Articles | Volume 26, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-5005-2026
© 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-26-5005-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Widespread occurrence of large molecular methylsiloxanes in ambient aerosols
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, IMAU, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, the Netherlands
Beatriz Sayuri Oyama
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Agne Masalaite
State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, 02300 Vilnius, Lithuania
Dipayan Paul
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
Haiyan Ni
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Hanne Noto
Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, IMAU, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, the Netherlands
Dušan Materić
Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, IMAU, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, the Netherlands
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
Maria de Fátima Andrade
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Ru-Jin Huang
State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Key Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
Ulrike Dusek
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
Video abstract
Newly recognized pollutant widely present in atmosphere P. Yao et al. https://youtu.be/ug0LYPyaiPI
Editorial statement
In recent years, there has been much interest in the extent and effects of synthetic chemicals on the environment. This work presents a novel technique used for the study of methylsiloxanes in atmospheric aerosol, a less well studied class of molecules used in lubricants, among other applications. The evidence presented shows they are present in the atmosphere at a surprisingly wide variety of scales.
In recent years, there has been much interest in the extent and effects of synthetic chemicals...
Short summary
We identify a previously unrecognized class of synthetic organic compounds, large molecular methylsiloxanes, in ambient aerosols across diverse environments in three countries. These compounds are present at substantial levels, primarily originating from traffic emissions related to engine lubrication. Their high abundance and significant daily human exposure suggest potential, yet still poorly understood, implications for both health and climate.
We identify a previously unrecognized class of synthetic organic compounds, large molecular...
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