Articles | Volume 25, issue 14
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7959-2025
© 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-25-7959-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
25 Jul 2025
Research article |
| 25 Jul 2025
| 25 Jul 2025
Source-dependent optical properties and molecular characteristics of atmospheric brown carbon
Jinghao Zhai
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
Yin Zhang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Pengfei Liu
School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
Yujie Zhang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Antai Zhang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Yaling Zeng
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Baohua Cai
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Jingyi Zhang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Chunbo Xing
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Honglong Yang
Shenzhen National Climate Observatory, Meteorological Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen 518040, China
Xiaofei Wang
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
Jianhuai Ye
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Chen Wang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Tzung-May Fu
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Huizhong Shen
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Shu Tao
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risks, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Atmosphere and Climate of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen 518055, China
Related authors
Shao Shi, Jinghao Zhai, Xin Yang, Yechun Ruan, Yuanlong Huang, Xujian Chen, Antai Zhang, Jianhuai Ye, Guomao Zheng, Baohua Cai, Yaling Zeng, Yixiang Wang, Chunbo Xing, Yujie Zhang, Tzung-May Fu, Lei Zhu, Huizhong Shen, and Chen Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7001–7012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7001-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7001-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The determination of ions in the mass spectra of individual particles remains uncertain. We have developed a standard-free mass calibration algorithm applicable to more than 98 % of ambient particles. With our algorithm, ions with ~ 0.05 Th mass difference could be determined. Therefore, many more atmospheric species could be determined and involved in the source apportionment of aerosols, the study of chemical reaction mechanisms, and the analysis of single-particle mixing states.
Qianqian Gao, Shengqiang Zhu, Kaili Zhou, Jinghao Zhai, Shaodong Chen, Qihuang Wang, Shurong Wang, Jin Han, Xiaohui Lu, Hong Chen, Liwu Zhang, Lin Wang, Zimeng Wang, Xin Yang, Qi Ying, Hongliang Zhang, Jianmin Chen, and Xiaofei Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13049–13060, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13049-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13049-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Dust is a major source of atmospheric aerosols. Its chemical composition is often assumed to be similar to the parent soil. However, this assumption has not been rigorously verified. Dust aerosols are mainly generated by wind erosion, which may have some chemical selectivity. Mn, Cd and Pb were found to be highly enriched in fine-dust (PM2.5) aerosols. In addition, estimation of heavy metal emissions from dust generation by air quality models may have errors without using proper dust profiles.
Guangyuan Yu, Yan Zhang, Qian Wang, Zimin Han, Shenglan Jiang, Fan Yang, Xin Yang, and Cheng Huang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9497–9518, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9497-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9497-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
China has carried out staged low-sulfur fuel policies since 2017. This study simulated the changing spatiotemporal patterns of the impacts of ship emissions on PM2.5 from 2017 to 2021 based on the updated emission inventories and mapping of chemical species in the CMAQ (Community Multiscale Air Quality). Fuel policies caused evident relative changes in inorganic and organic components of the shipping-related PM2.5 over China’s port cities. The driving factors of the interannual, seasonal, and diurnal patterns were discussed.
Xiufeng Lian, Yongjiang Xu, Fengxian Liu, Long Peng, Xiaodong Hu, Guigang Tang, Xu Dao, Hui Guo, Liwei Wang, Bo Huang, Chunlei Cheng, Lei Li, Guohua Zhang, Xinhui Bi, Xiaofei Wang, Zhen Zhou, and Mei Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8891–8905, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8891-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8891-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we analyzed the mixing state and atmospheric chemical processes of Pb-rich single particles in Beijing. We focused on analyzing the differences in Pb-rich particles between the heating period and non-heating period, as well as the formation mechanism of lead nitrate after coal-to-gas conversion. Our results highlighted the improvement of Pb levels in the particulate as a result of coal-to-gas conversion.
Jinhong Xian, Zongxu Qiu, Huayan Rao, Zhigang Cheng, Xiaoling Lin, Chao Lu, Honglong Yang, and Ning Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8427–8441, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8427-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8427-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied how turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) changes in the lower atmosphere over Shenzhen, focusing on its role in weather and climate. Using advanced wind lidar technology, we tracked how TKE varies with height and across seasons. We found that heat near the ground drives turbulence, while wind effects become stronger higher up. Our results help improve weather and climate models by providing better data on how turbulence behaves in the atmosphere, aiding understanding of climate change.
Sijia Lou, Manish Shrivastava, Alexandre Albinet, Sophie Tomaz, Deepchandra Srivastava, Olivier Favez, Huizhong Shen, and Aijun Ding
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8163–8183, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8163-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8163-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), emitted from incomplete combustion, pose serious health risks due to their carcinogenic properties. This research demonstrates that viscous organic aerosol coatings significantly hinder PAH oxidation, with spatial distributions sensitive to the degradation modeling approach. Our findings emphasize the need for accurate modeling of PAH oxidation processes in risk assessments, considering both fresh and oxidized PAHs in evaluating human health risks.
Lifei Yin, Yiqi Zheng, Bin Bai, Bingqing Zhang, Rachel Silvern, Jingqiu Mao, Loretta Mickley, and Pengfei Liu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2872, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2872, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
This study improves GEOS-Chem simulations of PM2.5–temperature sensitivity and identifies key processes driving regional variability across the US. We show that chemical production dominates in the east, primary emissions in the west, and transport processes affect interannual variability. Results highlight the need for accurate temperature-dependent process representation in air quality models.
Xiaohu Jian, Xiaodong Zhang, Xinrui Liu, Kaijie Chen, Tao Huang, Shu Tao, Junfeng Liu, Hong Gao, Yuan Zhao, Ruiyu Zhugu, and Jianmin Ma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4251–4268, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4251-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4251-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We implemented a new global land-use-change (LUC) dataset from 1982 to 2010 into a compact earth system model and carried out extensive multiple model scenario simulations. Our result reveals that the global radiative forcing (RF) induced by LUC driving surface albedo change is −0.12 W m−2, 20 % lower than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and vegetation changes play a key role in RF evolution, which provides an important reference for the assessment of earth energy balance.
Tiangang Yuan, Tzung-May Fu, Aoxing Zhang, David H. Y. Yung, Jin Wu, Sien Li, and Amos P. K. Tai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4211–4232, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4211-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4211-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study utilizes a regional climate–air quality coupled model to first investigate the complex interaction between irrigation, climate and air quality in China. We found that large-scale irrigation practices reduce summertime surface ozone while raising secondary inorganic aerosol concentration via complicated physical and chemical processes. Our results emphasize the importance of making a tradeoff between air pollution controls and sustainable agricultural development.
Qianqian Gao, Guochao Chen, Xiaohui Lu, Jianmin Chen, Hongliang Zhang, and Xiaofei Wang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-596, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-596, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Numerous lakes are shrinking due to climate change and human activities, releasing pollutants from dried lakebeds as dust aerosols. The health risks remain unclear. Recently, Poyang and Dongting Lakes faced record droughts, exposing 99 % and 88 % of their areas. We show lakebed dust can raise PM10 to 637.5 μg/m³ and exceed non-carcinogenic (HQ=4.13) and Cr carcinogenic (~2.10×10⁻⁶) risk thresholds, posing growing health threats.
Jinhong Xian, Zongxu Qiu, Hongyan Luo, Yuanyuan Hu, Xiaoling Lin, Chao Lu, Yan Yang, Honglong Yang, and Ning Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 441–457, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-441-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-441-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The existing methods for observing turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget terms can only rely on ground-based towers. We have developed a new detection method that can directly observe and analyze the generation and dissipation mechanisms of turbulent energy at different heights in the vertical direction of the boundary layer. This research result will extend our study of TKE budget terms from near the ground to high altitude, providing a higher and more detailed perspective.
Li Fang, Jianbing Jin, Arjo Segers, Ke Li, Ji Xia, Wei Han, Baojie Li, Hai Xiang Lin, Lei Zhu, Song Liu, and Hong Liao
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 8267–8282, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-8267-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-8267-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Model evaluations against ground observations are usually unfair. The former simulates mean status over coarse grids and the latter the surrounding atmosphere. To solve this, we proposed the new land-use-based representative (LUBR) operator that considers intra-grid variance. The LUBR operator is validated to provide insights that align with satellite measurements. The results highlight the importance of considering fine-scale urban–rural differences when comparing models and observation.
Shao Shi, Jinghao Zhai, Xin Yang, Yechun Ruan, Yuanlong Huang, Xujian Chen, Antai Zhang, Jianhuai Ye, Guomao Zheng, Baohua Cai, Yaling Zeng, Yixiang Wang, Chunbo Xing, Yujie Zhang, Tzung-May Fu, Lei Zhu, Huizhong Shen, and Chen Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7001–7012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7001-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7001-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The determination of ions in the mass spectra of individual particles remains uncertain. We have developed a standard-free mass calibration algorithm applicable to more than 98 % of ambient particles. With our algorithm, ions with ~ 0.05 Th mass difference could be determined. Therefore, many more atmospheric species could be determined and involved in the source apportionment of aerosols, the study of chemical reaction mechanisms, and the analysis of single-particle mixing states.
Lu Zhang, Jin Li, Yaojie Li, Xinlei Liu, Zhihan Luo, Guofeng Shen, and Shu Tao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6323–6337, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6323-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6323-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) is related to radiative forcing and climate change. The BrC fraction from residential coal and biomass burning emissions, which were the major source of BrC, was characterized at the molecular level. The CHOS aromatic compounds explained higher light absorption efficiencies of biomass burning emissions compared to coal. The unique formulas of coal combustion aerosols were characterized by higher unsaturated compounds, and such information could be used for source appointment.
Jinhong Xian, Chao Lu, Xiaoling Lin, Honglong Yang, Ning Zhang, and Li Zhang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1837–1850, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1837-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1837-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Improving the monitoring capability of atmospheric turbulence can help unravel the mystery of turbulence. Based on some assumptions, scientists have proposed various detection methods. However, these assumptions limit their applicability. We abandoned these assumptions and proposed a more accurate method, revealing some new results. Our method can provide more accurate three-dimensional features of turbulence, which will have a huge driving effect on the development of turbulence.
Xiaodong Zhang, Ruiyu Zhugu, Xiaohu Jian, Xinrui Liu, Kaijie Chen, Shu Tao, Junfeng Liu, Hong Gao, Tao Huang, and Jianmin Ma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15629–15642, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15629-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15629-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
WRF-Chem modeling was conducted to assess impacts of Western Pacific Subtropical High Pressure (WPSH) on interannual fluctuations of O3 pollution in China. We find that, while precursor emissions dominated the long-term trend and magnitude of O3 from 1999 to 2017, WPSH determined interannual variation of summer O3. The response of O3 pollution to WPSH in major urban clusters depended on the proximity of these urban areas to WPSH. The results could help long-term O3 pollution mitigation planning.
Meghna Soni, Rolf Sander, Lokesh K. Sahu, Domenico Taraborrelli, Pengfei Liu, Ankit Patel, Imran A. Girach, Andrea Pozzer, Sachin S. Gunthe, and Narendra Ojha
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15165–15180, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15165-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15165-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study presents the implementation of comprehensive multiphase chlorine chemistry in the box model CAABA/MECCA. Simulations for contrasting urban environments of Asia and Europe highlight the significant impacts of chlorine on atmospheric oxidation capacity and composition. Chemical processes governing the production and loss of chlorine-containing species has been discussed. The updated chemical mechanism will be useful to interpret field measurements and for future air quality studies.
Qianqian Gao, Shengqiang Zhu, Kaili Zhou, Jinghao Zhai, Shaodong Chen, Qihuang Wang, Shurong Wang, Jin Han, Xiaohui Lu, Hong Chen, Liwu Zhang, Lin Wang, Zimeng Wang, Xin Yang, Qi Ying, Hongliang Zhang, Jianmin Chen, and Xiaofei Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13049–13060, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13049-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13049-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Dust is a major source of atmospheric aerosols. Its chemical composition is often assumed to be similar to the parent soil. However, this assumption has not been rigorously verified. Dust aerosols are mainly generated by wind erosion, which may have some chemical selectivity. Mn, Cd and Pb were found to be highly enriched in fine-dust (PM2.5) aerosols. In addition, estimation of heavy metal emissions from dust generation by air quality models may have errors without using proper dust profiles.
Lei Shu, Lei Zhu, Juseon Bak, Peter Zoogman, Han Han, Song Liu, Xicheng Li, Shuai Sun, Juan Li, Yuyang Chen, Dongchuan Pu, Xiaoxing Zuo, Weitao Fu, Xin Yang, and Tzung-May Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3731–3748, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3731-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3731-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We quantify the benefit of multisource observations (GEMS, LEO satellite, and surface) on ozone simulations in Asia. Data assimilation improves the monitoring of exceedance, spatial pattern, and diurnal variation of surface ozone, with the regional mean bias reduced from −2.1 to −0.2 ppbv. Data assimilation also better represents ozone vertical distributions in the middle to upper troposphere at low latitudes. Our results offer a valuable reference for future ozone simulations.
Amir H. Souri, Matthew S. Johnson, Glenn M. Wolfe, James H. Crawford, Alan Fried, Armin Wisthaler, William H. Brune, Donald R. Blake, Andrew J. Weinheimer, Tijl Verhoelst, Steven Compernolle, Gaia Pinardi, Corinne Vigouroux, Bavo Langerock, Sungyeon Choi, Lok Lamsal, Lei Zhu, Shuai Sun, Ronald C. Cohen, Kyung-Eun Min, Changmin Cho, Sajeev Philip, Xiong Liu, and Kelly Chance
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1963–1986, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1963-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1963-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We have rigorously characterized different sources of error in satellite-based HCHO / NO2 tropospheric columns, a widely used metric for diagnosing near-surface ozone sensitivity. Specifically, the errors were categorized/quantified into (i) an inherent chemistry error, (ii) the decoupled relationship between columns and the near-surface concentration, (iii) the spatial representativeness error of ground satellite pixels, and (iv) the satellite retrieval errors.
Ye Li, Ye Huang, Yunshan Zhang, Wei Du, Shanshan Zhang, Tianhao He, Yan Li, Yan Chen, Fangfang Ding, Lin Huang, Haibin Xia, Wenjun Meng, Min Liu, and Shu Tao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1091–1101, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1091-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1091-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed among the 12 initial POPs that should be prohibited or limited under the Stockholm Convention. They are widely present in the environment and pose a threat to human health and ecosystems. Emission estimation for them is essential to understand and evaluate their environment fate and associated health effect. This work developed 12 dioxin-like UP-PCBs from 66 sources from 1960 to 2019 in China.
Xun Li, Momei Qin, Lin Li, Kangjia Gong, Huizhong Shen, Jingyi Li, and Jianlin Hu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14799–14811, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14799-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14799-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Photochemical indicators have been widely used to predict O3–NOx–VOC sensitivity with given thresholds. Here we assessed the effectiveness of four indicators with a case study in the Yangtze River Delta, China. The overall performance was good, while some indicators showed inconsistencies with the O3 isopleths. The methodology used to determine the thresholds may produce uncertainties. These results would improve our understanding of the use of photochemical indicators in policy implications.
Tianlang Zhao, Jingqiu Mao, William R. Simpson, Isabelle De Smedt, Lei Zhu, Thomas F. Hanisco, Glenn M. Wolfe, Jason M. St. Clair, Gonzalo González Abad, Caroline R. Nowlan, Barbara Barletta, Simone Meinardi, Donald R. Blake, Eric C. Apel, and Rebecca S. Hornbrook
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7163–7178, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7163-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7163-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Monitoring formaldehyde (HCHO) can help us understand Arctic vegetation change. Here, we compare satellite data and model and show that Alaska summertime HCHO is largely dominated by a background from methane oxidation during mild wildfire years and is dominated by wildfire (largely from direct emission of fire) during strong fire years. Consequently, it is challenging to use satellite HCHO to study vegetation change in the Arctic region.
Xiaotian Xu, Xu Feng, Haipeng Lin, Peng Zhang, Shaojian Huang, Zhengcheng Song, Yiming Peng, Tzung-May Fu, and Yanxu Zhang
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 3845–3859, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3845-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3845-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Mercury is one of the most toxic pollutants in the environment, and wet deposition is a major process for atmospheric mercury to enter, causing ecological and human health risks. High-mercury wet deposition in the southeastern US has been a problem for many years. Here we employed a newly developed high-resolution WRF-GC model with the capability to simulate mercury to study this problem. We conclude that deep convection caused enhanced mercury wet deposition in the southeastern US.
Shixian Zhai, Daniel J. Jacob, Jared F. Brewer, Ke Li, Jonathan M. Moch, Jhoon Kim, Seoyoung Lee, Hyunkwang Lim, Hyun Chul Lee, Su Keun Kuk, Rokjin J. Park, Jaein I. Jeong, Xuan Wang, Pengfei Liu, Gan Luo, Fangqun Yu, Jun Meng, Randall V. Martin, Katherine R. Travis, Johnathan W. Hair, Bruce E. Anderson, Jack E. Dibb, Jose L. Jimenez, Pedro Campuzano-Jost, Benjamin A. Nault, Jung-Hun Woo, Younha Kim, Qiang Zhang, and Hong Liao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16775–16791, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16775-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16775-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Geostationary satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) has tremendous potential for monitoring surface fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Our study explored the physical relationship between AOD and PM2.5 by integrating data from surface networks, aircraft, and satellites with the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model. We quantitatively showed that accurate simulation of aerosol size distributions, boundary layer depths, relative humidity, coarse particles, and diurnal variations in PM2.5 are essential.
Wendong Ge, Junfeng Liu, Kan Yi, Jiayu Xu, Yizhou Zhang, Xiurong Hu, Jianmin Ma, Xuejun Wang, Yi Wan, Jianying Hu, Zhaobin Zhang, Xilong Wang, and Shu Tao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16093–16120, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16093-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16093-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Compared with the observations, the results incorporating detailed cloud aqueous-phase chemistry greatly reduced SO2 overestimation. The biases in annual simulated SO2 concentrations (or mixing ratios) decreased by 46 %, 41 %, and 22 % in Europe, the USA, and China, respectively. Fe chemistry and HOx chemistry contributed more to SO2 oxidation than N chemistry. Higher concentrations of soluble Fe and higher pH values could further enhance the oxidation capacity.
Xuan Wang, Daniel J. Jacob, William Downs, Shuting Zhai, Lei Zhu, Viral Shah, Christopher D. Holmes, Tomás Sherwen, Becky Alexander, Mathew J. Evans, Sebastian D. Eastham, J. Andrew Neuman, Patrick R. Veres, Theodore K. Koenig, Rainer Volkamer, L. Gregory Huey, Thomas J. Bannan, Carl J. Percival, Ben H. Lee, and Joel A. Thornton
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13973–13996, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13973-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13973-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Halogen radicals have a broad range of implications for tropospheric chemistry, air quality, and climate. We present a new mechanistic description and comprehensive simulation of tropospheric halogens in a global 3-D model and compare the model results with surface and aircraft measurements. We find that halogen chemistry decreases the global tropospheric burden of ozone by 11 %, NOx by 6 %, and OH by 4 %.
Lei Li, Chao Lu, Pak-Wai Chan, Zi-Juan Lan, Wen-Hai Zhang, Hong-Long Yang, and Hai-Chao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2021-579, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2021-579, 2021
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
The COVID-19 induced lockdown provided a time-window to study the impact of emission decrease on atmospheric environment. A 350 m meteorological tower in the Pearl River Delta recorded the vertical distribution of pollutants during the lockdown period. The observation confirmed that an extreme emission reduction, can reduce the concentrations of fine particles and the peak concentration of ozone at the same time, which had been taken as difficult to realize in the past in many regions.
Xu Feng, Haipeng Lin, Tzung-May Fu, Melissa P. Sulprizio, Jiawei Zhuang, Daniel J. Jacob, Heng Tian, Yaping Ma, Lijuan Zhang, Xiaolin Wang, Qi Chen, and Zhiwei Han
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 3741–3768, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-3741-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-3741-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
WRF-GC is an online coupling of the WRF meteorological model and GEOS-Chem chemical transport model for regional atmospheric chemistry and air quality modeling. In WRF-GC v2.0, we implemented the aerosol–radiation interactions and aerosol–cloud interactions, as well as the capability to nest multiple domains for high-resolution simulations based on the modular framework of WRF-GC v1.0. This allows the GEOS-Chem users to investigate the meteorology–atmospheric chemistry interactions.
Bingqing Zhang, Huizhong Shen, Pengfei Liu, Hongyu Guo, Yongtao Hu, Yilin Chen, Shaodong Xie, Ziyan Xi, T. Nash Skipper, and Armistead G. Russell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8341–8356, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8341-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8341-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Extended ground-level measurements are coupled with model simulations to comprehensively compare the aerosol acidity in China and the United States. Aerosols in China are significantly less acidic than those in the United States, with pH values 1–2 units higher. Higher aerosol mass concentrations and the abundance of ammonia and ammonium in China, compared to the United States, are leading causes of the pH difference between these two countries.
Yilin Chen, Huizhong Shen, Jennifer Kaiser, Yongtao Hu, Shannon L. Capps, Shunliu Zhao, Amir Hakami, Jhih-Shyang Shih, Gertrude K. Pavur, Matthew D. Turner, Daven K. Henze, Jaroslav Resler, Athanasios Nenes, Sergey L. Napelenok, Jesse O. Bash, Kathleen M. Fahey, Gregory R. Carmichael, Tianfeng Chai, Lieven Clarisse, Pierre-François Coheur, Martin Van Damme, and Armistead G. Russell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2067–2082, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2067-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2067-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Ammonia (NH3) emissions can exert adverse impacts on air quality and ecosystem well-being. NH3 emission inventories are viewed as highly uncertain. Here we optimize the NH3 emission estimates in the US using an air quality model and NH3 measurements from the IASI satellite instruments. The optimized NH3 emissions are much higher than the National Emissions Inventory estimates in April. The optimized NH3 emissions improved model performance when evaluated against independent observation.
Shaojie Song, Tao Ma, Yuzhong Zhang, Lu Shen, Pengfei Liu, Ke Li, Shixian Zhai, Haotian Zheng, Meng Gao, Jonathan M. Moch, Fengkui Duan, Kebin He, and Michael B. McElroy
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 457–481, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-457-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-457-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We simulate the atmospheric chemical processes of an important sulfur-containing organic aerosol species, which is produced by the reaction between sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde. We can predict its distribution on a global scale. We find it is particularly rich in East Asia. This aerosol species is more abundant in the colder season partly because of weaker sunlight.
Qiyuan Wang, Li Li, Jiamao Zhou, Jianhuai Ye, Wenting Dai, Huikun Liu, Yong Zhang, Renjian Zhang, Jie Tian, Yang Chen, Yunfei Wu, Weikang Ran, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15427–15442, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15427-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15427-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Recently, China has promulgated a series of regulations to reduce air pollutants. The decreased black carbon (BC) and co-emitted pollutants could affect the interactions between BC and other aerosols, which in turn results in changes in BC. Herein, we re-assessed the characteristics of BC of a representative pollution site in northern China in the final year of the Chinese
Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution.
Junfeng Wang, Jianhuai Ye, Dantong Liu, Yangzhou Wu, Jian Zhao, Weiqi Xu, Conghui Xie, Fuzhen Shen, Jie Zhang, Paul E. Ohno, Yiming Qin, Xiuyong Zhao, Scot T. Martin, Alex K. Y. Lee, Pingqing Fu, Daniel J. Jacob, Qi Zhang, Yele Sun, Mindong Chen, and Xinlei Ge
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14091–14102, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14091-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14091-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We compared the organics in total submicron matter and those coated on BC cores during summertime in Beijing and found large differences between them. Traffic-related OA was associated significantly with BC, while cooking-related OA did not coat BC. In addition, a factor likely originated from primary biomass burning OA was only identified in BC-containing particles. Such a unique BBOA requires further field and laboratory studies to verify its presence and elucidate its properties and impacts.
Lei Zhu, Gonzalo González Abad, Caroline R. Nowlan, Christopher Chan Miller, Kelly Chance, Eric C. Apel, Joshua P. DiGangi, Alan Fried, Thomas F. Hanisco, Rebecca S. Hornbrook, Lu Hu, Jennifer Kaiser, Frank N. Keutsch, Wade Permar, Jason M. St. Clair, and Glenn M. Wolfe
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 12329–12345, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12329-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12329-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We develop a validation platform for satellite HCHO retrievals using in situ observations from 12 aircraft campaigns. The platform offers an alternative way to quickly assess systematic biases in HCHO satellite products over large domains and long periods, facilitating optimization of retrieval settings and the minimization of retrieval biases. Application to the NASA operational HCHO product indicates that relative biases range from −44.5 % to +112.1 % depending on locations and seasons.
Pengfei Han, Ning Zeng, Tom Oda, Xiaohui Lin, Monica Crippa, Dabo Guan, Greet Janssens-Maenhout, Xiaolin Ma, Zhu Liu, Yuli Shan, Shu Tao, Haikun Wang, Rong Wang, Lin Wu, Xiao Yun, Qiang Zhang, Fang Zhao, and Bo Zheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 11371–11385, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-11371-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-11371-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
An accurate estimation of China’s fossil-fuel CO2 emissions (FFCO2) is significant for quantification of carbon budget and emissions reductions towards the Paris Agreement goals. Here we assessed 9 global and regional inventories. Our findings highlight the significance of using locally measured coal emission factors. We call on the enhancement of physical measurements for validation and provide comprehensive information for inventory, monitoring, modeling, assimilation, and reducing emissions.
Xiao Lu, Lin Zhang, Tongwen Wu, Michael S. Long, Jun Wang, Daniel J. Jacob, Fang Zhang, Jie Zhang, Sebastian D. Eastham, Lu Hu, Lei Zhu, Xiong Liu, and Min Wei
Geosci. Model Dev., 13, 3817–3838, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-3817-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-3817-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents the development and evaluation of a new climate chemistry model, BCC-GEOS-Chem v1.0, which couples the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model as an atmospheric chemistry component in the Beijing Climate Center atmospheric general circulation model. A 3-year (2012–2014) simulation of BCC-GEOS-Chem v1.0 shows that the model captures well the spatiotemporal distributions of tropospheric ozone, other gaseous pollutants, and aerosols.
Cited articles
Abo Riziq, A., Erlick, C., Dinar, E., and Rudich, Y.: Optical properties of absorbing and non-absorbing aerosols retrieved by cavity ring down (CRD) spectroscopy, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 7, 1523–1536, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-7-1523-2007, 2007.
Aiken, A. C., Decarlo, P. F., Kroll, J. H., Worsnop, D. R., Huffman, J. A., Docherty, K. S., Ulbrich, I. M., Mohr, C., Kimmel, J. R., Sueper, D., Sun, Y., Zhang, Q., Trimborn, A., Northway, M., Ziemann, P. J., Canagaratna, M. R., Onasch, T. B., Alfarra, M. R., Prevot, A. S. H., Dommen, J., Duplissy, J., Metzger, A., Baltensperger, U., and Jimenez, J. L.:
Al Fischer, D. and Smith, G. D.: A portable, four-wavelength, single-cell photoacoustic spectrometer for ambient aerosol absorption, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 52, 393–406, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2017.1413231, 2018.
Anderson, T. L. and Ogren, J. A.: Determining aerosol radiative properties using the TSI 3563 integrating nephelometer, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 29, 57–69, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786829808965551, 1998.
Arnott, W. P., Moosmüller, H., Rogers, C. F., Jin, T., and Bruch, R.: Photoacoustic spectrometer for measuring light absorption by aerosol: instrument description, Atmos. Environ., 33, 2845–2852, 1998.
Baboomian, V. J., He, Q. F., Montoya-Aguilera, J., Ali, N., Fleming, L. T., Lin, P., Laskin, A., Laskin, J., Rudich, Y., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Light absorption and scattering properties of indole secondary organic aerosol prepared under various oxidant and relative humidity conditions, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 57, 532–545, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2023.2193235, 2023.
Bianco, A., Deguillaume, L., Vaitilingom, M., Nicol, E., Baray, J. L., Chaumerliac, N., and Bridoux, M.: Molecular characterization of cloud water samples collected at the Puy de Dome (France) by fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 10275–10285, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b01964, 2018.
Bond, T. C. and Bergstrom, R. W.: Light absorption by carbonaceous particles: An investigative review, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 40, 27–67, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820500421521, 2006.
Bond, T. C., Covert, D. S., and Müller, T.: Truncation and angular-scattering corrections for absorbing aerosol in the TSI 3563 nephelometer, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 43, 866–871, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820902998373, 2009.
Bones, D. L., Henricksen, D. K., Mang, S. A., Gonsior, M., Bateman, A. P., Nguyen, T. B., Cooper, W. J., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Appearance of strong absorbers and fluorophores in limonene-O3 secondary organic aerosol due to
Cappa, C. D., Lack, D. A., Burkholder, J. B., and Ravishankara, A. R.: Bias in filter-based aerosol light absorption measurements due to organic aerosol loading: Evidence from laboratory measurements, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 42, 1022–1032, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820802389285, 2008.
Chang, J. L. and Thompson, J. E.: Characterization of colored products formed during irradiation of aqueous solutions containing H2O2 and phenolic compounds, Atmos. Environ., 44, 541–551, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2009.10.042, 2010.
Chen, J., Wenger, J. C., and Venables, D. S.: Near-ultraviolet absorption cross sections of nitrophenols and their potential influence on tropospheric oxidation capacity, J. Phys. Chem. A, 115, 12235–12242, https://doi.org/10.1021/jp206929r, 2011.
Chen, K. P., Mayorga, R., Raeofy, N., Lum, M., Woods, M., Bahreini, R., Zhang, H. F., and Lin, Y. H.: Effects of nitrate radical levels and pre-existing particles on secondary brown carbon formation from nighttime oxidation of furan, ACS Earth Space Chem., 6, 2709–2721, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00244, 2022a.
Chen, K. P., Raeofy, N., Lum, M., Mayorga, R., Woods, M., Bahreini, R., Zhang, H. F., and Lin, Y. H.: Solvent effects on chemical composition and optical properties of extracted secondary brown carbon constituents, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 56, 917–930, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2022.2100734, 2022b.
Chen, K. P., Mayorga, R., Hamilton, C., Bahreini, R., Zhang, H. F., and Lin, Y. H.: Contribution of carbonyl chromophores in secondary brown carbon from nighttime oxidation of unsaturated heterocyclic volatile organic compounds, Environ. Sci. Technol., 57, 20085–20096, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c08872, 2023.
Chen, Y. and Bond, T. C.: Light absorption by organic carbon from wood combustion, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 1773–1787, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-1773-2010, 2010.
Claeys, M., Vermeylen, R., Yasmeen, F., Gómez-González, Y., Chi, X. G., Maenhaut, W., Mészáros, T., and Salma, I.: Chemical characterisation of humic-like substances from urban, rural and tropical biomass burning environments using liquid chromatography with UV/vis photodiode array detection and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, Environ. Chem., 9, 273–284, https://doi.org/10.1071/en11163, 2012.
Cui, M., Li, C., Chen, Y., Zhang, F., Li, J., Jiang, B., Mo, Y., Li, J., Yan, C., Zheng, M., Xie, Z., Zhang, G., and Zheng, J.: Molecular characterization of polar organic aerosol constituents in off-road engine emissions using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS): implications for source apportionment, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 13945–13956, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-13945-2019, 2019.
Cui, Y., Chen, K., Zhang, H., Lin, Y.-H., and Bahreini, R.: Chemical composition and optical properties of secondary organic aerosol from photooxidation of volatile organic compound mixtures, ACS ES&T Air, 1, 247–258, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00041, 2024.
Dalton, A. B., Wingen, L. M., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Isomeric identification of the nitroindole chromophore in indole, ACS Phys. Chem. Au, 4, 568–574, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphyschemau.4c00044, 2024.
Desyaterik, Y., Sun, Y., Shen, X. H., Lee, T. Y., Wang, X. F., Wang, T., and Collett, J. L.: Speciation of “brown” carbon in cloud water impacted by agricultural biomass burning in eastern China, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 118, 7389–7399, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50561, 2013.
Feng, L., Xu, J. Z., Kang, S. C., Li, X. F., Li, Y., Jiang, B., and Shi, Q.: Chemical composition of microbe-derived dissolved organic matter in cryoconite in Tibetan Plateau glaciers: Insights from fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analysis, Environ. Sci. Technol., 50, 13215–13223, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b03971, 2016.
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.
Forrister, H., Liu, J., Scheuer, E., Dibb, J., Ziemba, L., Thornhill, K. L., Anderson, B., Diskin, G., Perring, A. E., Schwarz, J. P., Campuzano-Jost, P., Day, D. A., Palm, B. B., Jimenez, J. L., Nenes, A., and Weber, R. J.: Evolution of brown carbon in wildfire plumes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 4623–4630, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015gl063897, 2015.
Gómez-González, Y., Wang, W., Vermeylen, R., Chi, X., Neirynck, J., Janssens, I. A., Maenhaut, W., and Claeys, M.: Chemical characterisation of atmospheric aerosols during a 2007 summer field campaign at Brasschaat, Belgium: sources and source processes of biogenic secondary organic aerosol, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 125–138, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-125-2012, 2012.
Haynes, J. P., Miller, K. E., and Majestic, B. J.: Investigation into photoinduced auto-oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons resulting in brown carbon production, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 682–691, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b05704, 2019.
Hecobian, A., Zhang, X., Zheng, M., Frank, N., Edgerton, E. S., and Weber, R. J.: Water-Soluble Organic Aerosol material and the light-absorption characteristics of aqueous extracts measured over the Southeastern United States, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 5965–5977, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-5965-2010, 2010.
Jiang, H. H., Frie, A. L., Lavi, A., Chen, J. Y., Zhang, H. F., Bahreini, R., and Lin, Y. H.: Brown carbon formation from nighttime chemistry of unsaturated heterocyclic volatile organic compounds, Environ. Sci. Tech. Let., 6, 184–190, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.9b00017, 2019.
Kim, S., Kramer, R. W., and Hatcher, P. G.: Graphical method for analysis of ultrahigh-resolution broadband mass spectra of natural organic matter, the van Krevelen diagram, Anal. Chem., 75, 5336–5344, https://doi.org/10.1021/ac034415p, 2003.
Kitanovski, Z., Čusak, A., Grgić, I., and Claeys, M.: Chemical characterization of the main products formed through aqueous-phase photonitration of guaiacol, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 2457–2470, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-2457-2014, 2014.
Kourtchev, I., Fuller, S. J., Giorio, C., Healy, R. M., Wilson, E., O'Connor, I., Wenger, J. C., McLeod, M., Aalto, J., Ruuskanen, T. M., Maenhaut, W., Jones, R., Venables, D. S., Sodeau, J. R., Kulmala, M., and Kalberer, M.: Molecular composition of biogenic secondary organic aerosols using ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry: comparing laboratory and field studies, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 2155–2167, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-2155-2014, 2014.
Kourtchev, I., Doussin, J.-F., Giorio, C., Mahon, B., Wilson, E. M., Maurin, N., Pangui, E., Venables, D. S., Wenger, J. C., and Kalberer, M.: Molecular composition of fresh and aged secondary organic aerosol from a mixture of biogenic volatile compounds: a high-resolution mass spectrometry study, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5683–5695, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5683-2015, 2015.
Kourtchev, I., Godoi, R. H. M., Connors, S., Levine, J. G., Archibald, A. T., Godoi, A. F. L., Paralovo, S. L., Barbosa, C. G. G., Souza, R. A. F., Manzi, A. O., Seco, R., Sjostedt, S., Park, J.-H., Guenther, A., Kim, S., Smith, J., Martin, S. T., and Kalberer, M.: Molecular composition of organic aerosols in central Amazonia: an ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry study, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 11899–11913, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11899-2016, 2016.
Kristensen, K., Cui, T., Zhang, H., Gold, A., Glasius, M., and Surratt, J. D.: Dimers in α-pinene secondary organic aerosol: effect of hydroxyl radical, ozone, relative humidity and aerosol acidity, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 4201–4218, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-4201-2014, 2014.
Kruve, A.: Semi-quantitative non-target analysis of water with liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry: How far are we?, Rapid Commun. Mass Sp., 33, 54–63, https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.8208, 2019.
Kumar, N. K., Corbin, J. C., Bruns, E. A., Massabó, D., Slowik, J. G., Drinovec, L., Močnik, G., Prati, P., Vlachou, A., Baltensperger, U., Gysel, M., El-Haddad, I., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Production of particulate brown carbon during atmospheric aging of residential wood-burning emissions, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 17843–17861, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-17843-2018, 2018.
Lack, D. A., Cappa, C. D., Covert, D. S., Baynard, T., Massoli, P., Sierau, B., Bates, T. S., Quinn, P. K., Lovejoy, E. R., and Ravishankara, A. R.: Bias in filter-based aerosol light absorption measurements due to organic aerosol loading: Evidence from ambient measurements, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 42, 1033–1041, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820802389277, 2008.
Lambe, A. T., Cappa, C. D., Massoli, P., Onasch, T. B., Forestieri, S. D., Martin, A. T., Cummings, M. J., Croasdale, D. R., Brune, W. H., Worsnop, D. R., and Davidovits, P.: Relationship between oxidation level and optical properties of secondary organic aerosol, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 6349–6357, https://doi.org/10.1021/es401043j, 2013.
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.
Lewis, K., Arnott, W. P., Moosmuller, H., and Wold, C. E.: Strong spectral variation of biomass smoke light absorption and single scattering albedo observed with a novel dual-wavelength photoacoustic instrument, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 113, D16203, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007jd009699, 2008.
Li, C. L., He, Q. F., Hettiyadura, A. P. S., Käfer, U., Shmul, G., Meidan, D., Zimmermann, R., Brown, S. S., George, C., Laskin, A., and Rudich, Y.: Formation of secondary brown carbon in biomass burning aerosol proxies through NO3 radical reactions, Environ. Sci. Technol., 54, 1395–1405, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b05641, 2020.
Li, K., Wang, W. G., Ge, M. F., Li, J. J., and Wang, D.: Optical properties of secondary organic aerosols generated by photooxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons, Sci. Rep.-UK, 4, 4922, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep04922, 2014.
Liu, J., Bergin, M., Guo, H., King, L., Kotra, N., Edgerton, E., and Weber, R. J.: Size-resolved measurements of brown carbon in water and methanol extracts and estimates of their contribution to ambient fine-particle light absorption, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 12389–12404, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-12389-2013, 2013.
Massabò, D., Caponi, L., Bove, M. C., and Prati, P.: Brown carbon and thermal-optical analysis: A correction based on optical multi-wavelength apportionment of atmospheric aerosols, Atmos. Environ., 125, 119–125, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.11.011, 2016.
Massoli, P., Kebabian, P. L., Onasch, T. B., Hills, F. B., and Freedman, A.: Aerosol light extinction measurements by cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) spectroscopy: Laboratory validation and field deployment of a compact aerosol particle extinction monitor, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 44, 428–435, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786821003716599, 2010.
Mayorga, R., Chen, K. P., Raeofy, N., Woods, M., Lum, M., Zhao, Z. X., Zhang, W., Bahreini, R., Lin, Y. H., and Zhang, H. F.: Chemical structure regulates the formation of secondary organic aerosol and brown carbon in nitrate radical oxidation of pyrroles and methylpyrroles, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 7761–7770, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c02345, 2022.
Moise, T., Flores, J. M., and Rudich, Y.: Optical properties of secondary organic aerosols and their changes by chemical processes, Chem. Rev., 115, 4400–4439 https://doi.org/10.1021/cr5005259, 2015.
Montoya-Aguilera, J., Horne, J. R., Hinks, M. L., Fleming, L. T., Perraud, V., Lin, P., Laskin, A., Laskin, J., Dabdub, D., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Secondary organic aerosol from atmospheric photooxidation of indole, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 11605–11621, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11605-2017, 2017.
Nozière, B., Dziedzic, P., and Córdova, A.: Products and kinetics of the liquid-phase reaction of glyoxal catalyzed by ammonium ions (
Ohno, T., He, Z. Q., Sleighter, R. L., Honeycutt, C. W., and Hatcher, P. G.: Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry and indicator species analysis to identify marker components of soil- and plant biomass-derived organic matter fractions, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 8594–8600, https://doi.org/10.1021/es101089t, 2010.
Olson, M. R., Garcia, M. V., Robinson, M. A., Van Rooy, P., Dietenberger, M. A., Bergin, M., and Schauer, J. J.: Investigation of black and brown carbon multiple-wavelength-dependent light absorption from biomass and fossil fuel combustion source emissions, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 120, 6682–6697, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014jd022970, 2015.
Pani, S. K., Lin, N. H., Griffith, S. M., Chantara, S., Lee, C. T., Thepnuan, D., and Tsai, Y.: Brown carbon light absorption over an urban environment in northern peninsular Southeast Asia, Environ. Pollut., 276, 116735, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116735, 2021.
Petzold, A., Schloesser, H., Sheridan, P. J., Arnott, W. P., Ogren, J. A., and Virkkula, A.: Evaluation of multiangle absorption photometry for measuring aerosol light absorption, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 39, 40–51, https://doi.org/10.1080/027868290901945, 2005.
Rathod, T. D., Sahu, S. K., Tiwari, M., Bhangare, R. C., and Ajmal, P. Y.: Optical properties of water soluble and organic soluble carbonaceous aerosols at an urban location in India, Atmos. Pollut. Res., 15, 101956, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101956, 2024.
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.
Saleh, R., Robinson, E. S., Tkacik, D. S., Ahern, A. T., Liu, S., Aiken, A. C., Sullivan, R. C., Presto, A. A., Dubey, M. K., Yokelson, R. J., Donahue, N. M., and Robinson, A. L.: Brownness of organics in aerosols from biomass burning linked to their black carbon content, Nat. Geosci., 7, 647–650, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2220, 2014.
Saleh, R., Cheng, Z. Z., and Atwi, K.: The brown-black continuum of light-absorbing combustion aerosols, Environ. Sci. Tech. Let., 5, 508–513, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00305, 2018.
Shapiro, E. L., Szprengiel, J., Sareen, N., Jen, C. N., Giordano, M. R., and McNeill, V. F.: Light-absorbing secondary organic material formed by glyoxal in aqueous aerosol mimics, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 2289–2300, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-2289-2009, 2009.
Shetty, N. J., Pandey, A., Baker, S., Hao, W. M., and Chakrabarty, R. K.: Measuring light absorption by freshly emitted organic aerosols: optical artifacts in traditional solvent-extraction-based methods, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 8817–8830, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-8817-2019, 2019.
Song, J. Z., Li, M. J., Jiang, B., Wei, S. Y., Fan, X. J., and Peng, P. A.: Molecular characterization of water-soluble humic like substances in smoke particles emitted from combustion of biomass materials and coal using ultrahigh-resolution electrospray ionization fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 2575–2585, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b06126, 2018.
Song, J. Z., Li, M. J., Fan, X. J., Zou, C. L., Zhu, M. B., Jiang, B., Yu, Z. Q., Jia, W. L., Liao, Y. H., and Peng, P. A.: Molecular characterization of water- and methanol-soluble organic compounds emitted from residential coal combustion using ultrahigh-resolution electrospray ionization fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 13607–13617, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b04331, 2019.
Subramanian, R., Roden, C. A., Boparai, P., and Bond, T. C.: Yellow beads and missing particles: Trouble ahead for filter-based absorption measurements, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 41, 630–637, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820701344589, 2007.
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.
Sun, H., Biedermann, L., and Bond, T. C.: Color of brown carbon: A model for ultraviolet and visible light absorption by organic carbon aerosol, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L17813, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029797, 2007.
Tao, S., Lu, X., Levac, N., Bateman, A. P., Nguyen, T. B., Bones, D. L., Nizkorodov, S. A., Laskin, J., Laskin, A., and Yang, X.: Molecular characterization of organosulfates in organic aerosols from Shanghai and Los Angeles urban areas by nanospray-desorption electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry, Environ. Sci. Technol., 48, 10993–11001, https://doi.org/10.1021/es5024674, 2014.
Turpin, B. J. and Lim, H. J.: Species contributions to PM2.5 mass concentrations: Revisiting common assumptions for estimating organic mass, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 35, 602–610, 2001.
Updyke, K. M., Nguyen, T. B., and Nizkorodov, S. A.: Formation of brown carbon via reactions of ammonia with secondary organic aerosols from biogenic and anthropogenic precursors, Atmos. Environ., 63, 22–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.09.012, 2012.
Washenfelder, R. A., Attwood, A. R., Brock, C. A., Guo, H., Xu, L., Weber, R. J., Ng, N. L., Allen, H. M., Ayres, B. R., Baumann, K., Cohen, R. C., Draper, D. C., Duffey, K. C., Edgerton, E., Fry, J. L., Hu, W. W., Jimenez, J. L., Palm, B. B., Romer, P., Stone, E. A., Wooldridge, P. J., and Brown, S. S.: Biomass burning dominates brown carbon absorption in the rural southeastern United States, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 653–664, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014gl062444, 2015.
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, 147971, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147971, 2021.
Wong, J. P. S., Nenes, A., and Weber, R. J.: Changes in light absorptivity of molecular weight separated brown carbon due to photolytic aging, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 8414–8421, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b01739, 2017.
Zarzana, K. J., De Haan, D. O., Freedman, M. A., Hasenkopf, C. A., and Tolbert, M. A.: Optical properties of the products of α-dicarbonyl and amine reactions in simulated cloud droplets, Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 4845–4851, https://doi.org/10.1021/es2040152, 2012.
Zeng, L. H., Zhang, A. X., Wang, Y. H., Wagner, N. L., Katich, J. M., Schwarz, J. P., Schill, G. P., Brock, C., Froyd, K. D., Murphy, D. M., Williamson, C. J., Kupc, A., Scheuer, E., Dibb, J., and Weber, R. J.: Global measurements of brown carbon and estimated direct radiative effects, Geophys. Res. Lett., 47, e2020GL088747, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gl088747, 2020.
Zeng, Y. L., Zhang, A. T., Yang, X., Xing, C. B., Zhai, J. H., Wang, Y. X., Cai, B. H., Shi, S., Zhang, Y. J., Shen, Z. X., Fu, T. M., Zhu, L., Shen, H. Z., Ye, J. H., and Wang, C.: Internal exposure potential of water-soluble organic molecules in urban PM2.5 evaluated by non-covalent adductome of human serum albumin, Environ. Int., 184, 108492, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108492, 2024.
Zhai, J., Wang, X., Li, J., Xu, T., Chen, H., Yang, X., and Chen, J.: Thermal desorption single particle mass spectrometry of ambient aerosol in Shanghai, Atmos. Environ., 123, 407–414, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.09.001, 2015.
Zhai, J., Zhang, Y., Liu, P., Y., Zhang, A., Zhang, Y., Zeng, Cai, B., Zhang, J., Xing, C., Yang, H., Wang, X., Ye, J., Wang, C., Fu, T.-M., Zhu, L., Shen, H., Tao, S., and Yang, X.: Source-Dependent Optical Properties and Molecular Characteristics of Atmospheric Brown Carbon, Version v1, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14780067, 2025.
Zhang, A. T., Zeng, Y. L., Yang, X., Zhai, J. H., Wang, Y. X., Xing, C. B., Cai, B. H., Shi, S., Zhang, Y. J., Shen, Z. X., Fu, T. M., Zhu, L., Shen, H. Z., Ye, J. H., and Wang, C.: Organic matrix effect on the molecular light absorption of brown carbon, Geophys. Res. Lett., 50, e2023GL106541, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl106541, 2023.
Zhang, X. L., Lin, Y. H., Surratt, J. D., and Weber, R. J.: Sources, composition and absorption angstrom exponent of light-absorbing organic components in aerosol extracts from the Los Angeles Basin, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 3685–3693, https://doi.org/10.1021/es305047b, 2013.
Zhao, R., Lee, A. K. Y., Huang, L., Li, X., Yang, F., and Abbatt, J. P. D.: Photochemical processing of aqueous atmospheric brown carbon, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 6087–6100, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-6087-2015, 2015.
Zhong, M. and Jang, M.: Light absorption coefficient measurement of SOA using a UV-Visible spectrometer connected with an integrating sphere, Atmos. Environ., 45, 4263–4271, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.04.082, 2011.
Zhou, Y., West, C. P., Hettiyadura, A. P. S., Pu, W., Shi, T. L., Niu, X. Y., Wen, H., Cui, J. C., Wang, X., and Laskin, A.: Molecular characterization of water-soluble brown carbon chromophores in snowpack from Northern Xinjiang, China, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 4173–4186, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c07972, 2022.
Short summary
Our study shows that the optical properties of brown carbon depend on its source. Brown carbon from ozone pollution had the weakest light absorption but the strongest wavelength dependence, while biomass burning brown carbon showed the strongest absorption and the weakest wavelength dependence. Nitrogen-containing organic carbon compounds were identified as key light absorbers. These results improve understanding of brown carbon sources and help refine climate models.
Our study shows that the optical properties of brown carbon depend on its source. Brown carbon...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint