Articles | Volume 25, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-15145-2025
© 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-25-15145-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Review article
| 
07 Nov 2025
Review article |
| 07 Nov 2025
| 07 Nov 2025
A comprehensive review of tropospheric background ozone: definitions, estimation methods, and meta-analysis of its spatiotemporal distribution in China
Chujun Chen
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Weihua Chen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Linhao Guo
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Yongkang Wu
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Xianzhong Duan
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Xuemei Wang
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Min Shao
College of Environmental and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
Related authors
No articles found.
Aoxing Zhang, Tzung-May Fu, Yuhang Wang, Enyu Xiong, Wenlu Wu, Yumin Li, Lei Zhu, Wei Tao, Kelley C. Wells, Dylan B. Millet, Zhe Wang, Bin Yuan, Min Shao, Christophe Lerot, Thomas Danckaert, Ruixiong Zhang, and Kelvin H. Bates
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5083, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5083, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
Glyoxal, a product of volatile organic compound oxidation, influences atmospheric oxidation and aerosol formation but is underestimated in models. By improving emissions, chemistry, and marine sources in GEOS-Chem, we better reproduce observed glyoxal over land and ocean, which strengthens global oxidation capacity and aerosol formation. The results highlight glyoxal's role as a proxy of atmospheric oxidation, and emphasize the needs of accurately representing glyoxal chemistry.
Mingfu Cai, Bin Yuan, Weiwei Hu, Chenshuo Ye, Shan Huang, Suxia Yang, Wei Chen, Yuwen Peng, Zhaoxiong Deng, Jun Zhao, Duohong Chen, Jiaren Sun, and Min Shao
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4597, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4597, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates how the formation and aging processes of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) influence the evolution of SOA volatility in downwind regions. Our results reveal that elevated NOₓ levels enhanced the daytime SOA volatility by modifying gas-particle partitioning, particularly through suppressing the production of low-volatility organic vapors. In contrast, photochemical aging was associated with reduced SOA volatility.
Wenhui Zhao, Weiwei Hu, Zhaoce Liu, Tianle Pan, Tingting Feng, Jun Wang, Yiyu Cai, Lin Liang, Shan Huang, Bin Yuan, Nan Ma, Min Shao, Guohua Zhang, Xinhui Bi, Xinming Wang, and Pengfei Yu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2974, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2974, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study examined brown carbon—organic aerosols that absorb light—at the remote Tibet and urban Guangzhou. Field data showed Tibet’s brown carbon absorbs about 10 times less than Guangzhou’s, due to cleaner air. Yet, over 75 % of its light absorption still comes from primary emission, which causes over 98 % of its climate-warming effect in both places. This study advances understanding of BrC dynamics and its sources in diverse environments for global climate effects.
Xi Chen, Xiaoyang Chen, Long Wang, Shucheng Chang, Minhui Li, Chong Shen, Chenghao Liao, Yongbo Zhang, Mei Li, and Xuemei Wang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2635, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2635, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
Typhoons moving north near China create ozone pollution in Guangdong by combining strong sunlight with stagnant air. These tyhoons also push ozone-rich air from high altitudes down to ground level. When multiple north-moving typhoons occur back-to-back, they cause widespread and long-lasting ozone pollution. Vertical air currents during these events can contribute up to 16 % of boundary layer ozone.
Yuwen Peng, Bin Yuan, Sihang Wang, Xin Song, Zhe Peng, Wenjie Wang, Suxia Yang, Jipeng Qi, Xianjun He, Yibo Huangfu, Xiao-Bing Li, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7037–7052, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7037-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7037-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A structural-based parameterization for the photolysis rates of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) was integrated into an updated chemical mechanism. This method links photolysis rates to species' structure, bypassing limitations of insufficient quantum yield data. Box model results show that non-HCHO OVOCs, particularly multifunctional carbonyl compounds, significantly contribute to radical production, with alkene and aromatic oxidation products playing key roles.
Yibo Huangfu, Ziyang Liu, Bin Yuan, Sihang Wang, Xianjun He, Wei Zhou, Fei Wang, Ping Tian, Wei Xiao, Yuanmou Du, Jiujiang Sheng, and Min Shao
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2988, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2988, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Severe air pollution over the North China Plain has posed significant threats to human health. Emerging evidence highlights the vital role of vertical pollutant transport in influencing surface air quality. In this study, we summarized the vertical profiles of key pollutants based on aircraft surveys up to 4,000 m. The influence of regional transport on the vertical distribution patterns was analyzed, offering essential data for evaluating the impact of aloft pollutants on surface air quality.
Bowen Zhong, Bin Jiang, Jun Zhou, Tao Zhang, Duohong Chen, Yuhong Zhai, Junqing Luo, Minhui Deng, Mao Xiao, Jianhui Jiang, Jing Li, and Min Shao
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1618, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1618, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding ozone production is vital for pollution control, as it directly affects ozone levels. Conventional models often lack key mechanisms, like certain volatile organic compounds, reducing the reliability of ozone production and sensitivity assessments. To fix this, we used a detection system to measure these factors during 2023 autumn field observations in rural China. Combining the system with a box model enabled a detailed study of ozone production and sensitivity.
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.
Xiao-Bing Li, Bin Yuan, Yibo Huangfu, Suxia Yang, Xin Song, Jipeng Qi, Xianjun He, Sihang Wang, Yubin Chen, Qing Yang, Yongxin Song, Yuwen Peng, Guiqian Tang, Jian Gao, Dasa Gu, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2459–2472, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2459-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2459-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Online vertical gradient measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, and NOx were conducted based on a 325 m tall tower in urban Beijing. Vertical changes in the concentrations, compositions, key drivers, and environmental impacts of VOCs were analyzed in this study. We find that VOC species display differentiated vertical variation patterns and distinct roles in contributing to photochemical ozone formation with increasing height in the urban planetary boundary layer.
Mingfu Cai, Chenshuo Ye, Bin Yuan, Shan Huang, E Zheng, Suxia Yang, Zelong Wang, Yi Lin, Tiange Li, Weiwei Hu, Wei Chen, Qicong Song, Wei Li, Yuwen Peng, Baoling Liang, Qibin Sun, Jun Zhao, Duohong Chen, Jiaren Sun, Zhiyong Yang, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13065–13079, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13065-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13065-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated the daytime secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in urban plumes. We observed a significant daytime SOA formation through gas–particle partitioning when the site was affected by urban plumes. A box model simulation indicated that urban pollutants (nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds) could enhance the oxidizing capacity, while the elevated volatile organic compounds were mainly responsible for promoting daytime SOA formation.
Jun Zhou, Chunsheng Zhang, Aiming Liu, Bin Yuan, Yan Wang, Wenjie Wang, Jie-Ping Zhou, Yixin Hao, Xiao-Bing Li, Xianjun He, Xin Song, Yubin Chen, Suxia Yang, Shuchun Yang, Yanfeng Wu, Bin Jiang, Shan Huang, Junwen Liu, Yuwen Peng, Jipeng Qi, Minhui Deng, Bowen Zhong, Yibo Huangfu, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 9805–9826, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9805-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9805-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In-depth understanding of the near-ground vertical variability in photochemical ozone (O3) formation is crucial for mitigating O3 pollution. Utilizing a self-built vertical observation system, a direct net photochemical O3 production rate detection system, and an observation-based model, we diagnosed the vertical distributions and formation mechanism of net photochemical O3 production rates and sensitivity in the Pearl River Delta region, one of the most O3-polluted areas in China.
Xianzhong Duan, Ming Chang, Guotong Wu, Suping Situ, Shengjie Zhu, Qi Zhang, Yibo Huangfu, Weiwen Wang, Weihua Chen, Bin Yuan, and Xuemei Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4065–4079, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4065-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4065-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Accurately estimating biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions in forest ecosystems has been challenging. This research presents a framework that utilizes drone-based lidar, photogrammetry, and image recognition technologies to identify plant species and estimate BVOC emissions. The largest cumulative isoprene emissions were found in the Myrtaceae family, while those of monoterpenes were from the Rubiaceae family.
Sihang Wang, Bin Yuan, Xianjun He, Ru Cui, Xin Song, Yubin Chen, Caihong Wu, Chaomin Wang, Yibo Huangfu, Xiao-Bing Li, Boguang Wang, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7101–7121, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7101-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7101-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Emissions of reactive organic gases from industrial volatile chemical product sources are measured. There are large differences among these industrial sources. We show that oxygenated species account for significant contributions to reactive organic gas emissions, especially for industrial sources utilizing water-borne chemicals.
Qing Yang, Xiao-Bing Li, Bin Yuan, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Yibo Huangfu, Lei Yang, Xianjun He, Jipeng Qi, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6865–6882, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6865-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6865-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Online vertical gradient measurements of formic and isocyanic acids were made based on a 320 m tower in a megacity. Vertical variations and sources of the two acids were analyzed in this study. We find that formic and isocyanic acids exhibited positive vertical gradients and were mainly contributed by photochemical formations. The formation of formic and isocyanic acids was also significantly enhanced in urban regions aloft.
Wenjie Wang, Bin Yuan, Hang Su, Yafang Cheng, Jipeng Qi, Sihang Wang, Wei Song, Xinming Wang, Chaoyang Xue, Chaoqun Ma, Fengxia Bao, Hongli Wang, Shengrong Lou, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4017–4027, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4017-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4017-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the important role of unmeasured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ozone formation. Based on results in a megacity of China, we show that unmeasured VOCs can contribute significantly to ozone fomation and also influence the determination of ozone control strategy. Our results show that these unmeasured VOCs are mainly from human sources.
Liting Yang, Ming Chang, Shuping Situ, Weiwen Wang, and Xuemei Wang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-28, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-28, 2024
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
The study aims to develop and apply the WRF-uEMEP model to simulate air quality at the city scale, with a focus on Foshan, the city with the highest industrial density. The research process included model development, calibration, and validation using existing air quality data in Foshan. Research shows that WRF-uEMEP model effectively captures the impact of urban structure on air pollutant processes and reveals the spatial and temporal distribution of air pollutants in Foshan.
Yixin Hao, Jun Zhou, Jie-Ping Zhou, Yan Wang, Suxia Yang, Yibo Huangfu, Xiao-Bing Li, Chunsheng Zhang, Aiming Liu, Yanfeng Wu, Yaqing Zhou, Shuchun Yang, Yuwen Peng, Jipeng Qi, Xianjun He, Xin Song, Yubin Chen, Bin Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9891–9910, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9891-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9891-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
By employing an improved net photochemical ozone production rate (NPOPR) detection system based on the dual-channel reaction chamber technique, we measured the net photochemical ozone production rate in the Pearl River Delta in China. The photochemical ozone formation mechanisms in the reaction and reference chambers were investigated using the observation-data-constrained box model, which helped us to validate the NPOPR detection system and understand photochemical ozone formation mechanism.
Yiyu Cai, Chenshuo Ye, Wei Chen, Weiwei Hu, Wei Song, Yuwen Peng, Shan Huang, Jipeng Qi, Sihang Wang, Chaomin Wang, Caihong Wu, Zelong Wang, Baolin Wang, Xiaofeng Huang, Lingyan He, Sasho Gligorovski, Bin Yuan, Min Shao, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8855–8877, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8855-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8855-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the variability and molecular composition of ambient oxidized organic nitrogen (OON) in both gas and particle phases using a state-of-the-art online mass spectrometer in urban air. Biomass burning and secondary formation were found to be the two major sources of OON. Daytime nitrate radical chemistry for OON formation was more important than previously thought. Our results improved the understanding of the sources and molecular composition of OON in the polluted urban atmosphere.
Tingting Feng, Yingkun Wang, Weiwei Hu, Ming Zhu, Wei Song, Wei Chen, Yanyan Sang, Zheng Fang, Wei Deng, Hua Fang, Xu Yu, Cheng Wu, Bin Yuan, Shan Huang, Min Shao, Xiaofeng Huang, Lingyan He, Young Ro Lee, Lewis Gregory Huey, Francesco Canonaco, Andre S. H. Prevot, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 611–636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-611-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-611-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
To investigate the impact of aging processes on organic aerosols (OA), we conducted a comprehensive field study at a continental remote site using an on-line mass spectrometer. The results show that OA in the Chinese outflows were strongly influenced by upwind anthropogenic emissions. The aging processes can significantly decrease the OA volatility and result in a varied viscosity of OA under different circumstances, signifying the complex physiochemical properties of OA in aged plumes.
Yongkang Wu, Weihua Chen, Yingchang You, Qianqian Xie, Shiguo Jia, and Xuemei Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 453–469, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-453-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-453-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Relying on observed and simulated data, we determine the spatiotemporal characteristics of nocturnal O3 increase (NOI) events in the Pearl River Delta region during 2006–2019. Low-level jets and convective storms are the main meteorological processes causing NOI. Daytime O3 is another essential influencing factor. More importantly, a more prominent role of meteorological processes in NOI has been demonstrated. Our study highlights the important role of meteorology in nocturnal O3 pollution.
Yubin Chen, Bin Yuan, Chaomin Wang, Sihang Wang, Xianjun He, Caihong Wu, Xin Song, Yibo Huangfu, Xiao-Bing Li, Yijia Liao, and Min Shao
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6935–6947, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6935-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6935-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we demonstrate that selective online measurements of cycloalkanes can be achieved using proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry with NO+ chemical ionization (NO+ PTR-ToF-MS), with fast response and low detection limits. Applications of this method in both urban air and emission sources will be shown.
Haichao Wang, Bin Yuan, E Zheng, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Jie Wang, Keding Lu, Chenshuo Ye, Lei Yang, Shan Huang, Weiwei Hu, Suxia Yang, Yuwen Peng, Jipeng Qi, Sihang Wang, Xianjun He, Yubin Chen, Tiange Li, Wenjie Wang, Yibo Huangfu, Xiaobing Li, Mingfu Cai, Xuemei Wang, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14837–14858, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14837-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14837-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present intensive field measurement of ClNO2 in the Pearl River Delta in 2019. Large variation in the level, formation, and atmospheric impacts of ClNO2 was found in different air masses. ClNO2 formation was limited by the particulate chloride (Cl−) and aerosol surface area. Our results reveal that Cl− originated from various anthropogenic emissions rather than sea sources and show minor contribution to the O3 pollution and photochemistry.
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.
Xiao-Bing Li, Bin Yuan, Sihang Wang, Chunlin Wang, Jing Lan, Zhijie Liu, Yongxin Song, Xianjun He, Yibo Huangfu, Chenglei Pei, Peng Cheng, Suxia Yang, Jipeng Qi, Caihong Wu, Shan Huang, Yingchang You, Ming Chang, Huadan Zheng, Wenda Yang, Xuemei Wang, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 10567–10587, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10567-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10567-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
High-time-resolution measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were made using an online mass spectrometer at a 600 m tall tower in urban region. Compositions, temporal variations, and sources of VOCs were quantitatively investigated in this study. We find that VOC measurements in urban regions aloft could better characterize source characteristics of anthropogenic emissions. Our results could provide important implications in making future strategies for control of VOCs.
Sihang Wang, Bin Yuan, Caihong Wu, Chaomin Wang, Tiange Li, Xianjun He, Yibo Huangfu, Jipeng Qi, Xiao-Bing Li, Qing'e Sha, Manni Zhu, Shengrong Lou, Hongli Wang, Thomas Karl, Martin Graus, Zibing Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9703–9720, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9703-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9703-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from vehicles are measured using online mass spectrometers. Differences between gasoline and diesel vehicles are observed with higher emission factors of most oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) and heavier aromatics from diesel vehicles. A higher aromatics / toluene ratio could provide good indicators to distinguish emissions from both vehicle types. We show that OVOCs account for significant contributions to VOC emissions from vehicles, especially diesel vehicles.
Yihang Yu, Peng Cheng, Huirong Li, Wenda Yang, Baobin Han, Wei Song, Weiwei Hu, Xinming Wang, Bin Yuan, Min Shao, Zhijiong Huang, Zhen Li, Junyu Zheng, Haichao Wang, and Xiaofang Yu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8951–8971, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8951-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8951-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We have investigated the budget of HONO at an urban site in Guangzhou. Budget and comprehensive uncertainty analysis suggest that at such locations as ours, HONO direct emissions and NO + OH can become comparable or even surpass other HONO sources that typically receive greater attention and interest, such as the NO2 heterogeneous source and the unknown daytime photolytic source. Our findings emphasize the need to reduce the uncertainties of both conventional and novel HONO sources and sinks.
Qi Zhang, Shiguo Jia, Weihua Chen, Jingying Mao, Liming Yang, Padmaja Krishnan, Sayantan Sarkar, Min Shao, and Xuemei Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-394, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-394, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
We use satellite data in the establishment of methylamines marine biological emission (MBE) inventory for the first time, which considers effects of actual marine environment on methylamines emission fluxes. MBE fluxes of monomethylamine and trimethylamines can be comparable with or even higher than that of terrestrial anthropogenic emissions , while for dimethylamines, the ocean acts as a sink. Wind and Chlorophyll-a were potentially the most important factors affecting MBE fluxes.
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.
Suxia Yang, Bin Yuan, Yuwen Peng, Shan Huang, Wei Chen, Weiwei Hu, Chenglei Pei, Jun Zhou, David D. Parrish, Wenjie Wang, Xianjun He, Chunlei Cheng, Xiao-Bing Li, Xiaoyun Yang, Yu Song, Haichao Wang, Jipeng Qi, Baolin Wang, Chen Wang, Chaomin Wang, Zelong Wang, Tiange Li, E Zheng, Sihang Wang, Caihong Wu, Mingfu Cai, Chenshuo Ye, Wei Song, Peng Cheng, Duohong Chen, Xinming Wang, Zhanyi Zhang, Xuemei Wang, Junyu Zheng, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4539–4556, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4539-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4539-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We use a model constrained using observations to study the formation of nitrate aerosol in and downwind of a representative megacity. We found different contributions of various chemical reactions to ground-level nitrate concentrations between urban and suburban regions. We also show that controlling VOC emissions are effective for decreasing nitrate formation in both urban and regional environments, although VOCs are not direct precursors of nitrate aerosol.
Wenjie Wang, Bin Yuan, Yuwen Peng, Hang Su, Yafang Cheng, Suxia Yang, Caihong Wu, Jipeng Qi, Fengxia Bao, Yibo Huangfu, Chaomin Wang, Chenshuo Ye, Zelong Wang, Baolin Wang, Xinming Wang, Wei Song, Weiwei Hu, Peng Cheng, Manni Zhu, Junyu Zheng, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4117–4128, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4117-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4117-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
From thorough measurements of numerous oxygenated volatile organic compounds, we show that their photodissociation can be important for radical production and ozone formation in the atmosphere. This effect was underestimated in previous studies, as measurements of them were lacking.
Ming Chang, Jiachen Cao, Qi Zhang, Weihua Chen, Guotong Wu, Liping Wu, Weiwen Wang, and Xuemei Wang
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 787–801, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-787-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-787-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Despite the importance of nitrogen deposition, its simulation is still insufficiently represented in current atmospheric chemistry models. In this study, the improvement of the canopy stomatal resistance mechanism and the nitrogen-limiting schemes in Noah-MP-WDDM v1.42 give new options for simulating nitrogen dry deposition velocity. This study finds that the combined BN-23 mechanism agrees better with the observed NO2 dry deposition velocity, with the mean bias reduced by 50.1 %.
Ziwei Mo, Ru Cui, Bin Yuan, Huihua Cai, Brian C. McDonald, Meng Li, Junyu Zheng, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13655–13666, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13655-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13655-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
There is a lack of detailed understanding of NMVOC emissions from the use of volatile chemical products (VCPs) in China. This study used a mass balance method to compile a long-term emission inventory for solvent use (including coatings, adhesives, inks, pesticides, cleaners and personal care products) in China during 2000–2017. The striking growth and recent trend of solvent use NMVOC emissions can give important implications for air quality modeling and NMVOC control strategies in China.
Zhiyong Wu, Leiming Zhang, John T. Walker, Paul A. Makar, Judith A. Perlinger, and Xuemei Wang
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 5093–5105, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5093-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5093-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A community dry deposition algorithm for modeling the gaseous dry deposition process in chemistry transport models was extended to include an additional 12 oxidized volatile organic compounds and hydrogen cyanide based on their physicochemical properties and was then evaluated using field flux measurements over a mixed forest. This study provides a useful tool that is needed in chemistry transport models with increasing complexity for simulating an important atmospheric process.
Luolin Wu, Jian Hang, Xuemei Wang, Min Shao, and Cheng Gong
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 4655–4681, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-4655-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-4655-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In order to investigate street-scale flow and air quality, this study has developed APFoam 1.0 to examine the reactive pollutant formation and dispersion in the urban area. The model has been validated and shows good agreement with wind tunnel experimental data. Model sensitivity cases reveal that vehicle emissions, background concentrations, and wind conditions are the key factors affecting the photochemical reaction process.
Benjamin A. Nault, Duseong S. Jo, Brian C. McDonald, Pedro Campuzano-Jost, Douglas A. Day, Weiwei Hu, Jason C. Schroder, James Allan, Donald R. Blake, Manjula R. Canagaratna, Hugh Coe, Matthew M. Coggon, Peter F. DeCarlo, Glenn S. Diskin, Rachel Dunmore, Frank Flocke, Alan Fried, Jessica B. Gilman, Georgios Gkatzelis, Jacqui F. Hamilton, Thomas F. Hanisco, Patrick L. Hayes, Daven K. Henze, Alma Hodzic, James Hopkins, Min Hu, L. Greggory Huey, B. Thomas Jobson, William C. Kuster, Alastair Lewis, Meng Li, Jin Liao, M. Omar Nawaz, Ilana B. Pollack, Jeffrey Peischl, Bernhard Rappenglück, Claire E. Reeves, Dirk Richter, James M. Roberts, Thomas B. Ryerson, Min Shao, Jacob M. Sommers, James Walega, Carsten Warneke, Petter Weibring, Glenn M. Wolfe, Dominique E. Young, Bin Yuan, Qiang Zhang, Joost A. de Gouw, and Jose L. Jimenez
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 11201–11224, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11201-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11201-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is an important aspect of poor air quality for urban regions around the world, where a large fraction of the population lives. However, there is still large uncertainty in predicting SOA in urban regions. Here, we used data from 11 urban campaigns and show that the variability in SOA production in these regions is predictable and is explained by key emissions. These results are used to estimate the premature mortality associated with SOA in urban regions.
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.
Syuichi Itahashi, Baozhu Ge, Keiichi Sato, Zhe Wang, Junichi Kurokawa, Jiani Tan, Kan Huang, Joshua S. Fu, Xuemei Wang, Kazuyo Yamaji, Tatsuya Nagashima, Jie Li, Mizuo Kajino, Gregory R. Carmichael, and Zifa Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8709–8734, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8709-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8709-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents the detailed analysis of acid deposition over southeast Asia based on the Model Inter-Comparison Study for Asia (MICS-Asia) phase III. Simulated wet deposition is evaluated with observation data from the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET). The difficulties of models to capture observations are related to the model performance on precipitation. The precipitation-adjusted approach was applied, and the distribution of wet deposition was successfully revised.
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.
Chenshuo Ye, Bin Yuan, Yi Lin, Zelong Wang, Weiwei Hu, Tiange Li, Wei Chen, Caihong Wu, Chaomin Wang, Shan Huang, Jipeng Qi, Baolin Wang, Chen Wang, Wei Song, Xinming Wang, E Zheng, Jordan E. Krechmer, Penglin Ye, Zhanyi Zhang, Xuemei Wang, Douglas R. Worsnop, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8455–8478, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8455-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8455-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We performed measurements of gaseous and particulate organic compounds using a state-of-the-art online mass spectrometer in urban air. Using the dataset, we provide a holistic chemical characterization of oxygenated organic compounds in the polluted urban atmosphere, which can serve as a reference for the future field measurements of organic compounds in cities.
Wenjie Wang, Jipeng Qi, Jun Zhou, Bin Yuan, Yuwen Peng, Sihang Wang, Suxia Yang, Jonathan Williams, Vinayak Sinha, and Min Shao
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2285–2298, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2285-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2285-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We designed a new reactor for measurements of OH reactivity (i.e., OH radical loss frequency) based on the comparative reactivity method under
high-NOx conditions, such as in cities. We performed a series of laboratory tests to evaluate the new reactor. The new reactor was used in the field and performed well in measuring OH reactivity in air influenced by upwind cities.
Wenjie Wang, David D. Parrish, Xin Li, Min Shao, Ying Liu, Ziwei Mo, Sihua Lu, Min Hu, Xin Fang, Yusheng Wu, Limin Zeng, and Yuanhang Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15617–15633, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15617-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15617-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
During the past decade, China has devoted very substantial resources to improving the environment. These efforts have improved atmospheric particulate matter loading, but ambient ozone levels have continued to increase. In this paper we investigate the causes of the increasing ozone concentrations through analysis of a data set that is, to our knowledge, unique: a 12-year data set including ground-level O3, NOx, and VOC precursors collected at an urban site in Beijing.
Caihong Wu, Chaomin Wang, Sihang Wang, Wenjie Wang, Bin Yuan, Jipeng Qi, Baolin Wang, Hongli Wang, Chen Wang, Wei Song, Xinming Wang, Weiwei Hu, Shengrong Lou, Chenshuo Ye, Yuwen Peng, Zelong Wang, Yibo Huangfu, Yan Xie, Manni Zhu, Junyu Zheng, Xuemei Wang, Bin Jiang, Zhanyi Zhang, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14769–14785, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14769-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14769-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Based on measurements from an online mass spectrometer, we quantify volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations from numerous ions of the mass spectrometer, using information from laboratory-obtained calibration results. We find that most VOC concentrations are from oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs). We further show that these OVOCs also contribute significantly to OH reactivity. Our results suggest the important role of OVOCs in VOC emissions and chemistry in urban air.
Sarah E. Benish, Hao He, Xinrong Ren, Sandra J. Roberts, Ross J. Salawitch, Zhanqing Li, Fei Wang, Yuying Wang, Fang Zhang, Min Shao, Sihua Lu, and Russell R. Dickerson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14523–14545, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14523-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14523-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Airborne observations of ozone and related pollutants show smog was pervasive in spring 2016 over Hebei Province, China. We find high amounts of ozone precursors throughout and even above the PBL, continuing to generate ozone at high rates to be potentially transported downwind. Concentrations even in the rural areas of this highly industrialized province promote widespread ozone production, and we show that to improve air quality over Hebei both NOx and VOCs should be targeted.
Chaomin Wang, Bin Yuan, Caihong Wu, Sihang Wang, Jipeng Qi, Baolin Wang, Zelong Wang, Weiwei Hu, Wei Chen, Chenshuo Ye, Wenjie Wang, Yele Sun, Chen Wang, Shan Huang, Wei Song, Xinming Wang, Suxia Yang, Shenyang Zhang, Wanyun Xu, Nan Ma, Zhanyi Zhang, Bin Jiang, Hang Su, Yafang Cheng, Xuemei Wang, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14123–14138, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14123-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14123-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We utilized a novel online mass spectrometry method to measure the total concentration of higher alkanes at each carbon number at two different sites in China, allowing us to take into account SOA contributions from all isomers for higher alkanes. We found that higher alkanes account for significant fractions of SOA formation at the two sites. The contributions are comparable to or even higher than single-ring aromatics, the most-recognized SOA precursors in urban air.
Cited articles
Akimoto, H., Mori, Y., Sasaki, K., Nakanishi, H., Ohizumi, T., and Itano, Y.: Analysis of monitoring data of ground-level ozone in Japan for long-term trend during 1990–2010: Causes of temporal and spatial variation, Atmos. Environ., 102, 302–310, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.12.001, 2015.
Altshuller, A. P. and Lefohn, A. S.: Background ozone in the planetary boundary layer over the United States, J. Air Waste Manage., 46, 134–141, https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1996.10467445, 1996.
Auvray, M. and Bey, I.: Long-range transport to Europe: Seasonal variations and implications for the European ozone budget, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 110, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005503, 2005.
Berlin, S. R., Langford, A. O., Estes, M., Dong, M., and Parrish, D. D.: Magnitude, decadal changes, and impact of regional background ozone transported into the Greater Houston, Texas, area, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 13985–13992, https://doi.org/10.1021/es4037644, 2013.
Breiman, L.: Random forests, Mach. Learn., 45, 5–32, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010933404324, 2001.
Brönnimann, S., Schuepbach, E., Zanis, P., Buchmann, B., and Wanner, H.: A climatology of regional background ozone at different elevations in Switzerland (1992–1998), Atmos. Environ., 34, 5191–5198, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00193-X, 2000.
Chan, C. Y., Chan, L. Y., and Harris, J. M.: Urban and background ozone trend in 1984–1999 at subtropical Hong Kong, South China, Ozone-Sci. Eng., 25, 513–522, https://doi.org/10.1080/01919510390481829, 2003.
Chan, E. and Vet, R. J.: Baseline levels and trends of ground level ozone in Canada and the United States, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 8629–8647, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-8629-2010, 2010.
Chen, J.: Spatial and temporal variation of ozone concentration and its influencing factors from 2017 to 2020 in Northeast China, M.S. theses, Harbin Normal University, 40 pp., 2024.
Chen, W., Guenther, A. B., Shao, M., Yuan, B., Jia, S., Mao, J., Yan, F., Krishnan, P., and Wang, X.: Assessment of background ozone concentrations in China and implications for using region-specific volatile organic compounds emission abatement to mitigate air pollution, Environ. Pollut., 305, 119254, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119254, 2022.
Chen, X.: Analysis of total ozone distribution and its influencing factors in western China based on satellite remote sensing, M.S. theses, Northwest Normal University, 55 pp., 2020.
Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Crawford, J. H., Diskin, G. S., Weinheimer, A. J., and Fried, A.: Estimator of surface ozone using formaldehyde and carbon monoxide concentrations over the eastern United States in summer, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 123, 7642–7655, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JD028452, 2018.
Collins, W. J., Derwent, R. G., Garnier, B., Johnson, C. E., Sanderson, M. G., and Stevenson, D. S.: Effect of stratosphere–troposphere exchange on the future tropospheric ozone trend, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 108, 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JD002617, 2003.
Colombi, N. K., Jacob, D. J., Yang, L. H., Zhai, S., Shah, V., Grange, S. K., Yantosca, R. M., Kim, S., and Liao, H.: Why is ozone in South Korea and the Seoul metropolitan area so high and increasing?, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4031–4044, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4031-2023, 2023.
Cooper, O. R., Gao, R. S., Tarasick, D., Leblanc, T., and Sweeney, C.: Long-term ozone trends at rural ozone monitoring sites across the United States, 1990–2010, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 117, 1–24, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JD018261, 2012.
Crutzen, P. J.: Photochemical reactions initiated by and influencing ozone in unpolluted tropospheric air, Tellus, 26, 47–57, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v26i1-2.9736, 1974.
Cynthia Lin, C., Jacob, D. J., Munger, J. W., and Fiore, A. M.: Increasing background ozone in surface air over the United States, Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 3465–3468, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000GL011762, 2000.
Dentener, F., Keating, T., and Akimoto, H. (Eds.): Hemispheric transport of air pollution 2010: Part A: Ozone and particulate matter, United Nations, New York and Geneva, 278 pp., ISBN 9789211170436, 2010.
Ding, A. and Wang, T.: Influence of stratosphere-to-troposphere exchange on the seasonal cycle of surface ozone at Mount Waliguan in western China, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, 1–4, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL024760, 2006.
Dolwick, P., Akhtar, F., Baker, K. R., Possiel, N., Simon, H., and Tonnesen, G.: Comparison of background ozone estimates over the western United States based on two separate model methodologies, Atmos. Environ., 109, 282–296, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.01.005, 2015.
Duc, H., Azzi, M., Wahid, H., and Ha, Q. P.: Background ozone level in the Sydney Basin: Assessment and trend analysis, Int. J. Climatol., 33, 2298–2308, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.3595, 2013.
Emery, C., Jung, J., Downey, N., Johnson, J., Jimenez, M., Yarwood, G., and Morris, R.: Regional and global modeling estimates of Policy Relevant Background ozone over the United States, Atmos. Environ., 47, 206–217, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.11.012, 2012.
European Parliament and Council: Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, 2008/50/EC, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/50/oj (last access: 1 August 2025), 2008.
Fiore, A., Jacob, D. J., Liu, H., Yantosca, R. M., Fairlie, T. D., and Li, Q.: Variability in surface ozone background over the United States: Implications for air quality policy, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 108, 1–19, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD003855, 2003.
Fiore, A. M., Jacob, D. J., Bey, I., Yantosca, R. M., Field, B. D., Fusco, A. C., and Wilkinson, J. G.: Background ozone over the United States in summer: Origin, trend, and contribution to pollution episodes, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 107, 1–25, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000982, 2002a.
Fiore, A. M., Jacob, D. J., Field, B. D., Streets, D. G., Fernandes, S. D., and Jang, C.: Linking ozone pollution and climate change: The case for controlling methane, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 25-1–25-4, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002GL015601, 2002b.
Fiore, A. M., Oberman, J. T., Lin, M. Y., Zhang, L., Clifton, O. E., Jacob, D. J., Naik, V., Horowitz, L. W., Pinto, J. P., and Milly, G. P.: Estimating North American background ozone in U.S. surface air with two independent global models: Variability, uncertainties, and recommendations, Atmos. Environ., 96, 284–300, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.07.045, 2014.
Galbally, I. E., Miller, A. J., Hoy, R. D., Ahmet, S., Joynt, R. C., and Attwood, D.: Surface ozone at rural sites in the Latrobe Valley and Cape Grim, Australia, Atmos. Environ., 20, 2403–2422, https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(86)90071-5, 1986.
Gao, J., Wang, T., Ding, A., and Liu, C.: Observational study of ozone and carbon monoxide at the summit of Mount Tai (1534 m a.s.l.) in central-eastern China, Atmos. Environ., 39, 4779–4791, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.04.030, 2005.
Geng, G., Liu, Y., Liu, Y., Liu, S., Cheng, J., Yan, L., Wu, N., Hu, H., Tong, D., Zheng, B., Yin, Z., He, K., and Zhang, Q.: Efficacy of China's clean air actions to tackle PM2.5 pollution between 2013 and 2020, Nat. Geosci., 17, 987–994, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01540-z, 2024.
Ghim, Y. S. and Chang, Y.: Characteristics of ground-level ozone distributions in Korea for the period of 1990–1995, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 105, 8877–8890, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JD901179, 2000.
Griffiths, P. T., Murray, L. T., Zeng, G., Shin, Y. M., Abraham, N. L., Archibald, A. T., Deushi, M., Emmons, L. K., Galbally, I. E., Hassler, B., Horowitz, L. W., Keeble, J., Liu, J., Moeini, O., Naik, V., O'Connor, F. M., Oshima, N., Tarasick, D., Tilmes, S., Turnock, S. T., Wild, O., Young, P. J., and Zanis, P.: Tropospheric ozone in CMIP6 simulations, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4187–4218, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4187-2021, 2021.
Guo, J. J., Fiore, A. M., Murray, L. T., Jaffe, D. A., Schnell, J. L., Moore, C. T., and Milly, G. P.: Average versus high surface ozone levels over the continental USA: model bias, background influences, and interannual variability, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 12123–12140, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12123-2018, 2018.
Haagen-Smit, A. J.: Chemistry and physiology of Los Angeles Smog, Ind. Eng. Chem., 44, 1342–1346, https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50510a045, 1952.
Han, H., Liu, J., Yuan, H., Wang, T., Zhuang, B., and Zhang, X.: Foreign influences on tropospheric ozone over East Asia through global atmospheric transport, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 12495–12514, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12495-2019, 2019.
He, C., Mu, H., Yang, L., Wang, D., Di, Y., Ye, Z., Yi, J., Ke, B., Tian, Y., and Hong, S.: Spatial variation of surface ozone concentration during the warm season and its meteorological driving factors in China, Environm. Sci., 42, 4168–4179, https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.202009228, 2021.
He, C., Wu, Q., Li, B., Liu, J., Gong, X., and Zhang, L.: Surface ozone pollution in China: Trends, exposure risks, and drivers, Front. Public Health, 11, 1131753, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1131753, 2023.
Hirsch, A. I., Munger, J. W., Jacob, D. J., Horowitz, L.W., and Goldstein, A. H.: Seasonal variation of the ozone production efficiency per unit NOx at Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 101, 12659–12666, 1996.
Hogrefe, C., Liu, P., Pouliot, G., Mathur, R., Roselle, S., Flemming, J., Lin, M., and Park, R. J.: Impacts of different characterizations of large-scale background on simulated regional-scale ozone over the continental United States, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 3839–3864, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3839-2018, 2018.
Hosseinpour, F., Kumar, N., Tran, T., and Knipping, E.: Using machine learning to improve the estimate of U.S. background ozone, Atmos. Environ., 316, 120145, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120145, 2024.
Hu, C., Kang, P., Wu, K., Zhang, X., Wang, S., Wang, Z., Ouyang, Z., Zeng, S., and Wei, X.: Study of the spatial and temporal distribution of ozone and its influence factors over Sichuan Basin based on generalized additive model, Acta Scien. Circum., 39, 809–820, https://doi.org/10.13671/j.hjkxxb.2018.0444, 2019.
Huang, L., Zhao, X., Chen, C., Tan, J., Li, Y., Chen, H., Wang, Y., Li, L., Guenther, A., and Huang, H.: Uncertainties of biogenic VOC emissions caused by land cover data and implications on ozone mitigation strategies for the Yangtze River Delta region, Atmos. Environ., 337, 120765, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.120765, 2024.
Huang, M., Bowman, K. W., Carmichael, G. R., Lee, M., Chai, T., Spak, S. N., Henze, D. K., Darmenov, A. S., and da Silva, A. M.: Improved western U.S. background ozone estimates via constraining nonlocal and local source contributions using Aura TES and OMI observations, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 120, 3572–3592, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD022993, 2015.
Itano, Y., Bandow, H., Takenaka, N., Saitoh, Y., Asayama, A., and Fukuyama, J.: Impact of NOx reduction on long-term ozone trends in an urban atmosphere, Sci. Total Environ., 379, 46–55, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.01.079, 2007.
Jackson, R. B., Saunois, M., Martinez, A., Canadell, J. G., Yu, X., Li, M., Poulter, B., Raymond, P. A., Regnier, P., Ciais, P., Davis, S. J., and Patra, P. K.: Human activities now fuel two-thirds of global methane emissions, Environ. Res. Lett., 19, 101002, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad6463, 2024.
Jacob, D. J., Logan, J. A., and Murti, P. P.: Effect of rising Asian emissions on surface ozone in the United States, Geophys. Res. Lett., 26, 2175–2178, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GL900450, 1999.
Jaffe, D. A., Cooper, O. R., Fiore, A. M., Henderson, B. H., Tonnesen, G. S., Russell, A. G., Henze, D. K., Langford, A. O., Lin, M., and Moore, T.: Scientific assessment of background ozone over the U.S.: Implications for air quality management, Elementa-Sci. Anthrop., 6, 56, https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.309, 2018.
Jenkin, M. E.: Trends in ozone concentration distributions in the UK since 1990: Local, regional and global influences, Atmos. Environ., 42, 5434–5445, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.02.036, 2008.
Jolliffe, I.: Principal Component Analysis, in: Encyclopedia of statistics in behavioral science, edited by: Everitt, B. S. and Howell, D. C., John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., Chichester, 1580–1584, https://doi.org/10.1002/0470013192.bsa501, 2005.
Kalabokas, P. D., Viras, L. G., Bartzis, J. G., and Repapis, C. C.: Mediterranean rural ozone characteristics around the urban area of Athens, Atmos. Environ., 34, 5199–5208, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00298-3, 2000.
Kashinath, K., Mustafa, M., Albert, A., Wu, J., Jiang, C., Esmaeilzadeh, S., Azizzadenesheli, K., Wang, R., Chattopadhyay, A., Singh, A., Manepalli, A., Chirila, D., Yu, R., Walters, R., White, B., Xiao, H., Tchelepi, H. A., Marcus, P., Anandkumar, A., Hassanzadeh, P., and Prabhat: Physics-informed machine learning: Case studies for weather and climate modelling, Philos. T. R. Soc. A., 379, 20200093, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0093, 2021.
Kemball-Cook, S., Parrish, D., Ryerson, T., Nopmongcol, U., Johnson, J., Tai, E., and Yarwood, G.: Contributions of regional transport and local sources to ozone exceedances in Houston and Dallas: Comparison of results from a photochemical grid model to aircraft and surface measurements, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 114, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010248, 2009.
Kim, S.-W., Kim, K.-M., Jeong, Y., Seo, S., Park, Y., and Kim, J.: Changes in surface ozone in South Korea on diurnal to decadal timescales for the period of 2001–2021, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12867–12886, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12867-2023, 2023.
Kirschke, S., Bousquet, P., Ciais, P., Saunois, M., Canadell, J. G., Dlugokencky, E. J., Bergamaschi, P., Bergmann, D., Blake, D. R., Bruhwiler, L., Cameron-Smith, P., Castaldi, S., Chevallier, F., Feng, L., Fraser, A., Heimann, M., Hodson, E. L., Houweling, S., Josse, B., Fraser, P. J., Krummel, P. B., Lamarque, J. F., Langenfelds, R. L., Le Quere, C., Naik, V., O'Doherty, S., Palmer, P. I., Pison, I., Plummer, D., Poulter, B., Prinn, R. G., Rigby, M., Ringeval, B., Santini, M., Schmidt, M., Shindell, D. T., Simpson, I. J., Spahni, R., Steele, L. P., Strode, S. A., Sudo, K., Szopa, S., van der Werf, G. R., Voulgarakis, A., van Weele, M., Weiss, R. F., Williams, J. E., and Zeng, G.: Three decades of global methane sources and sinks, Nat. Geosci., 6, 813–823, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1955, 2013.
Koo, B., Chien, C., Tonnesen, G., Morris, R., Johnson, J., Sakulyanontvittaya, T., Piyachaturawat, P., and Yarwood, G.: Natural emissions for regional modeling of background ozone and particulate matter and impacts on emissions control strategies, Atmos. Environ., 44, 2372–2382, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.02.041, 2010.
Lam, Y. F. and Cheung, H. M.: Investigation of Policy Relevant Background (PRB) ozone in East Asia, Atmosphere-Basel, 13, 723, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13050723, 2022.
Langford, A. O., Senff, C. J., Banta, R. M., Hardesty, R. M., Alvarez II, R. J., Sandberg, S. P., and Darby, L. S.: Regional and local background ozone in Houston during Texas Air Quality Study 2006, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 114, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD011687, 2009.
Lassey, K. R., Lowe, D. C., and Manning, M. R.: The trend in atmospheric methane δ13C and implications for isotopic constraints on the global methane budget, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 14, 41–49, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GB900094, 2000.
Lee, H., Chang, L., Jaffe, D. A., Bak, J., Liu, X., Abad, G. G., Jo, H., Jo, Y., Lee, J., and Kim, C.: Ozone continues to increase in East Asia despite decreasing NO2: Causes and abatements, Remote Sens.-Basel, 13, 2177, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13112177, 2021.
Lee, H. and Park, R. J.: Factors determining the seasonal variation of ozone air quality in South Korea: Regional background versus domestic emission contributions, Environ. Pollut., 308, 119645, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119645, 2022.
Lee, Y. C., Shindell, D. T., Faluvegi, G., Wenig, M., Lam, Y. F., Ning, Z., Hao, S., and Lai, C. S.: Increase of ozone concentrations, its temperature sensitivity and the precursor factor in South China. Tellus B: Chem. Phy. Meteorol., 66, 23455, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v66.23455, 2014.
Lefohn, A. S., Emery, C., Shadwick, D., Wernli, H., Jung, J., and Oltmans, S. J.: Estimates of background surface ozone concentrations in the United States based on model-derived source apportionment, Atmos. Environ., 84, 275–288, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.11.033, 2014.
Lelieveld, J., Crutzen, P. J., and Dentener, F. J.: Changing concentration, lifetime and climate forcing of atmospheric methane, Tellus B, 50, 128–150, https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0889.1998.t01-1-00002.x, 1998.
Li, J., Yang, W., Wang, Z., Chen, H., Hu, B., Li, J., Sun, Y., Fu, P., and Zhang, Y.: Modeling study of surface ozone source-receptor relationships in East Asia, Atmos. Res., 167, 77–88, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2015.07.010, 2016.
Li, K., Jacob, D. J., Liao, H., Shen, L., Zhang, Q., and Bates, K. H.: Anthropogenic drivers of 2013–2017 trends in summer surface ozone in China, P. Natl. A. Sci. USA, 116, 422–427, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1812168116, 2019.
Li, N., He, Q., Greenberg, J., Guenther, A., Li, J., Cao, J., Wang, J., Liao, H., Wang, Q., and Zhang, Q.: Impacts of biogenic and anthropogenic emissions on summertime ozone formation in the Guanzhong Basin, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 7489–7507, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7489-2018, 2018.
Li, X., Liu, J., Mauzerall, D. L., Emmons, L. K., Walters, S., Horowitz, L. W., and Tao, S.: Effects of trans-Eurasian transport of air pollutants on surface ozone concentrations over western China, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 119, 12338–12354, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD021936, 2014.
Li, Y., Lau, A. K., Fung, J. C., Zheng, J. Y., Zhong, L. J., and Louie, P. K. K.: Ozone source apportionment (OSAT) to differentiate local regional and super-regional source contributions in the Pearl River Delta region, China, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 117, 1–18, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD017340, 2012.
Liu, H., Zhang, M., and Han, X.: A review of surface ozone source apportionment in China, Atmos. Oceanic Sci. Lett., 13, 470–484, https://doi.org/10.1080/16742834.2020.1768025, 2020.
Liu, N., Lin, W., Ma, J., Xu, W., and Xu, X.: Seasonal variation in surface ozone and its regional characteristics at global atmosphere watch stations in China, J. Environ. Sci., 77, 291–302, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2018.08.009, 2019.
Liu, N., Li, X., Ren, W., and Wan, R.: Influence of East Asian summer monsoon on ozone transport in eastern China, Trans. Atmos. Sci., 44, 261–269, https://doi.org/10.13878/j.cnki.dqkxxb.20200706001, 2021 (in Chinese).
Liu, S. C., Trainer, M., Fehsenfeld, F. C., Parrish, D. D., Williams, E. J., Fahey, D. W., Hübler, G., and Murphy, P. C.: Ozone production in the rural troposphere and the implications for regional and global ozone distributions, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 92, 4191–4207, https://doi.org/10.1029/JD092iD04p04191, 1987.
Lu, X., Zhang, L., Chen, Y., Zhou, M., Zheng, B., Li, K., Liu, Y., Lin, J., Fu, T.-M., and Zhang, Q.: Exploring 2016–2017 surface ozone pollution over China: source contributions and meteorological influences, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 8339–8361, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-8339-2019, 2019a.
Lu, X., Zhang, L., and Shen, L.: Meteorology and climate influences on tropospheric ozone: a review of natural sources, chemistry, and transport patterns, Curr. Pollut. Rep., 5, 238–260, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-019-00118-3, 2019b.
Luo, Y., Peng, Q., Jin, H., Zhang, Q., Yin, W., Zeng, Y., Li, W., and Xiao, T.: The characteristics of ozone concentration of Hengyang and Heng Mountain background station, Environmental Monitoring in China, 35, 100–108, https://doi.org/10.19316/j.issn.1002-6002.2019.03.14, 2019.
Luo, Y., Zhao, T., Meng, K., Hu, J., Yang, Q., Bai, Y., Yang, K., Fu, W., Tan, C., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., and Li, Z.: A mechanism of stratospheric O3 intrusion into the atmospheric environment: a case study of the North China Plain, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7013–7026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7013-2024, 2024.
Ma, J., Zheng, X., and Xu, X.: Comment on “Why does surface ozone peak in summertime at Waliguan?” by Bin Zhu et al., Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, 1–2, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL021683, 2005.
Ma, J., Yan, Y., Kong, S., Bai, Y., Zhou, Y., Gu, X., Song, A., and Tong Z.: Effectiveness of inter-regional collaborative emission reduction for ozone mitigation under local-dominated and transport-affected synoptic patterns, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res., 31, 51774–51789, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34656-1, 2024.
Ma, X., Huang, J., Hegglin, M. I., Jöckel, P., and Zhao, T.: Causes of growing middle-to-upper tropospheric ozone over the northwest Pacific region, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 943–958, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-943-2025, 2025.
Ma, Z., Xu, J., Quan, W., Zhang, Z., Lin, W., and Xu, X.: Significant increase of surface ozone at a rural site, north of eastern China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 3969–3977, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-3969-2016, 2016.
Mahmud, A., Tyree, M., Cayan, D., Motallebi, N., and Kleeman, M. J.: Statistical downscaling of climate change impacts on ozone concentrations in California, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 113, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD009534, 2008.
McDonald-Buller, E. C., Allen, D. T., Brown, N., Jacob, D. J., Jaffe, D., Kolb, C. E., Lefohn, A. S., Oltmans, S., Parrish, D. D., Yarwood, G., and Zhang, L.: Establishing Policy Relevant Background (PRB) ozone concentrations in the United States, Environ. Sci. Technol., 45, 9484–9497, https://doi.org/10.1021/es2022818, 2011.
Miranda, A., Silveira, C., Ferreira, J., Monteiro, A., Lopes, D., Relvas, H., Borrego, C., and Roebeling, P.: Current air quality plans in Europe designed to support air quality management policies, Atmos. Pollut. Res., 6, 434–443, https://doi.org/10.5094/APR.2015.048, 2015.
Næss, T.: The Effectiveness of the EU's ozone policy, Int. Environ. Agreem.-P, 4, 47–63, https://doi.org/10.1023/B:INEA.0000019051.06627.2e, 2004.
Nagashima, T., Ohara, T., Sudo, K., and Akimoto, H.: The relative importance of various source regions on East Asian surface ozone, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 11305–11322, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-11305-2010, 2010.
Naja, M., Akimoto, H., and Staehelin, J.: Ozone in background and photochemically aged air over central Europe: Analysis of long-term ozonesonde data from Hohenpeissenberg and Payerne, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 108, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JD002477, 2003.
Ni, R., Lin, J., Yan, Y., and Lin, W.: Foreign and domestic contributions to springtime ozone over China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 11447–11469, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-11447-2018, 2018.
Nie, H., Niu, S., Wang, Z., Tang, J., and Zhao, Y.: Characteristic analysis of surface ozone over clean area in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Journal of Arid Meteorology, 22, 1–7, 2004.
Nielsen-Gammon, J. W., Tobin, J., McNeel, A., and Li, G.: A conceptual model for eight-hour ozone exceedances in Houston, Texas Part I: Background ozone levels in eastern Texas, Center for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Environment, Texas A&M University, Open File Rep., 52 pp., https://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/158250 (last access: 4 November 2025), 2005.
Nopmongcol, U., Jung, J., Kumar, N., and Yarwood, G.: Changes in US background ozone due to global anthropogenic emissions from 1970 to 2020, Atmos. Environ., 140, 446–455, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.06.026, 2016.
Ou-Yang, C., Hsieh, H., Wang, S., Lin, N., Lee, C., Sheu, G., and Wang, J.: Influence of Asian continental outflow on the regional background ozone level in northern South China Sea, Atmos. Environ., 78, 144–153, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.07.040, 2013.
Ozone Pollution Control Committee of Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences: China blue book on prevention and control of atmospheric ozone pollution (2020), Science Press, Chinese mainland, 121 pp., ISBN 9787030716644, 2022.
Ozone Pollution Control Committee of Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences: China blue book on prevention and control of atmospheric ozone pollution (2023), Science Press, Chinese mainland, 164 pp., ISBN 9787030781840, 2024.
Parrish, D. D. and Ennis, C. A.: Estimating background contributions and US anthropogenic enhancements to maximum ozone concentrations in the northern US, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 12587–12605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12587-2019, 2019.
Parrish, D. D., Millet, D. B., and Goldstein, A. H.: Increasing ozone in marine boundary layer inflow at the west coasts of North America and Europe, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 1303–1323, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-1303-2009, 2009.
Pfister, G. G., Walters, S., Emmons, L. K., Edwards, D. P., and Avise, J.: Quantifying the contribution of inflow on surface ozone over California during summer 2008, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 118, 12282–12299, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JD020336, 2013.
Prather, M. J., Holmes, C. D., and Hsu, J.: Reactive greenhouse gas scenarios: Systematic exploration of uncertainties and the role of atmospheric chemistry, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L09803, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012gl051440, 2012.
Qin, L., Han, X., Zhang, M., and Liu, J.: Numerical simulation analysis on ozone source apportionment in the Yinchuan metropolitan area in summer, Climatic Environ. Res., 28, 183–194, https://doi.org/10.3878/j.issn.1006-9585.2022.21186, 2023 (in Chinese).
Reid, N., Yap, D., and Bloxam, R.: The potential role of background ozone on current and emerging air issues: An overview, Air Qual. Atmos. Hlth., 1, 19–29, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-008-0005-z, 2008.
Riley, M. L., Jiang, N., Duc, H. N., and Azzi, M.: Long-term trends in inferred continental background ozone in eastern Australia, Atmosphere-Basel, 14, 1104, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071104, 2023.
Rizos, K., Meleti, C., Kouvarakis, G., Mihalopoulos, N., and Melas, D.: Determination of the background pollution in the eastern Mediterranean applying a statistical clustering technique, Atmos. Environ., 276, 119067, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119067, 2022.
Rodrigues, V., Gama, C., Ascenso, A., Oliveira, K., Coelho, S., Monteiro, A., Hayes, E., and Lopes, M.: Assessing air pollution in European cities to support a citizen centered approach to air quality management, Sci. Total Environ., 799, 149311, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149311, 2021.
Sahu, S. K., Liu, S., Liu, S., Ding, D., and Xing, J.: Ozone pollution in China: Background and transboundary contributions to ozone concentration & related health effects across the country, Sci. Total Environ., 761, 144131, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144131, 2021.
Scheel, H. E., Areskoug, H., Geiss, H., Gomiscek, B., Granby, K., Haszpra, L., Klasinc, L., Kley, D., Laurila, T., Lindskog, A., Roemer, M., Schmitt, R., Simmonds, P., Solberg, S., and Toupance, G.: On the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of lower-troposphere ozone over Europe, J. Atmos. Chem., 28, 11–28, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005882922435, 1997.
Shen, J., He, L., Cheng, P., Xie, M., Jiang, M., Chen, D., and Zhou, G.: Characteristics of ozone concentration variation in the northern background site of the Pearl River Delta, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 28, 2006–2011, https://doi.org/10.16258/j.cnki.1674--5906.2019.10.010, 2019.
Shin, H. J., Cho, K. M., Han, J. S., Kim, J. S., and Kim, Y. P.: The effects of precursor emission and background concentration changes on the surface ozone concentration over Korea, Aerosol Air Qual. Res., 12, 93–103, https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2011.09.0141, 2012.
Sillman, S. and Samson, P. J.: Impact of temperature on oxidant photochemistry in urban, polluted rural and remote environments, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 100, 11497–11508, https://doi.org/10.1029/94JD02146, 1995.
Skipper, T. N., Hu, Y., Odman, M. T., Henderson, B. H., Hogrefe, C., Mathur, R., and Russell, A. G.: Estimating US background ozone using data fusion, Environ. Sci. Technol., 55, 4504–4512, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c08625, 2021.
Sonwani, S., Saxena, P., and Kulshrestha, U.: Role of global warming and plant signaling in BVOC emissions, in: Plant responses to air pollution, edited by: Kulshrestha, U. and Saxena, P., Springer, Singapore, 45–57, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1201-3_5, 2016.
Steiner, A. L., Davis, A. J., Sillman, S., Owen, R. C., Michalak, A. M., and Fiore, A. M.: Observed suppression of ozone formation at extremely high temperatures due to chemical and biophysical feedbacks, P. Natl. A. Sci. USA, 107, 19685–19690, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1008336107, 2010.
Su, B.: Characteristics and impact factors of O3 concentrations in mountain background region of East China, Environ. Sci., 34, 2519–2525, https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.2013.07.023, 2013.
Sudo, K., Takahashi, M., and Akimoto, H.: Future changes in stratosphere–troposphere exchange and their impacts on future tropospheric ozone simulations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, 1–4, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018526, 2003.
Sun, L., Xue, L., Wang, T., Gao, J., Ding, A., Cooper, O. R., Lin, M., Xu, P., Wang, Z., Wang, X., Wen, L., Zhu, Y., Chen, T., Yang, L., Wang, Y., Chen, J., and Wang, W.: Significant increase of summertime ozone at Mount Tai in Central Eastern China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 10637–10650, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-10637-2016, 2016.
Sun, Z., Tan, J., Wang, F., Li, R., Zhang, X., Liao, J., Wang, Y., Huang, L., Zhang, K., Fu, J. S., and Li, L.: Regional background ozone estimation for China through data fusion of observation and simulation, Sci. Total Environ., 912, 169411, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169411, 2024.
Sunwoo, Y., Carmichael, G. R., and Ueda, H.: Characteristics of background surface ozone in Japan, Atmos. Environ., 28, 25–37, https://doi.org/10.1016/1352-2310(94)90020-5, 1994.
Thompson, T. M.: Background ozone: Challenges in science and policy, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, CRS Rep. R45482, 13 pp., https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45482 (last access: 4 November 2025), 2019.
Tsutsumi, Y., Zaizen, Y., and Makino, Y.: Tropospheric ozone measurement at the top of Mt. Fuji, Geophys. Res. Lett., 21, 1727–1730, https://doi.org/10.1029/94GL01107, 1994.
U.S. EPA: Air quality criteria for ozone and related photochemical oxidants (final report, 2006), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-05/004aF-cF, https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm?deid=149923 (last access: 4 November 2025), 2006.
U.S. EPA: Review of the national ambient air quality standards for ozone: Policy assessment of scientific and technical information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, EPA-452/R-07-003, https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P10083VX.TXT (last access: 4 November 2025), 2007.
U.S. EPA: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40: Protection of Environment – Chapter I (Environmental Protection Agency), Part 53: Ambient air monitoring reference and equivalent methods, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/part-53 (last access: 1 August 2025), 2011.
Valdes, P. J., Beerling, D. J., and Johnson, C. E.: The ice age methane budget, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L02704, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL021004, 2005.
Vecchi, R. and Valli, G.: Ozone assessment in the southern part of the Alps, Atmos. Environ., 33, 97–109, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(98)00133-2, 1998.
Vingarzan, R.: A review of surface ozone background levels and trends, Atmos. Environ., 38, 3431–3442, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.03.030, 2004.
Volz, A. and Kley, D.: Evaluation of the Montsouris series of ozone measurements made in the nineteenth century, Nature, 332, 240–242, https://doi.org/10.1038/332240a0, 1988.
Wang, F. T., Zhang, K., Xue, J., Huang, L., Wang, Y. J., Chen, H., Wang, S. Y., Fu, J. S., and Li, L.: Understanding regional background ozone by multiple methods: A case study in the Shandong region, China, 2018–2020, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 127, e2022JD036809, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JD036809, 2022a.
Wang, H., Jacob, D. J., Le Sager, P., Streets, D. G., Park, R. J., Gilliland, A. B., and van Donkelaar, A.: Surface ozone background in the United States: Canadian and Mexican pollution influences, Atmos. Environ., 43, 1310–1319, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.11.036, 2009a.
Wang, T., Xue, L., Feng, Z., Dai, J., Zhang, Y., and Tan, Y.: Ground-level ozone pollution in China: a synthesis of recent findings on influencing factors and impacts, Environ. Res. Lett., 17, 063003, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac69fe, 2022b.
Wang, T., Wei, X. L., Ding, A. J., Poon, C. N., Lam, K. S., Li, Y. S., Chan, L. Y., and Anson, M.: Increasing surface ozone concentrations in the background atmosphere of Southern China, 1994–2007, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 6217–6227, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-6217-2009, 2009b.
Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Hao, J., and Luo, M.: Seasonal and spatial variability of surface ozone over China: contributions from background and domestic pollution, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 3511–3525, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3511-2011, 2011.
Wang, Y., Zhao, Y., Liu, Y., Jiang, Y., Zheng, B., Xing, J., Liu, Y., Wang, S., and Nielsen, C. P.: Sustained emission reductions have restrained the ozone pollution over China, Nat. Geosci., 16, 967–974, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01284-2, 2023.
West, J. J. and Fiore, A. M.: Management of tropospheric ozone by reducing methane emissions, Environ. Sci. Technol., 39, 4685–4691, https://doi.org/10.1021/es048629f, 2005.
Wilson, R. C., Fleming, Z. L., Monks, P. S., Clain, G., Henne, S., Konovalov, I. B., Szopa, S., and Menut, L.: Have primary emission reduction measures reduced ozone across Europe? An analysis of European rural background ozone trends 1996–2005, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 437–454, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-437-2012, 2012.
Wu, L., Xue, L., and Wang, W.: Review on the observation-based methods for ozone air pollution research, Journal of Earth Environment, 8, 479–491, https://doi.org/10.7515/JEE201706001, 2017.
Wu, S., Mickley, L. J., Jacob, D. J., Rind, D., and Streets, D. G.: Effects of 2000–2050 changes in climate and emissions on global tropospheric ozone and the policy-relevant background surface ozone in the United States, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 113, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD009639, 2008.
Xie, M., Shu, L., Wang, T., Liu, Q., Gao, D., Li, S., Zhuang, B., Han, Y., Li, M., and Chen, P.: Natural emissions under future climate condition and their effects on surface ozone in the Yangtze River Delta region, China, Atmos. Environ., 150, 162–180, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.11.053, 2017.
Xie, W., Xing, Q., Xie, D., Wu, X., Hu, S., and Xu, W.: Pollution characteristics of ozone and its precursors in background region of Hainan Province, Environm. Sci., 43, 5407–5420, https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.202201027, 2022.
Xu, J., Ma, J. Z., Zhang, X. L., Xu, X. B., Xu, X. F., Lin, W. L., Wang, Y., Meng, W., and Ma, Z. Q.: Measurements of ozone and its precursors in Beijing during summertime: impact of urban plumes on ozone pollution in downwind rural areas, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 12241–12252, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12241-2011, 2011.
Xu, W., Lin, W., Xu, X., Tang, J., Huang, J., Wu, H., and Zhang, X.: Long-term trends of surface ozone and its influencing factors at the Mt Waliguan GAW station, China – Part 1: Overall trends and characteristics, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 6191–6205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6191-2016, 2016.
Xu, W., Xu, X., Lin, M., Lin, W., Tarasick, D., Tang, J., Ma, J., and Zheng, X.: Long-term trends of surface ozone and its influencing factors at the Mt Waliguan GAW station, China – Part 2: The roles of anthropogenic emissions and climate variability, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 773–798, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-773-2018, 2018.
Xu, X.: Recent advances in studies of ozone pollution and impacts in China: a short review, Curr. Opin. Env. Sci. Hl., 19, 100225, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2020.100225, 2021.
Xu, X., Zhang, T., and Su, Y.: Temporal variations and trend of ground-level ozone based on long-term measurements in Windsor, Canada, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 7335–7345, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7335-2019, 2019.
Xu, X., Lin, W., Xu, W., Jin, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, G., Zhang, X., Ma, Z., Dong, Y., Ma, Q., Yu, D., Li, Z., Wang, D., and Zhao, H.: Long-term changes of regional ozone in China: Implications for human health and ecosystem impacts, Elementa-Sci. Anthrop., 8, 13, https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.409, 2020.
Xue, L. K., Wang, T., Zhang, J. M., Zhang, X. C., Deliger, Poon, C. N., Ding, A. J., Zhou, X. H., Wu, W. S., Tang, J., Zhang, Q. Z., and Wang, W. X.: Source of surface ozone and reactive nitrogen speciation at Mount Waliguan in western China: New insights from the 2006 summer study, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 116, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JD014735, 2011.
Yamaji, K., Ohara, T., Uno, I., Tanimoto, H., Kurokawa, J., and Akimoto, H.: Analysis of the seasonal variation of ozone in the boundary layer in East Asia using the Community Multi-scale Air Quality model: What controls surface ozone levels over Japan?, Atmos. Environ., 40, 1856–1868, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.10.067, 2006.
Yan, Q., Wang, Y., Cheng, Y., and Li, J.: Summertime clean-background ozone concentrations derived from ozone precursor relationships are lower than previous estimates in the southeast United States, Environ. Sci. Technol., 55, 12852–12861, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c03035, 2021.
Yang, L., Luo, H., Yuan, Z., Zheng, J., Huang, Z., Li, C., Lin, X., Louie, P. K. K., Chen, D., and Bian, Y.: Quantitative impacts of meteorology and precursor emission changes on the long-term trend of ambient ozone over the Pearl River Delta, China, and implications for ozone control strategy, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 12901–12916, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12901-2019, 2019.
Ye, X., Zhang, L., Wang, X., Lu, X., Jiang, Z., Lu, N., Li, D., and Xu, J.: Spatial and temporal variations of surface background ozone in China analyzed with the grid-stretching capability of GEOS-Chem high performance, Sci. Total Environ., 914, 169909, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169909, 2024.
Yeo, M. J. and Kim, Y. P.: Long-term trends of surface ozone in Korea, J. Clean. Prod., 294, 125352, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125352, 2021.
Zeng, P., Lyu, X. P., Guo, H., Cheng, H. R., Jiang, F., Pan, W. Z., Wang, Z. W., Liang, S. W., and Hu, Y. Q.: Causes of ozone pollution in summer in Wuhan, central China, Environ. Pollut., 241, 852–861, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.042, 2018.
Zhang, L., Jacob, D. J., Downey, N. V., Wood, D. A., Blewitt, D., Carouge, C. C., van Donkelaar, A., Jones, D. B. A., Murray, L. T., and Wang, Y.: Improved estimate of the policy-relevant background ozone in the United States using the GEOS-Chem global model with 1/2° × 2/3° horizontal resolution over North America, Atmos. Environ., 45, 6769–6776, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.07.054, 2011.
Zhang, Y., Jin, J., Yan, P., Tang, J., Fang, S., Lin, W., Lou, M., Liang, M., Zhou, Q., Jing, J., Li, Y., Jia, X., and Lyu, S.: Long-term variations of major atmospheric compositions observed at the background stations in three key areas of China, Adv. Clim. Change Res., 11, 370–380, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2020.11.005, 2020.
Zohdirad, H., Montazeri Namin, M., Ashrafi, K., Aksoyoglu, S., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Temporal variations, regional contribution, and cluster analyses of ozone and NOx in a middle eastern megacity during summertime over 2017–2019, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res., 29, 16233–16249, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14923-1, 2022.
Short summary
Background O3 forms the baseline level of O3 pollution, even without local human activities. This review examines how background O3 is defined and estimated, revealing significant variations across China, with higher level in the Northwest and lower in the Northeast region. Globally, China’s background O3 levels are medium-to-high and rising. The study calls for integrated estimation methods, international collaboration, and research on climate-ozone links to improve air quality strategies.
Background O3 forms the baseline level of O3 pollution, even without local human activities....
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint