Secondary processes driven by multi-factor interactions dominate the aerosol nitroaromatic compound pollution during winter in China

Xu, Yu; You, Yu-Cheng; Yang, Ting; Gui, Lin; Tao, Jun-Liang; Chen, Tian-Shu; Xiao, Hao; Yin, Mei-Ju; Xiao, Hong-Wei; Xiao, Hua-Yun

doi:10.5194/acp-26-10751-2026

Articles | Volume 26, issue 15

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10751-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10751-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 26, issue 15

Research article

|

03 Aug 2026

Research article |

| 03 Aug 2026

Secondary processes driven by multi-factor interactions dominate the aerosol nitroaromatic compound pollution during winter in China

Yu Xu, Yu-Cheng You, Ting Yang, Lin Gui, Jun-Liang Tao, Tian-Shu Chen, Hao Xiao, Mei-Ju Yin, Hong-Wei Xiao, and Hua-Yun Xiao

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This study presents the characteristics and potential origins of nitroaromatics (NACs) in winter PM_2.5 across 11 Chinese cities, along with key factors controlling their formation. We propose that relative humidity- or aerosol liquid water-promoted NAC formation from lab studies may not be universally interpretable in real atmospheres, where multi-factor interactions are critical. This work highlights the need to consider complex field conditions in future research on NAC formation mechanisms.

This study presents the characteristics and potential origins of nitroaromatics (NACs) in winter...

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