Articles | Volume 25, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-16817-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-16817-2025
Research article
 | 
26 Nov 2025
Research article |  | 26 Nov 2025

Photochemical processing of dissolved organic matter in fog water: oxidation and functionalization pathways driving organic aerosol evolution

Wenqing Jiang, Lijuan Li, Lu Yu, Hwajin Kim, Yele Sun, and Qi Zhang

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Cited articles

Allan, J. D., Bower, K. N., Coe, H., Boudries, H., Jayne, J. T., Canagaratna, M. R., Millet, D. B., Goldstein, A. H., Quinn, P. K., Weber, R. J., and Worsnop, D. R.: Submicron aerosol composition at Trinidad Head, California, during ITCT 2K2: Its relationship with gas phase volatile organic carbon and assessment of instrument performance, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 109, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD004208, 2004. 
Altieri, K. E., Turpin, B. J., and Seitzinger, S. P.: Composition of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Continental Precipitation Investigated by Ultra-High Resolution FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry, Environ. Sci. Technol., 43, 6950–6955, https://doi.org/10.1021/es9007849, 2009a. 
Altieri, K. E., Turpin, B. J., and Seitzinger, S. P.: Oligomers, organosulfates, and nitrooxy organosulfates in rainwater identified by ultra-high resolution electrospray ionization FT-ICR mass spectrometry, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 2533–2542, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-2533-2009, 2009b. 
Anastasio, C. and McGregor, K. G.: Chemistry of fog waters in California's Central Valley: 1. In situ photoformation of hydroxyl radical and singlet molecular oxygen, Atmos. Environ., 35, 1079–1089, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00281-8, 2001. 
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Short summary
We studied how sunlight changes natural organic matter in fog droplets and the tiny airborne particles formed after the water evaporation. Advanced analyses showed that sunlight makes this material more oxidized, nitrogen-enriched, chemically transformed, and different in light absorption and volatility. These sunlight-driven changes influence the particles’ behavior in the air, affecting air quality, climate, and how long they remain suspended in the atmosphere.
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