Articles | Volume 26, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-13303-2026
© Author(s) 2026. 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-26-13303-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Apportioning light absorption of ambient aerosols to black carbon, brown carbon, and lensing effect using a PAX-ISS hybrid method: insights into absorption enhancement
Yi Shen
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Department of Atmospheric Science & School of Earth Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Guorui Zhi
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Wenjing Jin
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Yao Kong
Dongying Meteorological Bureau, Dongying 257091, China
Yuzhe Zhang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Zhengying Li
Beijing Municipal Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Beijing 100048, China
Jianzhong Sun
School of Physical Education, Chizhou University, Chizhou 247000, China
Yuankai Wang
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Zhijian Liang
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Cited articles
Andre, K., Dlugi, R., and Schnatz, G.: Absorption of Visible Radiation by Atmospheric Aerosol Particles Fog and Cloud Water Residues, J. Atmos. Sci., 38, 141–155, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1981)038<0141:AOVRBA>2.0.CO;2, 1981.
Arhami, M., Shahne, M. Z., Hosseini, V., Roufigar Haghighat, N., Lai, A. M., and Schauer, J. J.: Seasonal trends in the composition and sources of PM2.5 and carbonaceous aerosol in Tehran, Iran, Environ. Pollut., 239, 69–81, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.111, 2018.
Aswini, A. R., Hegde, P., Nair, P. R., and Aryasree, S.: Seasonal changes in carbonaceous aerosols over a tropical coastal location in response to meteorological processes, Sci. Total Environ., 656, 1261–1279, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.366, 2019.
Bond, T. C., Habib, G., and Bergstrom, R. W.: Limitations in the enhancement of visible light absorption due to mixing state, J. Geophys. Res., 111, D20211, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007315, 2006.
Bond, T. C., Doherty, S. J., Fahey, D. W., Forster, P. M., Berntsen, T., DeAngelo, B. J., Flanner, M. G., Ghan, S., Kärcher, B., Koch, D., Kinne, S., Kondo, Y., Quinn, P. K., Sarofim, M. C., Schultz, M. G., Schulz, M., Venkataraman, C., Zhang, H., Zhang, S., Bellouin, N., Guttikunda, S. K., Hopke, P. K., Jacobson, M. Z., Kaiser, J. W., Klimont, Z., Lohmann, U., Schwarz, J. P., Shindell, D., Storelvmo, T., Warren, S. G., and Zender, C. S.: Bounding the role of black carbon in the climate system: A scientific assessment, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 118, 5380–5552, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50171, 2013.
Boonpeng, B., ChooChuay, C., Dejchanchaiwong, R., Tekasakul, P., Nim, N., Bunyarit, C., Choodum, A., Areerob, T., Kleangklao, B., Wandee, S., Pianroj, Y., and Jumrat, S.: An investigation of carbonaceous components and source identification of ultrafine particulate matter in the atmosphere of the southern region of thailand, Aerosol Air Qual. Res., 26, 8, https://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00084-0, 2026.
Cappa, C. D., Onasch, T. B., Massoli, P., Worsnop, D. R., Bates, T. S., Cross, E. S., Davidovits, P., Hakala, J., Hayden, K. L., Jobson, B. T., Kolesar, K. R., Lack, D. A., Lerner, B. M., Li, S.-M., Mellon, D., Nuaaman, I., Olfert, J. S., Petäjä, T., Quinn, P. K., Song, C., Subramanian, R., Williams, E. J., and Zaveri, R. A.: Radiative absorption enhancements due to the mixing state of atmospheric black carbon, Science, 337, 1078–1081, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1223447, 2012.
Cappa, C. D., Zhang, X., Russell, L. M., Collier, S., Lee, A. K. Y., Chen, C., Betha, R., Chen, S., Liu, J., Price, D. J., Sanchez, K. J., McMeeking, G. R., Williams, L. R., Onasch, T. B., Worsnop, D. R., Abbatt, J., and Zhang, Q.: Light absorption by ambient black and brown carbon and its dependence on black carbon coating state for two California, USA, cities in winter and summer, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 124, 1550–1577, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JD029501, 2019.
Chen, B., Bai, Z., Cui, X., Chen, J., Andersson, A., and Gustafsson, Ö.: Light absorption enhancement of black carbon from urban haze in Northern China winter, Environ. Pollut., 221, 418–426, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.004, 2017.
Chen, L.-W. A., Chow, J. C., Wang, X. L., Robles, J. A., Sumlin, B. J., Lowenthal, D. H., Zimmermann, R., and Watson, J. G.: Multi-wavelength optical measurement to enhance thermal/optical analysis for carbonaceous aerosol, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 451–461, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-451-2015, 2015.
Chen, X., Ching, J., Wu, F., Matsui, H., Jacobson, M. Z., Zhang, F., Wang, Y., Zhang, Z., Liu, D., Zhu, S., Rudich, Y., Shi, Z., Yoo, H., Jeon, K.-J., and Li, W.: Locating the missing absorption enhancement due to multi-core black carbon aerosols, Nat. Commun., 16, 10187, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65079-2, 2025.
Choudhary, V., Rajput, P., Rajeev, P., and Gupta, T.: Synergistic effect in absorption properties of brown carbon and elemental carbon over IGP during weak southwest monsoon, Aerosol Sci. Eng., 1, 138–149, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-017-0013-1, 2017.
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Chen, L.-W. A., Chang, M. C. O., Robinson, N. F., Trimble, D., and Kohl, S.: The IMPROVE_A Temperature Protocol for Thermal/Optical Carbon Analysis: Maintaining Consistency with a Long-Term Database, J. Air Waste Manage., 57, 1014–1023, https://doi.org/10.3155/1047-3289.57.9.1014, 2007.
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Green, M. C., Wang, X., Chen, L.-W. A., Trimble, D. L., Cropper, P. M., Kohl, S. D., and Gronstal, S. B.: Separation of brown carbon from black carbon for IMPROVE and Chemical Speciation Network PM2.5 samples, J. Air Waste Manage., 68, 494–510, https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2018.1426653, 2018.
Chung, S. H.: Climate response of direct radiative forcing of anthropogenic black carbon, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D11102, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005441, 2005.
Cui, X., Wang, X., Yang, L., Chen, B., Chen, J., Andersson, A., and Gustafsson, Ö.: Radiative absorption enhancement from coatings on black carbon aerosols, Sci. Total Environ., 551–552, 51–56, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.026, 2016.
Curci, G., Alyuz, U., Barò, R., Bianconi, R., Bieser, J., Christensen, J. H., Colette, A., Farrow, A., Francis, X., Jiménez-Guerrero, P., Im, U., Liu, P., Manders, A., Palacios-Peña, L., Prank, M., Pozzoli, L., Sokhi, R., Solazzo, E., Tuccella, P., Unal, A., Vivanco, M. G., Hogrefe, C., and Galmarini, S.: Modelling black carbon absorption of solar radiation: combining external and internal mixing assumptions, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 181–204, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-181-2019, 2019.
Dahlkötter, F., Gysel, M., Sauer, D., Minikin, A., Baumann, R., Seifert, P., Ansmann, A., Fromm, M., Voigt, C., and Weinzierl, B.: The Pagami Creek smoke plume after long-range transport to the upper troposphere over Europe – aerosol properties and black carbon mixing state, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 6111–6137, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6111-2014, 2014.
Fan, R., Ma, Y., Cao, W., Jin, S., Liu, B., Wang, W., Li, H., and Gong, W.: New insights into black carbon light absorption enhancement: A comprehensive analysis of two differential behaviors, Environ. Pollut., 355, 124175, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124175, 2024.
Fierce, L., Bond, T. C., Bauer, S. E., Mena, F., and Riemer, N.: Black carbon absorption at the global scale is affected by particle-scale diversity in composition, Nat. Commun., 7, 12361, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12361, 2016.
Fischer, K.: Bestimmung der Absorption von sichtbarer Strahlung durch Aerosolpartikeln, Beitr. Phys. Atmos., 43, 244–254, 1970.
Flanner, M. G., Zender, C. S., Randerson, J. T., and Rasch, P. J.: Present-day climate forcing and response from black carbon in snow, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D11202, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD008003, 2007.
Fu, X., Li, X., Zhang, F., Ren, Z., Ge, A., Zhang, X., Fang, Z., Song, W., Deng, W., Zhang, Y., Rudich, Y., and Wang, X.: Evolution of Light Absorption Enhancement of Black Carbon Aerosols From Biomass Burning in Atmospheric Photochemical Aging, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 129, e2024JD040756, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JD040756, 2024.
Guan, L., Cohen, J. B., Wang, S., Tiwari, P., Liu, Z., and Qin, K.: Improving Aerosol Absorption Estimates Via Size‐Resolved Constraints Based on AERONET and In Situ Measurements, Geophys. Res. Lett., 53, e2025GL117418, https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL117418, 2026.
Han, Y. M., Han, Z. W., Cao, J. J., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., An, Z. S., Liu, S. X., and Zhang, R. J.: Distribution and origin of carbonaceous aerosol over a rural high-mountain lake area, Northern China and its transport significance, Atmos. Environ., 42, 2405–2414, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.020, 2008.
Han, Y. M., Cao, J. J., Lee, S. C., Ho, K. F., and An, Z. S.: Different characteristics of char and soot in the atmosphere and their ratio as an indicator for source identification in Xi'an, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 595–607, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-595-2010, 2010.
Heintzenberg, J.: Size-segregated measurements of particulate elemental carbon and aerosol light absorption at remote arctic locations, Atmos. Environ., 16, 2461–2469, https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(82)90136-6, 1982.
Helin, A., Virkkula, A., Backman, J., Pirjola, L., Sippula, O., Aakko‐Saksa, P., Väätäinen, S., Mylläri, F., Järvinen, A., Bloss, M., Aurela, M., Jakobi, G., Karjalainen, P., Zimmermann, R., Jokiniemi, J., Saarikoski, S., Tissari, J., Rönkkö, T., Niemi, J. V., and Timonen, H.: Variation of Absorption Ångström Exponent in Aerosols From Different Emission Sources, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, e2020JD034094, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD034094, 2021.
Hitzenberger, R. and Tohno, S.: Comparison of black carbon (BC) aerosols in two urban areas – concentrations and size distributions, Atmos. Environ., 35, 2153–2167, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00480-5, 2001.
Hitzenberger, R., Fohler-Norek, C., Dusek, U., Galambos, Z., and Sidla, S.: Comparison of recent (1994) black carbon data with those obtained in 1985 and 1986 in the urban area of Vienna, Austria: implications for future environmental policy decisions, Sci. Total Environ., 189–190, 275–280, https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(96)05219-9, 1996.
Jacobson, M. Z.: Strong radiative heating due to the mixing state of black carbon in atmospheric aerosols, Nature, 409, 695–697, https://doi.org/10.1038/35055518, 2001.
Jin, Y., Wang, J., Liu, C., Wong, D. C., Sarwar, G., Fahey, K. M., Wu, S., Wang, J., Cai, J., Tian, Z., Zhang, Z., Xing, J., Ding, A., and Wang, S.: Accounting for the black carbon aging process in a two-way coupled meteorology–air quality model, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2613–2630, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2613-2025, 2025.
Kaskaoutis, D. G., Grivas, G., Stavroulas, I., Bougiatioti, A., Liakakou, E., Dumka, U. C., Gerasopoulos, E., and Mihalopoulos, N.: Apportionment of black and brown carbon spectral absorption sources in the urban environment of Athens, Greece, during winter, Sci. Total Environ., 801, 149739, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149739, 2021.
Kelesidis, G. A., Neubauer, D., Fan, L.-S., Lohmann, U., and Pratsinis, S. E.: Enhanced light absorption and radiative forcing by black carbon agglomerates, Environ. Sci. Technol., 56, 8610–8618, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c00428, 2022.
Kong, Y., Zhi, G., Jin, W., Zhang, Y., Shen, Y., Li, Z., Sun, J., and Ren, Y.: A review of quantification methods for light absorption enhancement of black carbon aerosol, Sci. Total Environ., 924, 171539, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171539, 2024.
Lack, D. A. and Cappa, C. D.: Impact of brown and clear carbon on light absorption enhancement, single scatter albedo and absorption wavelength dependence of black carbon, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 4207–4220, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-4207-2010, 2010.
Lack, D. A. and Langridge, J. M.: On the attribution of black and brown carbon light absorption using the Ångström exponent, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 10535–10543, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10535-2013, 2013.
Lack, D. A., Langridge, J. M., Bahreini, R., Cappa, C. D., Middlebrook, A. M., and Schwarz, J. P.: Brown carbon and internal mixing in biomass burning particles, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 109, 14802–14807, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1206575109, 2012.
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.
Laskin, A., West, C. P., and Hettiyadura, A. P. S.: Molecular insights into the composition, sources, and aging of atmospheric brown carbon, Chem. Soc. Rev., 54, 1583–1612, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00609C, 2025.
Li, H. Z., Dallmann, T. R., Li, X., Gu, P., and Presto, A. A.: Urban organic aerosol exposure: Spatial variations in composition and source impacts, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 415–426, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03674, 2018.
Li, J., Liu, C., Yin, Y., and Kumar, K. R.: Numerical investigation on the Ångström exponent of black carbon aerosol, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 121, 3506–3518, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JD024718, 2016.
Li, S., Zhang, H., Wang, Z., and Chen, Y.: Advances in the research on brown carbon aerosols: Its concentrations, radiative forcing, and effects on climate, Aerosol Air Qual. Res., 23, 220336, https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220336, 2023a.
Li, Z., Zhi, G., Zhang, Y., Jin, W., Sun, J., Kong, Y., Shen, Y., and Zhang, H.: The integrating sphere system plus in-situ absorption monitoring: A new scheme to study absorption enhancement of black carbon in ambient aerosols, Sci. Total Environ., 892, 164355, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164355, 2023b.
Liu, B., Zhang, J., Wang, L., Liang, D., Cheng, Y., Wu, J., Bi, X., Feng, Y., Zhang, Y., and Yang, H.: Characteristics and sources of the fine carbonaceous aerosols in Haikou, China, Atmos. Res., 199, 103–112, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.08.022, 2018a.
Liu, C., Chung, C. E., Yin, Y., and Schnaiter, M.: The absorption Ångström exponent of black carbon: from numerical aspects, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 6259–6273, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-6259-2018, 2018b.
Liu, J., Christensen, J. H., Ye, Z., Dong, S., Geels, C., Brandt, J., Nenes, A., Yuan, Y., and Im, U.: Impact of meteorology and aerosol sources on PM2.5 and oxidative potential variability and levels in China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 10849–10867, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10849-2024, 2024.
Liu, S., Aiken, A. C., Gorkowski, K., Dubey, M. K., Cappa, C. D., Williams, L. R., Herndon, S. C., Massoli, P., Fortner, E. C., Chhabra, P. S., Brooks, W. A., Onasch, T. B., Jayne, J. T., Worsnop, D. R., China, S., Sharma, N., Mazzoleni, C., Xu, L., Ng, N. L., Liu, D., Allan, J. D., Lee, J. D., Fleming, Z. L., Mohr, C., Zotter, P., Szidat, S., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Enhanced light absorption by mixed source black and brown carbon particles in UK winter, Nat. Commun., 6, 8435, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9435, 2015.
Luo, J., Zhang, Y., Wang, F., and Zhang, Q.: Effects of brown coatings on the absorption enhancement of black carbon: a numerical investigation, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 16897–16914, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-16897-2018, 2018.
Luo, J., Zhang, Y., and Zhang, Q.: Effects of black carbon morphology on brown carbon absorption estimation: from numerical aspects, Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 2113–2126, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-2113-2021, 2021.
Masoom, A., Kazadzis, S., Modini, R. L., Gysel-Beer, M., Gröbner, J., Coen, M. C., Navas-Guzman, F., Kouremeti, N., Brem, B. T., Nowak, N. K., Martucci, G., and Hervo, M.: Long range transport of Canadian wildfire smoke to Europe in 2023: aerosol properties and spectral features of smoke particles, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 10801–10834, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10801-2026, 2026.
Mbengue, S., Zikova, N., Schwarz, J., Vodička, P., Šmejkalová, A. H., and Holoubek, I.: Mass absorption cross-section and absorption enhancement from long term black and elemental carbon measurements: A rural background station in central Europe, Sci. Total Environ., 794, 148365, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148365, 2021.
Medalia, A. I., Rivin, D., and Sanders, D. R.: A comparison of carbon black with soot, Sci. Total Environ., 31, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(83)90053-0, 1983.
Moschos, V., Gysel-Beer, M., Modini, R. L., Corbin, J. C., Massabò, D., Costa, C., Danelli, S. G., Vlachou, A., Daellenbach, K. R., Szidat, S., Prati, P., Prévôt, A. S. H., Baltensperger, U., and El Haddad, I.: Source-specific light absorption by carbonaceous components in the complex aerosol matrix from yearly filter-based measurements, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 12809–12833, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-12809-2021, 2021.
Peng, C., Yang, F., Tian, M., Shi, G., Li, L., Huang, R.-J., Yao, X., Luo, B., Zhai, C., and Chen, Y.: Brown carbon aerosol in two megacities in the Sichuan Basin of southwestern China: Light absorption properties and implications, Sci. Total Environ., 719, 137483, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137483, 2020.
Peng, J., Hu, M., Shang, D., Wu, Z., Du, Z., Tan, T., Wang, Y., Zhang, F., and Zhang, R.: Explosive secondary aerosol formation during severe haze in the North China Plain, Environ. Sci. Technol., 55, 2189–2207, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c07204, 2021.
Penner, J. E., Chuang, C. C., and Grant, K.: Climate forcing by carbonaceous and sulfate aerosols, Clim. Dynam., 14, 839–851, https://doi.org/10.1007/s003820050259, 1998.
Pokhrel, R. P., Beamesderfer, E. R., Wagner, N. L., Langridge, J. M., Lack, D. A., Jayarathne, T., Stone, E. A., Stockwell, C. E., Yokelson, R. J., and Murphy, S. M.: Relative importance of black carbon, brown carbon, and absorption enhancement from clear coatings in biomass burning emissions, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 5063–5078, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5063-2017, 2017.
Ravindra, K., Singh, T., Mandal, T. K., Sharma, S. K., and Mor, S.: Seasonal variations in carbonaceous species of PM2.5 aerosols at an urban location situated in Indo-Gangetic Plain and its relationship with transport pathways, including the potential sources, J. Environ. Manage., 303, 114049, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114049, 2022.
Reisinger, P., Wonaschütz, A., Hitzenberger, R., Petzold, A., Bauer, H., Jankowski, N., Puxbaum, H., Chi, X., and Maenhaut, W.: Intercomparison of measurement techniques for black or elemental carbon under urban background conditions in wintertime: Influence of biomass combustion, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42, 884–889, https://doi.org/10.1021/es0715041, 2008.
Samset, B. H., Wilcox, L. J., Allen, R. J., Stjern, C. W., Lund, M. T., Ahmadi, S., Ekman, A., Elling, M. T., Fraser-Leach, L., Griffiths, P., Keeble, J., Koshiro, T., Kushner, P., Lewinschal, A., Makkonen, R., Merikanto, J., Nabat, P., Narazenko, L., O'Donnell, D., Oshima, N., Rumbold, S. T., Takemura, T., Tsigaridis, K., and Westervelt, D. M.: East asian aerosol cleanup has likely contributed to the recent acceleration in global warming, Commun. Earth Environ.., 6, 543, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02527-3, 2025.
Schnaiter, M.: Absorption amplification of black carbon internally mixed with secondary organic aerosol, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D19204, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JD006046, 2005.
Schwarz, J. P., Spackman, J. R., Fahey, D. W., Gao, R. S., Lohmann, U., Stier, P., Watts, L. A., Thomson, D. S., Lack, D. A., Pfister, L., Mahoney, M. J., Baumgardner, D., Wilson, J. C., and Reeves, J. M.: Coatings and their enhancement of black carbon light absorption in the tropical atmosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D03203, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD009042, 2008.
Selimovic, V., Yokelson, R. J., McMeeking, G. R., and Coefield, S.: In situ measurements of trace gases, PM, and aerosol optical properties during the 2017 NW US wildfire smoke event, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3905–3926, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3905-2019, 2019.
Shen, Y., Zhi, G., Jin, W., Kong, Y., Zhang, Y., Li, Z., Sun, J., Wang, Y., and Liang, Z.: Beijing air quality and light absorption coefficients dataset 2023, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18552344, 2026.
Shiraiwa, M., Kondo, Y., Iwamoto, T., and Kita, K.: Amplification of light absorption of black carbon by organic coating, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 44, 46–54, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820903357686, 2010.
Song, J., Saathoff, H., Gao, L., Gebhardt, R., Jiang, F., Vallon, M., Bauer, J., Norra, S., and Leisner, T.: Variations of PM2.5 sources in the context of meteorology and seasonality at an urban street canyon in southwest Germany, Atmos. Environ., 282, 119147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119147, 2022.
Sun, J., Zhi, G., Hitzenberger, R., Chen, Y., Tian, C., Zhang, Y., Feng, Y., Cheng, M., Zhang, Y., Cai, J., Chen, F., Qiu, Y., Jiang, Z., Li, J., Zhang, G., and Mo, Y.: Emission factors and light absorption properties of brown carbon from household coal combustion in China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 4769–4780, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4769-2017, 2017.
Sun, J., Zhang, Y., Zhi, G., Hitzenberger, R., Jin, W., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Tian, C., Li, Z., Chen, R., Xiao, W., Cheng, Y., Yang, W., Yao, L., Cao, Y., Huang, D., Qiu, Y., Xu, J., Xia, X., Yang, X., Zhang, X., Zong, Z., Song, Y., and Wu, C.: Brown carbon's emission factors and optical characteristics in household biomass burning: developing a novel algorithm for estimating the contribution of brown carbon, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2329–2341, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2329-2021, 2021.
Thuillier, G., Hersé, M., Labs, D., Foujols, T., Peetermans, W., Gillotay, D., Simon, P. C., and Mandel, H.: The Solar Spectral Irradiance from 200 to 2400 nm as Measured by the SOLSPEC Spectrometer from the Atlas and Eureca Missions, Sol. Phys., 214, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024048429145, 2003.
Tiwari, P., Cohen, J. B., Gao, H., Lu, L., Wang, J., Dubovik, O., and Qin, K.: Microphysical evolution and column loading drive nonlinear regional contrast in black carbon top-of-atmosphere forcing, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 9149–9180, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-9149-2026, 2026.
Tohidi, R., Altuwayjiri, A., and Sioutas, C.: Investigation of organic carbon profiles and sources of coarse PM in los angeles, Environ. Pollut., 314, 120264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120264, 2022.
Wang, L., Jin, W., Sun, J., Zhi, G., Li, Z., Zhang, Y., Guo, S., He, J., and Zhao, C.: Seasonal features of brown carbon in northern China: Implications for BrC emission control, Atmos. Res., 257, 105610, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105610, 2021a.
Wang, Q., Jacob, D. J., Spackman, J. R., Perring, A. E., Schwarz, J. P., Moteki, N., Marais, E. A., Ge, C., Wang, J., and Barrett, S. R. H.: Global budget and radiative forcing of black carbon aerosol: Constraints from pole-to-pole (HIPPO) observations across the Pacific, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 119, 195–206, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JD020824, 2014.
Wang, Q., Han, Y., Ye, J., Liu, S., Pongpiachan, S., Zhang, N., Han, Y., Tian, J., Wu, C., Long, X., Zhang, Q., Zhang, W., Zhao, Z., and Cao, J.: High contribution of secondary brown carbon to aerosol light absorption in the southeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau, Geophys. Res. Lett., 46, 4962–4970, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL082731, 2019a.
Wang, Q., Ye, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, T., Ran, W., Wu, Y., Tian, J., Li, L., Zhou, Y., Ho, S. S. H., Dang, B., Zhang, Q., Zhang, R., Chen, Y., Zhu, C., and Cao, J.: Wintertime optical properties of primary and secondary brown carbon at a regional site in the North China Plain, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 12389–12397, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b03406, 2019b.
Wang, Q., Liu, H., Ye, J., Tian, J., Zhang, T., Zhang, Y., Liu, S., and Cao, J.: Estimating absorption Ångström exponent of black carbon aerosol by coupling multiwavelength absorption with chemical composition, Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett., 8, 121–127, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00829, 2021b.
Wang, X., Heald, C. L., Liu, J., Weber, R. J., Campuzano-Jost, P., Jimenez, J. L., Schwarz, J. P., and Perring, A. E.: Exploring the observational constraints on the simulation of brown carbon, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 635–653, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-635-2018, 2018.
Wonaschütz, A., Hitzenberger, R., Bauer, H., Pouresmaeil, P., Klatzer, B., Caseiro, A., and Puxbaum, H.: Application of the integrating sphere method to separate the contributions of brown and black carbon in atmospheric aerosols, Environ. Sci. Technol., 43, 1141–1146, https://doi.org/10.1021/es8008503, 2009.
Wu, G., Ram, K., Fu, P., Wang, W., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., Stone, E. A., Pradhan, B. B., Dangol, P. M., Panday, A. K., Wan, X., Bai, Z., Kang, S., Zhang, Q., and Cong, Z.: Water-soluble brown carbon in atmospheric aerosols from Godavari (Nepal), a regional representative of South Asia, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 3471–3479, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b00596, 2019.
Wu, G.-M., Cong, Z.-Y., Kang, S.-C., Kawamura, K., Fu, P.-Q., Zhang, Y.-L., Wan, X., Gao, S.-P., and Liu, B.: Brown carbon in the cryosphere: Current knowledge and perspective, Adv. Clim. Change Res., 7, 82–89, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2016.06.002, 2016a.
Wu, Y., Zhang, R., Tian, P., Tao, J., Hsu, S.-C., Yan, P., Wang, Q., Cao, J., Zhang, X., and Xia, X.: Effect of ambient humidity on the light absorption amplification of black carbon in Beijing during January 2013, Atmos. Environ., 124, 217–223, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.04.041, 2016b.
Xie, C., Xu, W., Wang, J., Liu, D., Ge, X., Zhang, Q., Wang, Q., Du, W., Zhao, J., Zhou, W., Li, J., Fu, P., Wang, Z., Worsnop, D., and Sun, Y.: Light absorption enhancement of black carbon in urban Beijing in summer, Atmos. Environ., 213, 499–504, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.06.041, 2019.
Xie, Y., Zeng, L., Hu, S., Wang, T., Du, Z., Tan, T., Xu, N., Chen, S., Mao, J., Xu, F., and Hu, M.: Long-term trends of black carbon levels, sources, and radiative effects from 2013 to 2022 in Beijing, China, npj Clim. Atmos. Sci., 1, 10, https://doi.org/10.1038/s44407-025-00010-z, 2025.
Xu, X., Zhao, W., Zhang, Q., Wang, S., Fang, B., Chen, W., Venables, D. S., Wang, X., Pu, W., Wang, X., Gao, X., and Zhang, W.: Optical properties of atmospheric fine particles near Beijing during the HOPE-J3A campaign, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 6421–6439, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6421-2016, 2016.
Yang, S., Liu, Y., Chen, L., Cao, N., Wang, J., and Gao, S.: Direct radiative forcing of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol and the influencing factors over China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9335–9355, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9335-2025, 2025.
Yue, S., Bikkina, S., Gao, M., Barrie, L. A., Kawamura, K., and Fu, P.: Sources and radiative absorption of water-soluble brown carbon in the high Arctic atmosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 46, 14881–14891, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL085318, 2019.
Yus-Díez, J., Via, M., Alastuey, A., Karanasiou, A., Minguillón, M. C., Perez, N., Querol, X., Reche, C., Ivančič, M., Rigler, M., and Pandolfi, M.: Absorption enhancement of black carbon particles in a Mediterranean city and countryside: effect of particulate matter chemistry, ageing and trend analysis, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8439–8456, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8439-2022, 2022.
Zhang, R., Khalizov, A. F., Pagels, J., Zhang, D., Xue, H., and McMurry, P. H.: Variability in morphology, hygroscopicity, and optical properties of soot aerosols during atmospheric processing, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 105, 10291–10296, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0804860105, 2008.
Zhang, X., Mao, M., Yin, Y., and Tang, S.: The absorption Ångstrom exponent of black carbon with brown coatings: effects of aerosol microphysics and parameterization, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 9701–9711, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-9701-2020, 2020a.
Zhang, X., Mao, M., Chen, H., Yin, Y., and Tang, S.: Lensing effect of black carbon with brown coatings: Dominant microphysics and parameterization, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, e2020JD033549, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD033549, 2021.
Zhang, Y., Zhang, Q., Cheng, Y., Su, H., Kecorius, S., Wang, Z., Wu, Z., Hu, M., Zhu, T., Wiedensohler, A., and He, K.: Measuring the morphology and density of internally mixed black carbon with SP2 and VTDMA: new insight into the absorption enhancement of black carbon in the atmosphere, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1833–1843, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1833-2016, 2016.
Zhang, Y., Zhi, G., Tian, C., Li, S., Sun, J., Zhang, Y., and Yang, T.: Study of the details of aerosol carbon measurements in autumn and winter in Beijing, Environ. Sci. Res., 30, 1184–1192, https://doi.org/10.13198/j.issn.1001-6929.2017.02.56, 2017.
Zhang, Y., Zhi, G., Jin, W., Wang, L., Guo, S., Shi, R., Sun, J., Cheng, M., Bi, F., Gao, J., Zhang, B., Wu, J., Shi, Z., Liu, B., Wang, Z., and Li, S.: Differing effects of escalating pollution on absorption and scattering efficiencies of aerosols: Toward co-beneficial air quality enhancement and climate protection measures, Atmos. Environ., 232, 117570, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117570, 2020b.
Zhao, G., Tan, T., Zhu, Y., Hu, M., and Zhao, C.: Method to quantify black carbon aerosol light absorption enhancement with a mixing state index, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 18055–18063, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18055-2021, 2021.
Zhi, G., Chen, Y., Xue, Z., Meng, F., Cai, J., Sheng, G., and Fu, J.: Comparison of elemental and black carbon measurements during normal and heavy haze periods: implications for research, Environ. Monit. Assess., 186, 6097–6106, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3842-2, 2014.
Zhu, C., Qu, Y., Huang, H., Chen, J., Dai, W., Huang, R., and Cao, J.: Black carbon and secondary brown carbon, the dominant light absorption and direct radiative forcing contributors of the atmospheric aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau, Geophys. Res. Lett., 48, e2021GL092524, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092524, 2021.
Short summary
A novel PAX-ISS method apportions aerosol light absorption to black carbon (BC), brown carbon (BrC), and the lensing effect. Field measurements reveal BC dominance, ~10 % annual BrC contribution, and a 40.0 % average lensing role in light absorption with strong spectral-seasonal variations. We provide observational indications of BrC's shortwave "blocking effect", which offsets lensing. This approach offers robust constraints for aerosol optics and climate modeling.
A novel PAX-ISS method apportions aerosol light absorption to black carbon (BC), brown carbon...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint