Large contribution of fossil-derived components to aqueous secondary organic aerosols in China

Buqing Xu, Gan Zhang (), Örjan Gustafsson (), Kimitaka Kawamura, Jun Li, August Andersson, Srinivas Bikkina, Bhagawati Kunwar, Ambarish Pokhrel, Guangcai Zhong, Shizhen Zhao, Jing Li, Chen Huang, Zhineng Cheng, Sanyuan Zhu, Pingan Peng and Guoying Sheng
Additional contact information
Buqing Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gan Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Örjan Gustafsson: Stockholm University
Kimitaka Kawamura: Chubu University
Jun Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
August Andersson: Stockholm University
Srinivas Bikkina: Chubu University
Bhagawati Kunwar: Chubu University
Ambarish Pokhrel: Chubu University
Guangcai Zhong: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shizhen Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jing Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chen Huang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhineng Cheng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Sanyuan Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Pingan Peng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guoying Sheng: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Incomplete understanding of the sources of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) leads to large uncertainty in both air quality management and in climate change assessment. Chemical reactions occurring in the atmospheric aqueous phase represent an important source of SOA mass, yet, the effects of anthropogenic emissions on the aqueous SOA (aqSOA) are not well constrained. Here we use compound-specific dual-carbon isotopic fingerprints (δ13C and Δ14C) of dominant aqSOA molecules, such as oxalic acid, to track the precursor sources and formation mechanisms of aqSOA. Substantial stable carbon isotope fractionation of aqSOA molecules provides robust evidence for extensive aqueous-phase processing. Contrary to the paradigm that these aqSOA compounds are largely biogenic, radiocarbon-based source apportionments show that fossil precursors produced over one-half of the aqSOA molecules. Large fractions of fossil-derived aqSOA contribute substantially to the total water-soluble organic aerosol load and hence impact projections of both air quality and anthropogenic radiative forcing. Our findings reveal the importance of fossil emissions for aqSOA with effects on climate and air quality.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32863-3

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