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Liu Y, Deng Y, Liu J, Fang X, Wang T, Li K, Gong K, Bacha AU, Nabi I, Ge Q, Zhang X, George C, Zhang L. A novel pathway of atmospheric sulfate formation through carbonate radicals. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 2022; 22:9175-9197. [DOI: 10.5194/acp-22-9175-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract. Carbon dioxide is considered an inert gas that rarely participates in atmospheric chemical reactions. Nonetheless, we show here that CO2 is involved in some important photo-oxidation reactions in the atmosphere through the formation of carbonate radicals (CO3⚫-). This potentially active intermediate CO3⚫- is routinely overlooked in atmospheric chemistry concerning its effect on sulfate formation. The present work demonstrates that the SO2 uptake coefficient is enhanced by 17 times on mineral dust particles driven by CO3⚫-. Importantly, upon irradiation, mineral dust particles are speculated to produce gas-phase carbonate radical ions when the atmospherically relevant concentration of CO2 presents, thereby potentially promoting external sulfate aerosol formation and oxidative potential in the atmosphere. Employing a suite of laboratory investigations of sulfate formation in the presence of carbonate radicals on the model and authentic dust particles, ground-based field measurements of sulfate and (bi)carbonate ions within ambient PM, together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations for single electron transfer processes in terms of CO3⚫--initiated S(IV) oxidation, a novel role of carbonate radical in atmospheric chemistry is elucidated.
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Yang J, Wang S, Zhang R, Yin S. Elevated particle acidity enhanced the sulfate formation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zhengzhou, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 296:118716. [PMID: 34933059 PMCID: PMC8684291 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The significant reduction in PM2.5 mass concentration after the outbreak of COVID-19 provided a unique opportunity further to study the formation mechanism of secondary inorganic aerosols. Hourly data of chemical components in PM2.5, gaseous pollutants, and meteorological data were obtained from January 1 to 23, 2020 (pre-lockdown) and January 24 to February 17, 2020 (COVID-lockdown) in Zhengzhou, China. Sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium were the main components of PM2.5 during both the pre-lockdown and COVID-lockdown periods. Compared with the pre-lockdown period, even though the concentration and proportion of nitrate decreased, nitrate was the dominant component in PM2.5 during the COVID-lockdown period. Moreover, nitrate production was enhanced by the elevated O3 concentration, which was favorable for the homogeneous and hydrolysis nitrate formation despite the drastic decrease of NO2. The proportion of sulfate during the COVID-lockdown period was higher than that before. Aqueous-phase reactions of H2O2 and transition metal (TMI) catalyzed oxidations were the major pathways for sulfate formation. During the COVID-lockdown period, TMI-catalyzed oxidation became the dominant pathway for aqueous-phase sulfate formation because the elevated acidity favored the dissolution of TMI. Therefore, the enhanced TMI-catalyzed oxidation affected by the elevated particle acidity dominated the sulfate formation, resulting in the slight increase of sulfate concentration during the COVID-lockdown period in Zhengzhou.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieru Yang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, China
| | - Shenbo Wang
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ruiqin Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Shasha Yin
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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Song X, Jia J, Wu F, Niu H, Ma Q, Guo B, Shao L, Zhang D. Local emissions and secondary pollutants cause severe PM 2.5 elevation in urban air at the south edge of the North China Plain: Results from winter haze of 2017-2018 at a mega city. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 802:149630. [PMID: 34454137 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Severe haze occurrence in the north of the North China Plain (NCP) is recognized as a consequence of the regional transport of pollutants initially from the south and then the rapid formation of secondary pollutants in the local air. However, the origin of pollutants causing haze in the southern NCP has not yet been elucidated even through careful data observation. Based on the contents of water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.5 samples collected during two severe haze episodes in Zhengzhou, a mega city located on the southern edge of the NCP, we estimated the contributions of local primary emissions and secondary pollutants to haze occurrence. On average, Na+, K+, and Ca2+ mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, and their anthropogenic fractions had proportions of 97.5%, 93.9%, and 76.5% in their respective total mass. Anions Cl- and SO42- substantially originated from not only produced substantially via secondary formation but also from primary emissions, and their primary proportions in their respective total mass were 51.1% and 30.8%. In contrast, NH4+ and NO3- were dominated by secondary formation. The increase in PM2.5 was mainly caused by the formation of secondary inorganic (29.1%) and organic species (57.2%) and the primary anthropogenic emissions (12.5%). These results indicated that the haze at the southern edge of the NCP was mainly caused by pollutants in the local areas. Compared to the haze in the northern NCP, the haze in the southern NCP edge had a higher PM2.5 mass concentration and a higher proportion of secondary species, but a lower proportion of primary species, indicating the high heterogeneity of winter haze over the NCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Song
- College of Geosciences and Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Jia Jia
- College of Geosciences and Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Fang Wu
- College of Geosciences and Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Hongya Niu
- School of Earth Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, China
| | - Qingxia Ma
- Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Biao Guo
- College of Geosciences and Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Longyi Shao
- College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Daizhou Zhang
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan.
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Characteristics of Particulate Matter at Different Pollution Levels in Chengdu, Southwest of China. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12080990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is becoming increasingly serious along with social and economic development in the southwest of China. The distribution characteristics of particle matter (PM) were studied in Chengdu from 2016 to 2017, and the changes of PM bearing water-soluble ions and heavy metals and the distribution of secondary ions were analyzed during the haze episode. The results showed that at different pollution levels, heavy metals were more likely to be enriched in fine particles and may be used as a tracer of primary pollution sources. The water-soluble ions in PM2.5 were mainly Sulfate-Nitrate-Ammonium (SNA) accounting for 43.02%, 24.23%, 23.50%, respectively. SO42−, NO3−, NH4+ in PM10 accounted for 34.56%, 27.43%, 19.18%, respectively. It was mainly SO42− in PM at Clean levels (PM2.5 = 0~75 μg/m3, PM10 = 0~150 μg/m3), and mainly NH4+ and NO3− at Light-Medium levels (PM2.5 = 75~150 μg/m3, PM10 = 150~350 μg/m3). At Heavy levels (PM2.5 = 150~250 μg/m3, PM10 = 350~420 μg/m3), it is mainly SO42− in PM2.5, and mainly NH4+ and NO3− in PM10. The contribution of mobile sources to the formation of haze in the study area was significant. SNA had significant contributions to the PM during the haze episode, and more attention should be paid to them in order to improve air quality.
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Tang J, Song D, Ji W, Fan L. Effects of Early Pollution Control Measures on Secondary Species of PM 2.5 in Jiaozuo, China. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:1149-1159. [PMID: 33490774 PMCID: PMC7818311 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Various measures for reducing air pollution have been promulgated since 2013 in China. To investigate the synergistic results of emission control and meteorological environment, PM2.5 samples collected from October 2013 to July 2016 and November 2018 to October 2019 in Jiaozuo city were analyzed for their compositions, secondary species (Ss) variations, and factors changing for Ss formation. The results showed that the concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) generally decreased over the same seasonal period during these years. In addition, the concentrations and proportions of each Ss increased with the increase in the PM2.5 level in these years, implying that although PM2.5 levels have been reduced by various control policies, Ss formation would remain the major contributor to PM elevations. The enhanced effects of gas-phase reactions on intensification of sulfate, SOA, and PM were observed in 2018-2019, which was consistent with the elevation of nitrate and SOA at PM levels of >150 μg/m3. Only sulfate in all PM levels sharply decreased after 2015, showing the fine effect of coal-related pollution control and the importance of collaborative control of NO x , volatile organic compounds, and organic aerosol emissions with SO2 emissions in the future.
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Qu Y, Chen Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Guo Y, An J. Seasonal effects of additional HONO sources and the heterogeneous reactions of N 2O 5 on nitrate in the North China Plain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 690:97-107. [PMID: 31284200 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We coupled the heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5 into the newly updated Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) to reveal the relative importance of the hydrolysis of N2O5 and additional nitrous acid (HONO) sources for the formation of nitrate during high PM2.5 events in the North China Plain (NCP) in four seasons. The results showed that additional HONO sources produced the largest nitrate concentrations in winter and negligible nitrates in summer, leading to a 10% enhancement of a PM2.5 peak in southern Beijing and a 15% enhancement in southeastern Hebei in winter. In contrast, the hydrolysis of N2O5 produced high nitrate in summer and low nitrate in winter, with the largest contribution of nearly 20% for a PM2.5 peak in southeastern Hebei in summer. During PM2.5 explosive growth events, the additional HONO sources played a key role in nitrate increases in southern Beijing and southwestern Hebei in winter, whereas the hydrolysis of N2O5 contributed the most to a rapid increase in nitrate in other seasons. HONO photolysis produced more hydroxyl radicals, which were >1.5 μg m-3 h-1 in the early explosive stage and led to a rapid nitrate increase at the southwestern Hebei sites in winter, while the heterogeneous reaction of N2O5 contributed greatly to a significant increase in nitrate in summer. The above results suggest that the additional HONO sources and the heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5 contributed the most to nitrate formation in NCP in winter and summer, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry (LAPC), Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry (LAPC), Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xingang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jingwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry (LAPC), Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yitian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry (LAPC), Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junling An
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry (LAPC), Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Center for Excellence in Urban Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 36102, China.
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