Effects of NH and alkaline metals on the formation of particulate sulfate and nitrate in wintertime Beijing.

Sulfate and nitrate from secondary reactions remain as the most abundant inorganic species in atmospheric particle matter (PM). Their formation is initiated by oxidation (either in gas phase or particle phase), followed by neutralization reaction primarily by NH, or by other alkaline species such as alkaline metal ions if available. The different roles of NH and metal ions in neutralizing HSO or HNO, however, are seldom investigated.

Brown Carbon Aerosol in Urban Xi'an, Northwest China: The Composition and Light Absorption Properties.

Light-absorbing organic carbon (i.e., brown carbon or BrC) in the atmospheric aerosol has significant contribution to light absorption and radiative forcing.

Severe Pollution in China Amplified by Atmospheric Moisture.

In recent years, severe haze events often occurred in China, causing serious environmental problems. The mechanisms responsible for the haze formation, however, are still not well understood, hindering the forecast and mitigation of haze pollution. Our study of the 2012-13 winter haze events in Beijing shows that atmospheric water vapour plays a critical role in enhancing the heavy haze events.