Atmospheric Environment最新文献

{"title":"O3–NOx–VOCs photochemical pollutant dispersion in 2D street canyon under effects of solar radiation","authors":"Jie Liang ,&nbsp;Jian Hang ,&nbsp;Shiguo Jia ,&nbsp;Jiajia Hua ,&nbsp;Bo Zhao ,&nbsp;Xuelin Zhang ,&nbsp;Hong Ling ,&nbsp;Ziwei Mo","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar radiation is a significant factor affecting the concentration and dispersion patterns of photochemical pollutants in urban environments. This impact is mediated through alterations in temperature and thermally-driven airflow patterns, but the full extent of these effects has not yet been quantified. To address this gap, ANSYS Fluent and APFoam were used to simulate the dispersion of photochemical pollutants in a 2D street canyon (aspect ratio = 1), incorporating the complex O₃-NO_x-VOCs chemical mechanism via the CS07 mechanism to accurately represent the chemical processes. The novelty lies in its comprehensive assessment of how solar radiation, emissions, and dynamic and chemical processes interact to affect photochemical pollution. It was found that under different radiation conditions, NO_x and O₃ concentrations exhibit distinct distribution patterns. Compared to the neutral condition, the decreased NO_x concentrations (23%) and increased O₃ concentrations (8.7%) are observed in the morning and at noon, whereas in the afternoon, NO_x concentrations rises (111%) and O₃ concentrations decreases (20%) in the canyon. At night, NO_x accumulates at the bottom of the windward side. Through sensitivity tests, we found that the primary pathway through which solar radiation affects the dispersion of photochemical pollutants is dynamic process. The pedestrian health risks of photochemical pollutants were evaluated that NO₂ health risks are more pronounced in the afternoon and at night, while O₃ risks are more severe in the morning and at noon. Overall, this study quantitatively demonstrates the significant impact of solar radiation on the photochemical pollutants and identifies the pathways of influence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121032"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308527","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}

{"title":"Assessing the impact of climate change on summertime tropospheric ozone in the Eastern Mediterranean: Insights from meteorological and air quality modeling","authors":"Reza Rezaei ,&nbsp;Gülen Güllü ,&nbsp;Alper Ünal","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the impact of climate change on tropospheric ozone (O₃) concentrations in the Eastern Mediterranean using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) models. Simulations were conducted for a historical period (2012) and a future projection (2053) under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Anthropogenic emissions were sourced from the EMEP/EEA inventory, while biogenic emissions were calculated using the MEGAN model. Model performance evaluations yielded R² (RMSE) values of 0.71–0.85 (3.33–4.9) for WRF and 0.58 (8.35) for CMAQ, indicating reasonable predictive accuracy. Under SSP5-8.5 (SSP2-4.5), the WRF model projects an average summertime temperature increase of 1.6 °C (1.2 °C) and a significant decline in precipitation across the Eastern Mediterranean. Air quality simulations show a regional increase in summertime O₃ concentrations by 3.5 ppb (3.0 ppb) under SSP5-8.5 (SSP2-4.5), with the most pronounced increases occurring in the southeast. Conversely, a significant reduction in O₃ concentrations is observed over the Marmara Sea and parts of Istanbul in both scenarios. This reduction is attributed to climate-induced processes, including accelerated O₃ photolysis in moist conditions and enhanced O₃ consumption by NO_x in the NO_x-saturated regime of the Marmara Sea region. Additionally, analyses reveal a significant increase in O₃ levels in Istanbul under SSP5-8.5, while Bursa shows notable increases under both scenarios. These findings underscore the need for targeted emission control measures to mitigate future O₃ pollution in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121036"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308485","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}

{"title":"Quantitative impacts of VOC sources on atmospheric oxidation capacity and O3 formation from a megacity in China","authors":"Sen Yao ,&nbsp;Fengjuan Fan ,&nbsp;Hongyuan Jia ,&nbsp;Shushen Yang ,&nbsp;Junmei Zhang ,&nbsp;Hanyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Wenjiao Duan","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ozone (O₃) pollution has emerged as a significant environmental concern in recent years, particularly exacerbated by enhanced atmospheric oxidation during summer. While significant progress has been made in understanding the role of precursors in O₃ formation, studies focusing on the contributions of volatile organic compound (VOC) sources to O₃ formation mechanisms remain limited. This study integrated a photochemical box model incorporating the Master Chemical Mechanism (AtChem2-MCM) with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to investigate VOC sources influences on O₃ photochemistry in Zhengzhou, a megacity in China. The sensitivities of the O₃-NOx-VOC sources were evaluated using the relative incremental reactivity (RIR), and priority sources for control were determined based on RIR, ozone formation potential (OFP), relative contribution (CTRB), and OH loss rate (L^OH). Results showed that the reaction HO₂ + NO (68.77%) dominated O₃ production, whereas OH + NO₂ (83.42%) was the primary pathway for O₃ loss. The atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) increased from 3.72 × 10⁷ molecules cm⁻³ s⁻¹ on non-O₃ pollution days to 5.69 × 10⁷ molecules cm⁻³ s⁻¹ on O₃ pollution days, with corresponding O₃ production and loss rates rising by 9.02 ppbv h⁻¹ and 0.54 ppbv h⁻¹, respectively. The RIR of mixed combustion sources (MC) was the highest among anthropogenic sources, and emergency prevention and control of O₃ should first reduce MC. Meanwhile, vehicular emissions (VE) accounted for the largest proportion of OFP, L^OH and CTRB, suggesting VE should be a long-term focus for O₃ mitigation efforts. Biogenic emissions (BE) also contributed significantly to O₃ formation and warranted attention. This integrated approach provides a robust theoretical framework for analyzing localized O₃ pollution and developing targeted mitigation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121033"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308486","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}

{"title":"Direct measurement techniques for atmospheric aerosol: Physical properties review","authors":"Yurong Zhang,&nbsp;Yong Han","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Atmospheric aerosols consist of a mixture of solid and liquid particles of complex size, phase, and chemical composition. The investigation of its physical properties holds significant scientific significance for in-depth understanding the intricate dynamics of aerosols, assessing radiation balance and climate change. So, what are the measurement techniques of the physical properties of aerosols? It is undoubtedly meaningful for us to further study the relevant scientific problems of aerosols. This review focuses on the direct measurement techniques of aerosols physical properties in recent 20 years. Here, aerosol physical properties include the particle size, shape, concentration, density, hygroscopicity and liquid water content, etc. The merits, demerits and limitations of each technique in both laboratory and field applications are summarized. Additionally, we also discuss the future research challenges regarding technological improvement and instrument development. Enhancing the accuracy of existing techniques and developing innovative ones is proposed, with the aim of realizing simultaneous multi-parameter measurements wherever possible and expanding the range of measurable aerosols dimensions. These direct measurement techniques facilitate exploration of the microphysical properties of aerosols, aiding in guiding the development direction and application of detection instruments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121034"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143307702","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}

{"title":"Aeolian sediment in El Paso, Texas: Elevated desert sand deposition rates and dust concentrations, enhanced by drought and urban sources","authors":"Thomas E. Gill ,&nbsp;Jose A. Rivas Jr. ,&nbsp;Elizabeth J. Walsh","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deposition of aeolian (windblown) dust and sand in drylands, such as the El Paso, Texas, USA/Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico metropolitan area within the Chihuahuan Desert, impacts soils, ecosystems, human infrastructure, and air quality. We monitored dry bulk deposition using marble dust collectors (MDCOs), a passive sampler, deployed atop a university building 21m above ground level during synoptic-scale wind events in urban El Paso, for five years (2011–2016). A nearby Texas Commission on Environmental Quality air monitor continuously measured particulate matter concentrations. MDCO sediment deposition rates over five synoptic dust event seasons (October–May) averaged 111 gm⁻²yr⁻¹ (range 85–164 gm⁻²yr⁻¹), higher than almost all other North American sites but generally lower than Global Dust Belt locations. These deposition rate values, representing only synoptic-scale wind events, underestimate total annual aeolian deposition (augmented by convective dust events and inputs during non-windstorm conditions). Deposition rates were ∼2x those reported for rural El Paso County, suggesting urban fugitive dust enhances total dry deposition. Mean grain size of deposited sediment in all events was &gt;50 μm (sand), even though collected ∼20 m above the height of saltation, indicating that events in El Paso can be considered “blowing sand” rather than “blowing dust.” PM₁₀ concentrations averaged 28 μg/m³ over all collection years but 200 μg/m³ during hours dust was observed, were extremely variable, and were significantly higher during years of strong drought. PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios averaged 0.13–0.14 during collection periods and dust hours. PM_2.5 concentrations were less strongly variable, showing the roles of dust and drought in PM_coarse in El Paso. Back trajectories during synoptic events were predominantly from the southwest and west, crossing sandy, erodible desert soils and remote-sensing-identified dust hotspots. MDCO sediments were comprised primarily of predominant Chihuahuan Desert soil minerals (quartz, feldspars, and calcite). Compared to global average aeolian deposition of major and minor elements, El Paso samples were enriched in silicon but depleted in aluminum, titanium, and manganese, as well as iron, an element with important ecological, radiative, and human health impacts. El Paso, Texas appears to be one of the dustiest/sandiest cities in North America.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121029"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308481","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}

{"title":"Performance evaluation of different cloud products for estimating surface solar radiation","authors":"Dongyue Liu ,&nbsp;Yunbo Lu ,&nbsp;Lunche Wang ,&nbsp;Ming Zhang ,&nbsp;Wenmin Qin ,&nbsp;Lan Feng ,&nbsp;Zhitong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.121023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.121023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence and variability of clouds have a significant effect on surface solar radiation (SSR). The range of cloud products currently available for SSR estimation vary in spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy. Since the effect of different cloud products on the accuracy of SSR estimation has not been adequately quantified in existing studies, this study evaluates the performance of four cloud products (Himawari-8, ISCCP, CERES, and MERRA-2) in estimating SSR and analyzes them in comparison with the MODIS cloud product. The accuracy of SSR estimation of the four cloud products is verified using measured data from BSRN and CERN ground-based observatories. The results show that Himawari-8 has the best performance with R-squared (R²) values of 0.94 and 0.74 and root mean square errors (RMSE) of 71.03 W/m² and 141.36 W/m² on the sub-daily scales at the BSRN and CERN sites, respectively. CERES and ISCCP have similar performances, but they vary by site and month. While MERRA-2 grossly underestimates SSR, probably related to misclassification of clear skies as cloudy and overestimation of cloud optical thickness under cloudy conditions. Compared to MODIS, Himawari-8 provides better agreement with MODIS results in cloud classification and cloud phase identification, while CERES provides better agreement with MODIS results in cloud optical thickness. Overall, Himawari-8 performs best in SSR estimation. This comprehensive assessment not only highlights the crucial role of cloud observations on SSR estimations but also details the strengths and weaknesses of each cloud product in enhancing the understanding of solar radiation dynamics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121023"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308501","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}

{"title":"Assessing the ecological risk of surface ozone and its impact on crop yields in China throughout the entire year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020","authors":"Hui Zhao ,&nbsp;Jinghan Wang ,&nbsp;Yu Pan ,&nbsp;Qi Guan ,&nbsp;Mingjie kang ,&nbsp;Ting Li","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In 2020, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread across China and the globe. In response to this severe challenge, China swiftly enforced a series of rigorous lockdown measures, significantly improving air quality. However, O₃ levels increased, and their potential impact on ecosystems remains unclear. Therefore, this research systematically assessed the ecological risks from O₃ during the warm season of 2020 across China and further quantified its effect on the yields of major crops. The findings revealed that during the warm season of 2020, the values of the five ecological risk indicators across China were 42.1 ± 0.5 ppb for M12, 43.0 ± 0.5 ppb for M7, 32.5 ± 1.3 ppm h for SUM06, 22.1 ± 0.7 ppm h for AOT40, and 27.2 ± 1.0 ppm h for W126. The highest risks were observed in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, followed by the Yangtze River Delta and Central China. During the main crop growing seasons, the national average AOT40 values were 9.3 ± 0.3 ppm h for winter wheat, 11.6 ± 0.6 ppm h for spring wheat, 10.2 ± 0.4 ppm h for single rice, 5.8 ± 0.4 ppm h for double-early rice, and 7.9 ± 0.4 ppm h for double-late rice. The projected ranges of O₃-induced national relative yield losses for wheat and rice were 20.4–32.9% and 3.1–9.7%, respectively. Correspondingly, the total national yield losses were 6.61 × 10⁷ metric tons and 1.37 × 10⁷ metric tons, respectively. Our findings reveal that O₃ posed significant harmful risks to ecosystems during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results not only highlight the threat of O₃ to agricultural production but also offer a scientific foundation to develop enhanced policies for controlling air pollution effectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121030"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308664","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}

{"title":"Estimation of regional PM2.5 concentration in China based on fine-mode aerosol optical thickness (AODf) and study of influencing factors","authors":"Cheng Wan ,&nbsp;Haifeng Xu ,&nbsp;Wenhui Luo ,&nbsp;Jinji Ma ,&nbsp;Zhengqiang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121026","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, rapid industrialization and urbanization in China have resulted in severe air pollution, with fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) being a major issue. PM_2.5 estimation typically relies on aerosol optical depth (AOD) data, while PM_2.5 is primarily composed of fine-mode aerosols, better represented by fine-mode aerosol optical depth (AODf). This study constructed PM_2.5 estimation models using both AODf and AOD data to obtain long-term PM_2.5 concentration datasets for China. SHAP and biased dependence algorithms were applied to analyze influencing factors and interactions, along with regional differences in PM_2.5 estimation based on multimodal AOD. The results indicate that AODf-based PM_2.5 estimation slightly improves accuracy compared to AOD. PM_2.5 concentrations showed an increasing trend from 2001 to 2013, peaking during this period, followed by a decline after 2013. Seasonally, the highest concentration was observed in winter (64.49 ± 19.8 μg/m³), followed by spring and autumn, with the lowest in summer (33.07 ± 8.8 μg/m³). The main influencing factors include AODf (26.97%), relative humidity (14.33%), 2m temperature (10.75%), and total evaporation (9.93%). Regional differences are evident: in the west, coarse-mode aerosols dominate, limiting the accuracy of AODf-based estimation, while in the east, fine-mode aerosols play a larger role. Furthermore, the continued decline in PM_2.5 is attributed to the decreasing proportion of fine-mode aerosols. This study is of great significance for a comprehensive understanding of the changing pattern of PM_2.5 and the formulation of air pollution control policies according to local conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121026"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143307701","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}

{"title":"Sensitivity analysis of aerosol optical and radiative properties over the climate sensitive Hindu Kush Himalayan region using sky radiometer observation","authors":"Shantikumar S. Ningombam ,&nbsp;Swagata Mukhopadhyay ,&nbsp;B.L. Madhavan ,&nbsp;A.K. Srivastava","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.121008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.121008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study examined sensitivity analysis of aerosol optical and radiative properties due to different versions of SKYRAD.pack module (i.e. versions 4.2 and 5.0) along with stability and performance of sky radiometer instruments (POM-01), operating at Hanle, Leh and Merak, located at high-altitude background sites in the most climate sensitive Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The study utilized long-term aerosol measurements during 2008–2024 for examining the stability and performance of the instruments. As a part of sensitivity analysis, coarse-mode aerosol optical depth (AOD) was found to be higher at version 4.2, while fine-mode AOD showed higher at version 5.0, but interestingly the variation of total AOD was found to be insignificant. Further, single scattering albedo (SSA) at version 5.0 was overestimated from 4.2 version. Among the parameters, aerosol asymmetry parameter (AS) showed significantly larger difference between the two versions with overestimation at 4.2 version. Such large differences of AS may be attributed to variations in aerosol radiative forcing parameters. Further, variation of <span><math><mo>±</mo></math></span>2% calibration constants (F0I) in the sensitivity analysis showed significant variation in the retrieval parameters. Aerosol volume size distribution at three sites showed dominantly tri-modal pattern at version 4.2, while version 5.0 showed dominance of bi-modal distribution, which may be attributed from significant variation of AS between the two versions. These findings highlighted the importance of performing calibration procedures frequently to ensure the quality controlled data at background sites in particular, and sensitivity analysis for aerosol retrieval parameters in different versions of the SKYRAD.pack software tool.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121008"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143307761","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}

{"title":"Influence of meteorological conditions and seasonality on PM1 and organic aerosol sources at a rural background site","authors":"Radek Lhotka ,&nbsp;Petra Pokorná ,&nbsp;Petr Vodička ,&nbsp;Naděžda Zíková ,&nbsp;Gang I. Chen ,&nbsp;André S.H. Prévôt ,&nbsp;Saliou Mbengue ,&nbsp;Jaroslav Schwarz ,&nbsp;Vladimír Ždímal","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organic aerosols (OA) are a main component of PM_2.5 (20–90%), which contains thousands of compounds. Thus, the formation processes and sources of OA remain poorly understood. In this study, the seasonal and diurnal variabilities of submicron PM chemical composition (both inorganic and organic aerosols) and OA sources were characterized by aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) and an aethalometer at a rural background site in the Czech Republic (National Atmospheric Observatory Košetice – NAOK) from January to October 2019. The effects of meteorological conditions and local, regional, and long-range atmospheric transport influences in Central Europe were also studied. The overall average submicron PM concentration was 9.26 ± 5.88 μg m⁻³. Using positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis, we identified four OA factors for summer and five for all other seasons. Three factors were associated with primary sources of OA (POA): hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), biomass-burning OA (BBOA), and OA from coal burning (CCOA, absent in summer), the CCOA factor enabling a better description of the residential heating effect on the background station in Central Europe. Two remaining factors represented oxygenated OA (OOA) sources: less oxidized OOA (LO-OOA) and more oxidized OOA (MO-OOA).Higher pollution episodes of submicron PM and all OA sources were predominantly associated with continental air masses. The effect of dispersion conditions, as assessed by the ventilation index (VI) and not yet been studied at a rural background site, proved to be a critical factor. The extension of the number of primary factors to include CCOA in PMF analysis, together with the reflection of the influence of seasonality, air mass origin and changes in meteorology, especially dispersion conditions, has elucidated the origin and fate of OA in the atmosphere at this type of European background stations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":250,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Environment","volume":"344 ","pages":"Article 121028"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143308526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}