Articles | Volume 25, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-14513-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-14513-2025
Research article
 | 
04 Nov 2025
Research article |  | 04 Nov 2025

Vertical and seasonal variations in airborne endotoxins in a coastal megacity of North China: insights from 3-hydroxy fatty acids

Wenxin Zhang, Wei Hu, Mutong Niu, Quanfei Zhu, Na An, Qiang Zhang, Rui Jin, Xiaoli Fu, Jian Hao, Jianbo Yang, Jingle Liu, Jing Shi, Suqin Han, Junjun Deng, Libin Wu, Yuqi Feng, Kimitaka Kawamura, and Pingqing Fu

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Cited articles

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We quantified 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH-FAs) in PM10 from urban Tianjin to assess airborne endotoxins, which showed clear seasonal and vertical variations. Mid-chain 3-OH-FAs were linked to microorganisms and regional secondary processes, while long-chain species were more associated with biomass burning and local secondary formation. These findings highlight distinct source pathways of 3-OH-FAs and provide insights into airborne endotoxins in urban environments.
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