Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121794
Shuo Wang , Wenqing Xu , Chang Liu , Jun Wang , Zhiming Yi , Liang Xu , Jing Han , Guangzhi Ren , Dianguo Zhang , Wenqing Wang , Weijun Li
Aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI) for marine-continental mixed aerosols (MCMA) in coastal zones remain poorly constrained in climate models. Combining aircraft observations and WRF simulations during a spring 2023 North China precipitation event, we demonstrate distinct vertical stratification: MCMA dominates below 3000 m with variable activation (4.2 %) due to compositional complexity, while continental aerosols (CA) prevail above 3000 m with lower activation (2.1 %) from homogeneous properties. MCMA's broader size distribution (enhanced giant aerosols >0.5 μm), yielding higher cloud droplet concentrations (Nc) but lower spectral dispersion (ε) than CA (Nc = 96.6 cm−3, ε = 0.263 vs. Nc = 57.5 cm−3, ε = 0.375). Integrating observed aerosol data into WRF revealed that parameterizing ε-Nc relationships under MCMA improves cloud microphysics representation, capturing cloud-water mixing ratios (up to 0.44 g kg−1) and precipitation patterns. Results highlight the critical role of aerosol mixing states in modulating cloud processes and necessitate refined parameterizations for coastal aerosols in climate models.
沿海地区海洋-大陆混合气溶胶（MCMA）的气溶胶-云相互作用（ACI）在气候模式中仍然缺乏约束。结合2023年春季华北降水事件的飞机观测和WRF模拟，我们发现了明显的垂直分层：MCMA在3000 m以下占主导地位，由于成分复杂性而具有可变激活（4.2%），而大陆气溶胶（CA）在3000 m以上占主导地位，由于均匀性而具有较低的激活（2.1%）。MCMA的尺寸分布更宽（增强的巨型气溶胶>；0.5 μm），产生比CA更高的云滴浓度（Nc）但更低的光谱色散（ε） （Nc = 96.6 cm−3,ε = 0.263 vs. Nc = 57.5 cm−3,ε = 0.375）。将观测到的气溶胶数据整合到WRF中表明，在MCMA下参数化ε-Nc关系可以改善云微物理表征，捕获云水混合比（高达0.44 g kg - 1）和降水模式。结果强调了气溶胶混合状态在调节云过程中的关键作用，并且需要在气候模式中对沿海气溶胶进行精细的参数化。
{"title":"Intrusion of Marine-continental mixed aerosols disturb cloud properties","authors":"Shuo Wang , Wenqing Xu , Chang Liu , Jun Wang , Zhiming Yi , Liang Xu , Jing Han , Guangzhi Ren , Dianguo Zhang , Wenqing Wang , Weijun Li","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121794","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121794","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI) for marine-continental mixed aerosols (MCMA) in coastal zones remain poorly constrained in climate models. Combining aircraft observations and WRF simulations during a spring 2023 North China precipitation event, we demonstrate distinct vertical stratification: MCMA dominates below 3000 m with variable activation (4.2 %) due to compositional complexity, while continental aerosols (CA) prevail above 3000 m with lower activation (2.1 %) from homogeneous properties. MCMA's broader size distribution (enhanced giant aerosols >0.5 μm), yielding higher cloud droplet concentrations (N<sub>c</sub>) but lower spectral dispersion (ε) than CA (N<sub>c</sub> = 96.6 cm<sup>−3</sup>, ε = 0.263 vs. N<sub>c</sub> = 57.5 cm<sup>−3</sup>, ε = 0.375). Integrating observed aerosol data into WRF revealed that parameterizing ε-N<sub>c</sub> relationships under MCMA improves cloud microphysics representation, capturing cloud-water mixing ratios (up to 0.44 g kg<sup>−1</sup>) and precipitation patterns. Results highlight the critical role of aerosol mixing states in modulating cloud processes and necessitate refined parameterizations for coastal aerosols in climate models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"370 ","pages":"Article 121794"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146026189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121798
Lihang Fan , Guangjian Wu , Jing Gao , Ju Huang , Gebanruo Chen
The vertical distribution of aerosols is crucial for constraining their sources and transport mechanisms. However, high-precision in situ aerosol measurements remain limited in high-altitude regions. Here, we present the first high-resolution in situ vertical profiles of aerosol number concentration (Na) obtained from a tethered balloon at the Qomolangma (Mt. Everest) Station (QOMS) from May 14 to 26, 2022. Fourteen vertical profiles were categorized into three types using K-means clustering analysis: (I) high-altitude single-peak profiles, (II) linearly decreasing profiles, and (III) surface-accumulation profiles. Type I was associated with long-range transport of aerosols from North Africa and South Asia via the westerly jet stream and the South Asian monsoon, respectively, with a peak aerosol number concentration reaching 110 cm−3. Types II and III were related to the diurnal evolution of planetary boundary layer, dominated by local emissions. In Type III, the combined effects of a shallow planetary boundary layer and strong temperature inversions (inversion layer intensity: 0.26 °C per 100 m) led to the accumulation of aerosols near the surface, resulting in a surface aerosol number concentration of 203 cm−3. Analyses of effective diameter and backward trajectory models revealed a clear vertical stratification of aerosol sources, with ∼6 km a.s.l. acting as a critical boundary: Below this altitude, aerosols were mainly originated from local and regional (South Asia) sources, exhibiting a bimodal particle volume size distributions with peaks at 0.45 μm and 2 μm, while above it, they were dominated by remote sources from North Africa and the Middle East, showing a unimodal particle volume size distributions. These results advance understanding of vertical aerosols distributions over the southern Tibetan Plateau, and highlight the importance of altitude-dependent source and transport processes in assessing aerosol–climate interactions.
{"title":"Vertical distribution characteristics of aerosol particles at Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) using the tethered balloon","authors":"Lihang Fan , Guangjian Wu , Jing Gao , Ju Huang , Gebanruo Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The vertical distribution of aerosols is crucial for constraining their sources and transport mechanisms. However, high-precision in situ aerosol measurements remain limited in high-altitude regions. Here, we present the first high-resolution in situ vertical profiles of aerosol number concentration (N<sub>a</sub>) obtained from a tethered balloon at the Qomolangma (Mt. Everest) Station (QOMS) from May 14 to 26, 2022. Fourteen vertical profiles were categorized into three types using K-means clustering analysis: (I) high-altitude single-peak profiles, (II) linearly decreasing profiles, and (III) surface-accumulation profiles. Type I was associated with long-range transport of aerosols from North Africa and South Asia via the westerly jet stream and the South Asian monsoon, respectively, with a peak aerosol number concentration reaching 110 cm<sup>−3</sup>. Types II and III were related to the diurnal evolution of planetary boundary layer, dominated by local emissions. In Type III, the combined effects of a shallow planetary boundary layer and strong temperature inversions (inversion layer intensity: 0.26 °C per 100 m) led to the accumulation of aerosols near the surface, resulting in a surface aerosol number concentration of 203 cm<sup>−3</sup>. Analyses of effective diameter and backward trajectory models revealed a clear vertical stratification of aerosol sources, with ∼6 km a.s.l. acting as a critical boundary: Below this altitude, aerosols were mainly originated from local and regional (South Asia) sources, exhibiting a bimodal particle volume size distributions with peaks at 0.45 μm and 2 μm, while above it, they were dominated by remote sources from North Africa and the Middle East, showing a unimodal particle volume size distributions. These results advance understanding of vertical aerosols distributions over the southern Tibetan Plateau, and highlight the importance of altitude-dependent source and transport processes in assessing aerosol–climate interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121798"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121797
Erik Seume , Barbara Harm-Altstädter , Lutz Bretschneider , Jan Goeing
Aerosols influence the climate system, human health, and the surfaces of machines. The ingestion of aerosols into aircraft engines leads to fouling, erosion, and performance deterioration. This study evaluates data sources used for engine deterioration modeling. For this purpose, a comparison of atmospheric composition reanalysis data with in-situ measurements of a commonly modeled and frequently occurring aerosol species, namely hydrophobic black carbon, is presented. High-resolution observations are obtained from a field campaign performed with the uncrewed aerial system ALADINA (Application of Light-weight Aircraft for Detecting IN-situ Aerosol), near the German airport Berlin-Brandenburg in October 2021. A total of 140 vertical profiles of hydrophobic black carbon and meteorological parameters are compared with mass mixing ratios extracted from two different atmospheric composition reanalysis datasets, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast Atmospheric Composition Reanalysis 4 (EAC4) and the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2). The differences between model outputs and atmospheric measurements are large. 95% of the deviations between measurements and model outputs lie under 8480% in the case of EAC4 data and under 2302% in the case of MERRA-2 data, indicating that the MERRA-2 data better represents the local conditions at the Berlin-Brandenburg airport. The deviations are mainly affected by the stability of the planetary boundary layer, showing the highest discrepancies during well-mixed conditions. The results imply the need to create models in airport proximity that represent currently parametrized micro-scale emission phenomena.
{"title":"Enhancing aerosol ingestion estimates in airport proximity for modeling aircraft engine deterioration - a case study for black carbon","authors":"Erik Seume , Barbara Harm-Altstädter , Lutz Bretschneider , Jan Goeing","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aerosols influence the climate system, human health, and the surfaces of machines. The ingestion of aerosols into aircraft engines leads to fouling, erosion, and performance deterioration. This study evaluates data sources used for engine deterioration modeling. For this purpose, a comparison of atmospheric composition reanalysis data with in-situ measurements of a commonly modeled and frequently occurring aerosol species, namely hydrophobic black carbon, is presented. High-resolution observations are obtained from a field campaign performed with the uncrewed aerial system ALADINA (Application of Light-weight Aircraft for Detecting IN-situ Aerosol), near the German airport Berlin-Brandenburg in October 2021. A total of 140 vertical profiles of hydrophobic black carbon and meteorological parameters are compared with mass mixing ratios extracted from two different atmospheric composition reanalysis datasets, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast Atmospheric Composition Reanalysis 4 (EAC4) and the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2). The differences between model outputs and atmospheric measurements are large. 95% of the deviations between measurements and model outputs lie under 8480% in the case of EAC4 data and under 2302% in the case of MERRA-2 data, indicating that the MERRA-2 data better represents the local conditions at the Berlin-Brandenburg airport. The deviations are mainly affected by the stability of the planetary boundary layer, showing the highest discrepancies during well-mixed conditions. The results imply the need to create models in airport proximity that represent currently parametrized micro-scale emission phenomena.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121797"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121795
Jiaxin Cao, Xingfeng Wang, Anqi Wang, Zibing Yuan
As a common precursor to both fine particulates (PM2.5) and O3, ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) require accurate source tracing to enable targeted emission reductions. This study developed an enhanced source tracing framework integrating four key components: (1) gridded speciated sampling at 80 stations across the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China, conducted from 2021 to 2023; (2) an optimized Positive Matrix Factorization model with source-specific species pairs and their initial ratios determined from a localized database to account for VOC photochemical aging; (3) a multi-site spatial aggregation weighted potential source contribution function for tracking emission hotspots; and (4) a novel method to quantitatively assess the influences of emission and meteorological condition on inter-campaign variability in VOC levels. Nine major VOC sources were identified, with solvent use (30.2 %), gasoline vehicle exhaust (16.7 %), and industrial process (12.3 %) being the dominant anthropogenic sources. Regionally, emission reductions were the primary driver of the declining contribution from gasoline vehicle exhaust. In contrast, meteorological conditions exhibited location- and campaign-specific impacts, and even counteracted emission-driven trends in some cases, especially in the coastal area such as Hong Kong. The surge in solvent use contributions across the PRD during Campaign 4 was mainly meteorology-driven, whereas Dongguan's spike was primarily emission-driven. Industrial process contributions showed a meteorology-driven bimodal pattern, exemplified by Hong Kong where upwind transport led to a 17.7-fold concentration increase during Campaign 2. This source tracing framework enables high-resolution mapping of VOC emission variations, thereby providing robust scientific support for formulating dynamic, location-specific VOC mitigation strategies.
{"title":"Assessment of emission and meteorological influences on the ambient volatile organic compounds based on spatially resolved source tracing","authors":"Jiaxin Cao, Xingfeng Wang, Anqi Wang, Zibing Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As a common precursor to both fine particulates (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) and O<sub>3</sub>, ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) require accurate source tracing to enable targeted emission reductions. This study developed an enhanced source tracing framework integrating four key components: (1) gridded speciated sampling at 80 stations across the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China, conducted from 2021 to 2023; (2) an optimized Positive Matrix Factorization model with source-specific species pairs and their initial ratios determined from a localized database to account for VOC photochemical aging; (3) a multi-site spatial aggregation weighted potential source contribution function for tracking emission hotspots; and (4) a novel method to quantitatively assess the influences of emission and meteorological condition on inter-campaign variability in VOC levels. Nine major VOC sources were identified, with solvent use (30.2 %), gasoline vehicle exhaust (16.7 %), and industrial process (12.3 %) being the dominant anthropogenic sources. Regionally, emission reductions were the primary driver of the declining contribution from gasoline vehicle exhaust. In contrast, meteorological conditions exhibited location- and campaign-specific impacts, and even counteracted emission-driven trends in some cases, especially in the coastal area such as Hong Kong. The surge in solvent use contributions across the PRD during Campaign 4 was mainly meteorology-driven, whereas Dongguan's spike was primarily emission-driven. Industrial process contributions showed a meteorology-driven bimodal pattern, exemplified by Hong Kong where upwind transport led to a 17.7-fold concentration increase during Campaign 2. This source tracing framework enables high-resolution mapping of VOC emission variations, thereby providing robust scientific support for formulating dynamic, location-specific VOC mitigation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121795"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121790
Anuj Shrivastava , David Konwar , Deepika Bhattu
This study investigates six indoor micro-environments on a residential university campus to assess the impact of sources/activities, occupancy, and ventilation on aerosol properties. Particle number concentration and size distributions were measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), along with CO2 levels, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Average PM10 concentrations were within WHO limits (45 μg m−3), with a 2-fold increase in PM mass in the administrative office due to higher occupancy. PM mass also increased by 2–5 times in naturally ventilated spaces compared to mechanically ventilated classrooms and hostel rooms. Similar patterns were observed in mess and canteen areas, where fine aerosol levels were higher. Although cooking activity in the kitchen led to high VOC concentrations (∼7 ppm), this did not significantly affect particle mass due to sub-micron dominance. Furthermore, infiltration of outdoor aerosol was evident in hostel rooms and classrooms, where the loss rates of coarser particles were higher. Despite the hostel room's larger room surface area-to-volume ratio and lower ventilation, the total PM concentration was higher than in the classrooms due to additional indoor sources. The highest PM exposure and respiratory deposition occurred in environments affected by outdoor infiltration, such as hostel rooms and classrooms with open windows. Based on International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) model, the highest mass deposition occurred in the head airways (71–81 %), followed by the pulmonary (12–22 %) and the lung (6–7 %) airways. Our findings highlight that PM concentration and deposition are influenced by multiple factors in each micro-environment, emphasizing the need for comprehensive IAQ assessments in building design.
{"title":"Indoor air quality and health exposure in an educational campus in Western India","authors":"Anuj Shrivastava , David Konwar , Deepika Bhattu","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121790","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121790","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates six indoor micro-environments on a residential university campus to assess the impact of sources/activities, occupancy, and ventilation on aerosol properties. Particle number concentration and size distributions were measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), along with CO<sub>2</sub> levels, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Average PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations were within WHO limits (45 μg m<sup>−3</sup>), with a 2-fold increase in PM mass in the administrative office due to higher occupancy. PM mass also increased by 2–5 times in naturally ventilated spaces compared to mechanically ventilated classrooms and hostel rooms. Similar patterns were observed in mess and canteen areas, where fine aerosol levels were higher. Although cooking activity in the kitchen led to high VOC concentrations (∼7 ppm), this did not significantly affect particle mass due to sub-micron dominance. Furthermore, infiltration of outdoor aerosol was evident in hostel rooms and classrooms, where the loss rates of coarser particles were higher. Despite the hostel room's larger room surface area-to-volume ratio and lower ventilation, the total PM concentration was higher than in the classrooms due to additional indoor sources. The highest PM exposure and respiratory deposition occurred in environments affected by outdoor infiltration, such as hostel rooms and classrooms with open windows. Based on International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) model, the highest mass deposition occurred in the head airways (71–81 %), followed by the pulmonary (12–22 %) and the lung (6–7 %) airways. Our findings highlight that PM concentration and deposition are influenced by multiple factors in each micro-environment, emphasizing the need for comprehensive IAQ assessments in building design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121790"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nitrogenous organic compounds are increasingly garnering attention in the atmospheric environment and climate research due to their significant influence on the formation of secondary organic aerosol. New particle formation (NPF) is an essential source of aerosol formation. Ambient observations and theoretical calculations have demonstrated that Glycine (Gly), one of the most important organic nitrogen compounds, can enhance sulfuric acid (SA)-dominated NPF in metropolis environments. With the global reduction in SA levels due to stricter SO2 emission controls, nucleation driven by methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and methylamine (MA) has gained significant attention. However, the underlying mechanisms and the impact of Gly on MSA-MA clusters formation under varying atmospheric conditions remain poorly ambiguous. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with the Atmospheric Clusters Dynamic Code (ACDC) simulations, were employed to investigate the formation of (MSA)x·(MA)y·(Gly)z (y ≤ x + z ≤ 3) clusters. The findings revealed that Gly can significantly boost the formation rates of MSA-MA nucleation by up to 6 orders of magnitude, particularly in polluted atmospheric boundary layers with MSA concentrations approximating 108 molecules·cm−3. Simultaneously, in regions with low temperatures, high [Gly] (109 molecules·cm−3), [MA] (2.5 × 109 molecules·cm−3) and low [MSA] (106 molecules·cm−3), Gly-inclusive clusters contribute up to 18 %. Notably, the NPF mechanism indicates that Gly enhances the development of initial clusters via a catalytic effect and is directly involved in the growth of pivotal clusters. This finding is corroborated by the traced cluster formation pathways observed in highly polluted megacities with winter. This research endeavors to offer a deeper comprehension of previously unidentified sources of NPF in the pollution areas and aid in constructing a more detailed multi-species nucleation model tailored for such regions.
{"title":"The enhanced role of glycine in methanesulfonic acid-methylamine-driven nucleation in urban aerosols and coastal industrial regions","authors":"Shuqin Wei, Kaiyu Xue, Xiaokai Guo, Wenyuan He, Tianlei Zhang, Rui Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nitrogenous organic compounds are increasingly garnering attention in the atmospheric environment and climate research due to their significant influence on the formation of secondary organic aerosol. New particle formation (NPF) is an essential source of aerosol formation. Ambient observations and theoretical calculations have demonstrated that Glycine (Gly), one of the most important organic nitrogen compounds, can enhance sulfuric acid (SA)-dominated NPF in metropolis environments. With the global reduction in SA levels due to stricter SO<sub>2</sub> emission controls, nucleation driven by methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and methylamine (MA) has gained significant attention. However, the underlying mechanisms and the impact of Gly on MSA-MA clusters formation under varying atmospheric conditions remain poorly ambiguous. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with the Atmospheric Clusters Dynamic Code (ACDC) simulations, were employed to investigate the formation of (MSA)<sub><em>x</em></sub>·(MA)<sub><em>y</em></sub>·(Gly)<sub><em>z</em></sub> (<em>y</em> ≤ <em>x</em> + <em>z</em> ≤ 3) clusters. The findings revealed that Gly can significantly boost the formation rates of MSA-MA nucleation by up to 6 orders of magnitude, particularly in polluted atmospheric boundary layers with MSA concentrations approximating 10<sup>8</sup> molecules·cm<sup>−3</sup>. Simultaneously, in regions with low temperatures, high [Gly] (10<sup>9</sup> molecules·cm<sup>−3</sup>), [MA] (2.5 × 10<sup>9</sup> molecules·cm<sup>−3</sup>) and low [MSA] (10<sup>6</sup> molecules·cm<sup>−3</sup>), Gly-inclusive clusters contribute up to 18 %. Notably, the NPF mechanism indicates that Gly enhances the development of initial clusters via a catalytic effect and is directly involved in the growth of pivotal clusters. This finding is corroborated by the traced cluster formation pathways observed in highly polluted megacities with winter. This research endeavors to offer a deeper comprehension of previously unidentified sources of NPF in the pollution areas and aid in constructing a more detailed multi-species nucleation model tailored for such regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121792"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121793
Jingqi Bai, Libin Wu, Qingzi Zhao, Ke Xin, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Pingqing Fu
Stable nitrogen isotope analysis serves as a powerful tool for tracing the sources and transformation pathways of nitrogen-containing aerosols, which significantly influence atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and environmental processes. This review comprehensively synthesizes the application of stable nitrogen isotopes for the analysis of various forms of nitrogen in atmospheric aerosols, including ammonium, nitrate, and organic nitrogen, as well as atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO). We summarize key measurement techniques and analytical frameworks, with a particular emphasis on stable isotope mixing models-especially Bayesian methods-for source apportionment and the evaluation of isotope fractionation. The review delineates distinct stable nitrogen isotope signatures of major sources (e.g., fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, biomass burning) and elucidates the spatiotemporal variability of isotopic compositions driven by anthropogenic activities and natural processes. Despite advances in the stable isotope analysis of nitrogen-containing aerosols, several challenges remain, particularly concerning nitrogen isotope fractionation processes and the complexity of organic nitrogen species. Finally, we propose that future studies should refine the database of isotope characteristics from various sources, enhance the analytical precision of measurement techniques, and integrate multi-method approaches to better understand nitrogen cycles and mitigate the environmental impacts of nitrogen-containing aerosols.
{"title":"Use of stable nitrogen isotopes in atmospheric aerosol research","authors":"Jingqi Bai, Libin Wu, Qingzi Zhao, Ke Xin, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Pingqing Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stable nitrogen isotope analysis serves as a powerful tool for tracing the sources and transformation pathways of nitrogen-containing aerosols, which significantly influence atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and environmental processes. This review comprehensively synthesizes the application of stable nitrogen isotopes for the analysis of various forms of nitrogen in atmospheric aerosols, including ammonium, nitrate, and organic nitrogen, as well as atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO). We summarize key measurement techniques and analytical frameworks, with a particular emphasis on stable isotope mixing models-especially Bayesian methods-for source apportionment and the evaluation of isotope fractionation. The review delineates distinct stable nitrogen isotope signatures of major sources (e.g., fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, biomass burning) and elucidates the spatiotemporal variability of isotopic compositions driven by anthropogenic activities and natural processes. Despite advances in the stable isotope analysis of nitrogen-containing aerosols, several challenges remain, particularly concerning nitrogen isotope fractionation processes and the complexity of organic nitrogen species. Finally, we propose that future studies should refine the database of isotope characteristics from various sources, enhance the analytical precision of measurement techniques, and integrate multi-method approaches to better understand nitrogen cycles and mitigate the environmental impacts of nitrogen-containing aerosols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121793"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121791
Chun-Yan Chen , Yun Hong , Chen-Chou Wu , Lian-Jun Bao , Eddy Y. Zeng
Potential adverse effects of indoor air quality derived from the extensive and large-scale use of baby crawling and yoga mats have been increasingly recognized. However, the potentiality of chemicals released from these products under various placement orientation has yet to be adequately addressed. To fill this knowledge gap, baby crawling and yoga mats were selected to measure the emissions of hazardous chemicals from specific surfaces under various placement orientations. The results showed that placement directions had considerable impacts on the masses of emitted formamide, diisobutyl phthalate, benzothiazole, and p-bis(2-hydroxyisopropyl)benzene with vertical placement resulting in 1.1–3.3 times more masses than horizontal placement (p < 0.05). In comparison, the amounts of emitted chlorinated paraffins, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate were comparable between the vertical and horizontal placements (0.80–1.8 times). The increased amount of formamide derived from changing placement orientation (50–60 %; from horizontal to vertical) was greater than that from temperature-induced emission (10–20 %; from 25 °C to 35 °C). The mats with waterproof layer on surface were more effective in hindering formamide emissions compared to those with bossed patterns and untreated surfaces. When yoga mats were rolled up and placed vertically, the concentrations of chemicals emitted indoor were equivalent to or even greater than those emitted from horizontally placed mats during use, even though the exposed areas were reduced. The present study demonstrated that placement direction is a pivotal factor in regulating chemical emissions, with significant implications for improving indoor air quality.
{"title":"Emissions of hazardous chemicals from baby crawling and yoga mats: Implications for indoor air quality mediated by placement orientation","authors":"Chun-Yan Chen , Yun Hong , Chen-Chou Wu , Lian-Jun Bao , Eddy Y. Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Potential adverse effects of indoor air quality derived from the extensive and large-scale use of baby crawling and yoga mats have been increasingly recognized. However, the potentiality of chemicals released from these products under various placement orientation has yet to be adequately addressed. To fill this knowledge gap, baby crawling and yoga mats were selected to measure the emissions of hazardous chemicals from specific surfaces under various placement orientations. The results showed that placement directions had considerable impacts on the masses of emitted formamide, diisobutyl phthalate, benzothiazole, and <em>p</em>-bis(2-hydroxyisopropyl)benzene with vertical placement resulting in 1.1–3.3 times more masses than horizontal placement (<em>p</em> < 0.05). In comparison, the amounts of emitted chlorinated paraffins, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate were comparable between the vertical and horizontal placements (0.80–1.8 times). The increased amount of formamide derived from changing placement orientation (50–60 %; from horizontal to vertical) was greater than that from temperature-induced emission (10–20 %; from 25 °C to 35 °C). The mats with waterproof layer on surface were more effective in hindering formamide emissions compared to those with bossed patterns and untreated surfaces. When yoga mats were rolled up and placed vertically, the concentrations of chemicals emitted indoor were equivalent to or even greater than those emitted from horizontally placed mats during use, even though the exposed areas were reduced. The present study demonstrated that placement direction is a pivotal factor in regulating chemical emissions, with significant implications for improving indoor air quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121791"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121788
André Luiz dos Reis , Janaina Nascimento , Angel L. Vara-Vela , Dirceu Luis Herdies
The impact of emissions from large urban centers on atmospheric chemistry and regional climate is a central issue in atmospheric sciences. This study uses WRF-Chem and GoAmazon2014/5 data to assess how urban and forest emissions interact to influence cloud properties in the Amazon. The region around Manaus, in the central Amazon, provides a unique environment for this study worldwide. During the wet season, clean air masses transported by trade winds interact with urban emissions, altering the atmosphere's chemical composition and impacting clouds microphysical and radiative properties. The interaction between urban emissions from Manaus and emissions from the Amazon rainforest modulates aerosol concentration and size. Polluted clouds exhibit a smaller effective radius (De), while liquid water content (LWC) and cloud droplet number concentration (DNC) are higher. In background areas, the DNC is approximately 50 cm−3 and exceeds 150 cm−3 under highly polluted conditions. The higher LWC observed in polluted clouds is associated with the increased DNC, while the smaller De may delay the onset of rainfall. The amount of water vapor available in the atmosphere and the level of supersaturation determine how urban emissions influence the microphysical processes of cloud formation. Under low LWC conditions, warm precipitation is suppressed, while for high LWC (above 0.75 g m−3), the De increases until reaching levels associated with precipitation. These results highlight that the spatial and temporal variation in CCN concentration, modulated by the interaction between urban emissions and those from the tropical rainforest, plays a significant role in cloud microphysical processes in the central Amazon.
大城市排放对大气化学和区域气候的影响是大气科学的一个中心问题。本研究使用WRF-Chem和GoAmazon2014/5数据来评估城市和森林排放如何相互作用以影响亚马逊地区的云特性。位于亚马逊中部的玛瑙斯周围地区为这项研究提供了一个独特的全球环境。在雨季，信风输送的清洁气团与城市排放物相互作用，改变大气的化学成分并影响云的微物理和辐射特性。玛瑙斯的城市排放与亚马逊雨林的排放之间的相互作用调节了气溶胶的浓度和大小。污染云的有效半径（De）较小，而液态水含量（LWC）和云滴数浓度（DNC）较高。在背景区域，DNC约为50 cm - 3，在高污染条件下超过150 cm - 3。在污染云中观测到的高LWC与DNC增加有关，而较小的De可能延迟降雨的开始。大气中可用的水蒸气量和过饱和水平决定了城市排放如何影响云形成的微物理过程。在低LWC条件下，暖降水被抑制，而在高LWC条件下（大于0.75 g m−3），De增加，直到达到与降水相关的水平。这些结果表明，受城市排放和热带雨林排放相互作用调节的CCN浓度时空变化在亚马逊中部云微物理过程中起着重要作用。
{"title":"Urban pollution effects on warm-cloud microphysics in the central Amazon Basin: A WRF-Chem and GoAmazon2014/5 analysis","authors":"André Luiz dos Reis , Janaina Nascimento , Angel L. Vara-Vela , Dirceu Luis Herdies","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The impact of emissions from large urban centers on atmospheric chemistry and regional climate is a central issue in atmospheric sciences. This study uses WRF-Chem and GoAmazon2014/5 data to assess how urban and forest emissions interact to influence cloud properties in the Amazon. The region around Manaus, in the central Amazon, provides a unique environment for this study worldwide. During the wet season, clean air masses transported by trade winds interact with urban emissions, altering the atmosphere's chemical composition and impacting clouds microphysical and radiative properties. The interaction between urban emissions from Manaus and emissions from the Amazon rainforest modulates aerosol concentration and size. Polluted clouds exhibit a smaller effective radius (De), while liquid water content (LWC) and cloud droplet number concentration (DNC) are higher. In background areas, the DNC is approximately 50 cm<sup>−3</sup> and exceeds 150 cm<sup>−3</sup> under highly polluted conditions. The higher LWC observed in polluted clouds is associated with the increased DNC, while the smaller De may delay the onset of rainfall. The amount of water vapor available in the atmosphere and the level of supersaturation determine how urban emissions influence the microphysical processes of cloud formation. Under low LWC conditions, warm precipitation is suppressed, while for high LWC (above 0.75 g m<sup>−3</sup>), the De increases until reaching levels associated with precipitation. These results highlight that the spatial and temporal variation in CCN concentration, modulated by the interaction between urban emissions and those from the tropical rainforest, plays a significant role in cloud microphysical processes in the central Amazon.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121788"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121789
Swagata Mukhopadhyay , Shantikumar S. Ningombam , Akihiro Uchiyama , Sonam Jorphail , Chiranjeevi G. Vivek , T.S. Shrungeshwara , Sreedevi P. , Tsuneo Matsunaga , Som K. Sharma , Pawan Gupta , Dorje Angchuk , Sridevi Jade
Sun–sky radiometer (model POM-01) is commonly used for studying aerosol optical and physical properties at selected aerosol-specific channels. Although the instrument is equipped with a precipitable water vapor (PWV) channel at 940 nm, the inbuilt software does not provide a tool for estimation of PWV. Hence, the current study adopted a new methodology to estimate PWV from three high-altitude ( 3400 m MSL) sites, Hanle, Merak, and Leh, located in Ladakh, India. The retrieval algorithm focuses on the precise estimation of the calibration constant () and coefficients and using modified Langley plots in two different methods. The estimated average value of is 0.59 ± 0.09 which is very close to those commonly used in global studies. Further, the estimated and values from both methods are found to be similar, which may be due to the advantages of the dry and high-altitude environment, where the annual total column water vapor is typically less than 6 mm. The estimated PWV using observations at selected full clear and stable atmospheric conditions compares well with satellite, AERONET, GPS, reanalysis and empirical model data with correlation coefficient varying from 0.91 to 0.97. Further, the estimated propagated root mean square error (rmse) varies from 0.37 mm to 2.58 mm. These results indicated that sun–sky radiometer derived PWV showed good consistency with the derived PWV from independent data sources at the three sites.
{"title":"Retrieval of precipitable water vapor from sun–sky radiometer (POM-01) at 940 nm absorption band: Calibration, measurement and validation","authors":"Swagata Mukhopadhyay , Shantikumar S. Ningombam , Akihiro Uchiyama , Sonam Jorphail , Chiranjeevi G. Vivek , T.S. Shrungeshwara , Sreedevi P. , Tsuneo Matsunaga , Som K. Sharma , Pawan Gupta , Dorje Angchuk , Sridevi Jade","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sun–sky radiometer (model POM-01) is commonly used for studying aerosol optical and physical properties at selected aerosol-specific channels. Although the instrument is equipped with a precipitable water vapor (PWV) channel at 940 nm, the inbuilt software does not provide a tool for estimation of PWV. Hence, the current study adopted a new methodology to estimate PWV from three high-altitude (<span><math><mo>></mo></math></span> 3400 m MSL) sites, Hanle, Merak, and Leh, located in Ladakh, India. The retrieval algorithm focuses on the precise estimation of the calibration constant (<span><math><msub><mrow><mi>V</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>) and coefficients <span><math><mi>a</mi></math></span> and <span><math><mi>b</mi></math></span> using modified Langley plots in two different methods. The estimated average value of <span><math><mi>b</mi></math></span> is 0.59 ± 0.09 which is very close to those commonly used in global studies. Further, the estimated <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>V</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> and <span><math><mi>b</mi></math></span> values from both methods are found to be similar, which may be due to the advantages of the dry and high-altitude environment, where the annual total column water vapor is typically less than 6 mm. The estimated PWV using observations at selected full clear and stable atmospheric conditions compares well with satellite, AERONET, GPS, reanalysis and empirical model data with correlation coefficient varying from 0.91 to 0.97. Further, the estimated propagated root mean square error (rmse) varies from 0.37 mm to 2.58 mm. These results indicated that sun–sky radiometer derived PWV showed good consistency with the derived PWV from independent data sources at the three sites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 121789"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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