., Zhou, X., Zhang, J., Xue, L., Chen, T., Zheng, P., Sun, J., Yan, X., Han, G., and Wang, W.: Characteristics of airborne water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) at a background site of the North China Plain, Atmos. Res., 231, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2019.104668, 2020.
Ma, L., Li, B., Yabo, S. D., Li, Z., and Qi, H.: Fluorescence fingerprinting characteristics of water-soluble organic carbon from size-resolved particles during pollution event, Chemosphere, 307, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135748, 2022.
Ma, Y., Cheng, Y., Qiu, X., Cao, G., Fang, Y., Wang, J., Zhu, T., Yu, J., and Hu, D.: Sources and oxidative potential of water-soluble humic-like substances (HULISWS) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Beijing, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 5607–5617, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-5607-2018, 2018.
Murphy, K. R., Butler, K. D., Spencer, R. G. M., Stedmon, C. A., Boehme, J. R., and Aiken, G. R.: Measurement of Dissolved Organic Matter Fluorescence in Aquatic Environments: An Interlaboratory Comparison, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 9405–9412, https://doi.org/10.1021/es102362t, 2010.
Murphy, K. R., Stedmon, C. A., Graeber, D., and Bro, R.: Fluorescence spectroscopy and multi-way techniques. PARAFAC, Anal. Methods, 5, 6557–6566, https://doi.org/10.1039/C3AY41160E, 2013.
Ng, N. L., Canagaratna, M. R., Zhang, Q., Jimenez, J. L., Tian, J., Ulbrich, I. M., Kroll, J. H., Docherty, K. S., Chhabra, P. S., Bahreini, R., Murphy, S. M., Seinfeld, J. H., Hildebrandt, L., Donahue, N. M., DeCarlo, P. F., Lanz, V. A., Prévôt, A. S. H., Dinar, E., Rudich, Y., and Worsnop, D. R.: Organic aerosol components observed in Northern Hemispheric datasets from Aerosol Mass Spectrometry, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 4625–4641, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-4625-2010, 2010.
Ng, N. L., Canagaratna, M. R., Jimenez, J. L., Chhabra, P. S., Seinfeld, J. H., and Worsnop, D. R.: Changes in organic aerosol composition with aging inferred from aerosol mass spectra, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 6465–6474, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6465-2011, 2011.
Qi, P., Guo, X., Chang, Y., Tang, J., and Li, S.: Cloud water path, precipitation amount, and precipitation efficiency derived from multiple datasets on the Qilian Mountains, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, Atmos. Res., 274, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2022.106204, 2022.
Saleh, R.: From Measurements to Models: Toward Accurate Representation of Brown Carbon in Climate Calculations, Curr. Pollut. Rep., 6, 90–104, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-020-00139-3, 2020.
Schnitzler, E. G. and Abbatt, J. P. D.: Heterogeneous OH oxidation of secondary brown carbon aerosol, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 14539–14553, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-14539-2018, 2018.
Schnitzler, E. G., Gerrebos, N. G. A., Carter, T. S., Huang, Y., Heald, C. L., Bertram, A. K., and Abbatt, J. P. D.: Rate of atmospheric brown carbon whitening governed by environmental conditions, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 119, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2205610119, 2022.
Siemens, K., Morales, A., He, Q., Li, C., Hettiyadura, A. P. S., Rudich, Y., and Laskin, A.: Molecular Analysis of Secondary Brown Carbon Produced from the Photooxidation of Naphthalene, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 3340–3353, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c03135, 2022.
Stedmon, C. A. and Bro, R.: Characterizing dissolved organic matter fluorescence with parallel factor analysis: a tutorial, Limnol. Oceanogr.-Meth., 6, 572–579, https://doi.org/10.4319/lom.2008.6.572, 2008.
Stein, A. F., Draxler, R. R., Rolph, G. D., Stunder, B. J. B., Cohen, M. D., and Ngan, F.: Noaa's Hysplit Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Modeling System, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 96, 2059–2077, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00110.1, 2015.
Sumlin, B. J., Pandey, A., Walker, M. J., Pattison, R. S., Williams, B. J., and Chakrabarty, R. K.: Atmospheric Photooxidation Diminishes Light Absorption by Primary Brown Carbon Aerosol from Biomass Burning, Environ. Sci. Tech. Let., 4, 540–545, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00393, 2017.
Tang, T., Huo, T., Tao, H., Tian, M., Yang, H., and Wang, H.: Effects of aerosol water content and acidity on the light absorption of atmospheric humic-like substances in winter, Chemosphere, 349, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140796, 2024.
Tao, Y., Yang, Z., Tan, X., Cheng, P., Wu, C., Li, M., Sun, Y., Ma, N., Dong, Y., Zhang, J., and Du, T.: Light Absorption Properties of Brown Carbon Aerosol During Winter at a Polluted Rural Site in the North China Plain, Atmosphere-Basel, 15, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111294, 2024.
Ulbrich, I. M., Canagaratna, M. R., Zhang, Q., Worsnop, D. R., and Jimenez, J. L.: Interpretation of organic components from Positive Matrix Factorization of aerosol mass spectrometric data, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 2891–2918, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-2891-2009, 2009.
Wang, H., Su, Y., Liu, Y., Xie, F., Zhou, X., Yu, R., Lü, C., and He, J.: Water-soluble brown carbon in atmospheric aerosols from the resource-dependent cities: Optical properties, chemical compositions and sources, J. Environ. Sci., 138, 74–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2023.02.035, 2024.
Wang, Q., Han, Y., Ye, J., Liu, S., Pongpiachan, S., Zhang, N., Han, Y., Tian, J., Wu, C., Long, X., Zhang, Q., Zhang, W., Zhao, Z., and Cao, J.: High Contribution of Secondary Brown Carbon to Aerosol Light Absorption in the Southeastern Margin of Tibetan Plateau, Geophys. Res. Lett., 46, 4962–4970, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL082731, 2019.
Wen, H., Zhou, Y., Xu, X., Wang, T., Chen, Q., Chen, Q., Li, W., Wang, Z., Huang, Z., Zhou, T., Shi, J., Bi, J., Ji, M., and Wang, X.: Water-soluble brown carbon in atmospheric aerosols along the transport pathway of Asian dust: Optical properties, chemical compositions, and potential sources, Sci. Total. Environ., 789, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147971, 2021.
Wu, G., Ram, K., Fu, P., Wang, W., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., Stone, E. A., Pradhan, B. B., Dangol, P. M., Panday, A. K., Wan, X., Bai, Z., Kang, S., Zhang, Q., and Cong, Z.: Water-Soluble Brown Carbon in Atmospheric Aerosols from Godavari (Nepal), a Regional Representative of South Asia, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 3471–3479, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b00596, 2019.
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, 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, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115906, 2021.
Xie, F., Lin, Y., Ren, L., Gul, C., Wang, J., Cao, F., Zhang, Y., Xie, T., Wu, J., and Zhang, Y.: Decrease of atmospheric black carbon and CO concentrations due to COVID-19 lockdown at the Mt. Waliguan WMO/GAW baseline station in China, Environ. Res., 211, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112984, 2022.
Xu, J. and Li, K.: Comprehensive dataset of atmospheric aerosols (PM2.5) at Waliguan Station (2019–2020), National Cryosphere Desert Data Center [data set], https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.nieer.db6809.2025, 2025.
Xu, J., Wang, Z., Yu, G., Sun, W., Qin, X., Ren, J., and Qin, D.: Seasonal and diurnal variations in aerosol concentrations at a high-altitude site on the northern boundary of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Atmos. Res., 120, 240–248, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.08.022, 2013.
Xu, J., Wang, Z., Yu, G., Qin, X., Ren, J., and Qin, D.: Characteristics of water soluble ionic species in fine particles from a high altitude site on the northern boundary of Tibetan Plateau: Mixture of mineral dust and anthropogenic aerosol, Atmos. Res., 143, 43–56, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.01.018, 2014.
Xu, J. Z., Zhang, Q., Wang, Z. B., Yu, G. M., Ge, X. L., and Qin, X.: Chemical composition and size distribution of summertime PM2.5 at a high altitude remote location in the northeast of the Qinghai–Xizang (Tibet) Plateau: insights into aerosol sources and processing in free troposphere, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5069–5081, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5069-2015, 2015.
Xu, J., Zhang, Q., Shi, J., Ge, X., Xie, C., Wang, J., Kang, S., Zhang, R., and Wang, Y.: Chemical characteristics of submicron particles at the central Tibetan Plateau: insights from aerosol mass spectrometry, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 427–443, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-427-2018, 2018.
Xu, J., Hettiyadura, A. P. S., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Kang, S., and Laskin, A.: Regional Differences of Chemical Composition and Optical Properties of Aerosols in the Tibetan Plateau, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 125, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD031226, 2020a.
Xu, J., Tian, Y., Cheng, C., Wang, C., Lin, Q., Li, M., Wang, X., and Shi, G.: Characteristics and source apportionment of ambient single particles in Tianjin, China: The close association between oxalic acid and biomass burning, Atmos. Res., 237, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2020.104843, 2020b.
Xu, J., Hettiyadura, A. P. S., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Kang, S., and Laskin, A.: Atmospheric Brown Carbon on the Tibetan Plateau: Regional Differences in Chemical Composition and Light Absorption Properties, Environ. Sci. Tech. Let., 9, 219–225, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00016, 2022.
Xu, J., Mei, F., Zhang, X., Zhao, W., Zhai, L., Zhong, M., and Hou, S.: Impact of Anthropogenic Aerosol Transport on Cloud Condensation Nuclei Activity During Summertime in Qilian Mountain, in the Northern Tibetan Plateau, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 129, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JD040519, 2024a.
Xu, J., Zhang, X., Zhao, W., Zhai, L., Zhong, M., Shi, J., Sun, J., Liu, Y., Xie, C., Tan, Y., Li, K., Ge, X., Zhang, Q., and Kang, S.: High-resolution physicochemical dataset of atmospheric aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau and its surroundings, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 1875–1900, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1875-2024, 2024b.
Yan, J., Wang, X., Gong, P., Wang, C., and Cong, Z.: Review of brown carbon aerosols: Recent progress and perspectives, Sci. Total. Environ., 634, 1475–1485, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.083, 2018.
Yang, F., Chen, H., Wang, X., Yang, X., Du, J., and Chen, J.: Single particle mass spectrometry of oxalic acid in ambient aerosols in Shanghai: Mixing state and formation mechanism, Atmos. Environ., 43, 3876–3882, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.05.002, 2009.
Yang, Y., Qin, J., Qi, T., Zhou, X., Chen, R., Tan, J., Xiao, K., Ji, D., He, K., and Chen, X.: Fluorescence characteristics of particulate water-soluble organic compounds emitted from coal-fired boilers, Atmos. Environ., 223, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117297, 2020.
Yu, F., Li, X., Zhang, R., Guo, J., Yang, W., Tripathee, L., Liu, L., Wang, Y., Kang, S., and Cao, J.: Insights into dissolved organics in non-urban areas-Optical properties and sources, Environ. Pollut., 329, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121641, 2023.
Yu, L., Zhang, M., Wang, L., Qin, W., Jiang, D., and Li, J.: Variability of surface solar radiation under clear skies over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Role of aerosols and water vapor, Atmos. Environ., 287, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119286, 2022.
Zhai, L., An, Y., Feng, L., Qin, X., and Xu, J.: Contrasting the physical and chemical characteristics of dissolved organic matter between glacier and glacial runoff from a mountain glacier on the Tibetan Plateau, Sci. Total. Environ., 848, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157784, 2022.
Zhang, C., Chen, M., Kang, S., Yan, F., Han, X., Gautam, S., Hu, Z., Zheng, H., Chen, P., Gao, S., Wang, P., and Li, C.: Light absorption and fluorescence characteristics of water-soluble organic compounds in carbonaceous particles at a typical remote site in the southeastern Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, Environ. Pollut., 272, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116000, 2021a.
Zhang, X., Xu, J., Kang, S., Zhang, Q., and Sun, J.: Chemical characterization and sources of submicron aerosols in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: insights from high-resolution mass spectrometry, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 7897–7911, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7897-2019, 2019.
Zhang, X., Xu, J., and Kang, S.: Chemical characterization of submicron particulate matter (PM1) emitted by burning highland barley in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Atmos. Environ., 224, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117351, 2020.
Zhang, X., Xu, J., Kang, S., Sun, J., Shi, J., Gong, C., Sun, X., Du, H., Ge, X., and Zhang, Q.: Regional Differences in the Light Absorption Properties of Fine Particulate Matter Over the Tibetan Plateau: Insights From HR-ToF-AMS and Aethalometer Measurements, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD035562, 2021b.
Zhang, Y., Xu, J., Shi, J., Xie, C., Ge, X., Wang, J., Kang, S., and Zhang, Q.: Light absorption by water-soluble organic carbon in atmospheric fine particles in the central Tibetan Plateau, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 24, 21386–21397, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9688-8, 2017a.
Zhang, Y., Forrister, H., Liu, J., Dibb, J., Anderson, B., Schwarz, J. P., Perring, A. E., Jimenez, J. L., Campuzano-Jost, P., Wang, Y., Nenes, A., and Weber, R. J.: Top-of-atmosphere radiative forcing affected by brown carbon in the upper troposphere, Nature Geosci., 10, 486–489, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2960, 2017b.
Zhao, S., Ming, J., Xiao, C., Sun, W., and Qin, X.: A preliminary study on measurements of black carbon in the atmosphere of northwest Qilian Shan, J. Environ. Sci., 24, 152–159, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(11)60739-0, 2012.
Zhao, W., Zhang, X., Zhai, L., Shen, X., and Xu, J.: Chemical characterization and sources of submicron aerosols in Lhasa on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Insights from high-resolution mass spectrometry, Sci. Total. Environ., 815, 152866, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152866, 2022.
Zheng, X., Shen, C., Wan, G., Tang, J., and Liu, K.: Mass and isotopic concentrations of water-insoluble refractory carbon in total suspended particulates at Mt. Waliguan Observatory (China), Particuology, 20, 24–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2014.11.003, 2015.
Zheng, Z., Zhu, W., Chen, G., Jiang, N., Fan, D., and Zhang, D.: Continuous but diverse advancement of spring-summer phenology in response to climate warming across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 223, 194–202, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2016.04.012, 2016.
Zhong, M., Xu, J., Wang, H., Gao, L., Zhu, H., Zhai, L., Zhang, X., and Zhao, W.: Characterizing water-soluble brown carbon in fine particles in four typical cities in northwestern China during wintertime: integrating optical properties with chemical processes, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12609–12630, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12609-2023, 2023.
Zhu, C., Qu, Y., Huang, H., Chen, J., Dai, W., Huang, R., and Cao, J.: Black Carbon and Secondary Brown Carbon, the Dominant Light Absorption and Direct Radiative Forcing Contributors of the Atmospheric Aerosols Over the Tibetan Plateau, Geophys. Res. Lett., 48, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092524, 2021.
Zhu, C., Qu, Y., Huang, H., Shi, J., Dai, W., Zhang, N., Wang, N., Wang, L., Ji, S., and Cao, J.: Brown Carbon From Biomass Burning Reinforces the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau Warming, Geophys. Res. Lett., 51, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107269, 2024.
Zsolnay, A., Baigar, E., Jimenez, M., Steinweg, B., and Saccomandi, F.: Differentiating with fluorescence spectroscopy the sources of dissolved organic matter in soils subjected to drying, Chemosphere, 38, 45–50, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00166-0, 1999.
Short summary
This study presents a year-long PM2.5 study at Waliguan Baseline Observatory in the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau to investigate the optical properties of water-soluble brown carbon and its source. Our findings highlight that organic matter, sulfate, and nitrate are the dominant contributors to PM2.5 mass concentrations. Notable seasonal variations in the light absorption capacity of water-soluble brown carbon, accompanied by a high degree of oxidation are also observed.
This study presents a year-long PM2.5 study at Waliguan Baseline Observatory in the northeast of...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint