Persistent sulfate formation from London Fog to Chinese haze
Chinese Academy of Sciences · Institute of Earth Environment · +24 more institutions
Abstract
Significance Exceedingly high levels of fine particulate matter (PM) occur frequently in China, but the mechanism of severe haze formation remains unclear. From atmospheric measurements in two Chinese megacities and laboratory experiments, we show that the oxidation of SO 2 by NO 2 occurs efficiently in aqueous media under two polluted conditions: first, during the formation of the 1952 London Fog via in-cloud oxidation; and second, on fine PM with NH 3 neutralization during severe haze in China. We suggest that effective haze mitigation is achievable by intervening in the sulfate formation process with NH 3 and NO 2 emission control measures. Hence, our results explain the outstanding sulfur problem during…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 99.63
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 69
Authors
45- GWGehui WangCorresponding
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Earth Environment, East China Normal University, Texas A&M University
- RZRenyi Zhang
Peking University, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Texas A&M University
- MGMario Gómez
Florida International University, Texas A&M University
- LYLingxiao Yang
Shandong University, Texas A&M University
- MLMisti Levy Zamora
Texas A&M University
Topics & keywords
- Haze
- Sulfate
- Environmental science
- Relative humidity
- Atmospheric sciences
- Nitrate
- Environmental chemistry
- Ecosystem