Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-731
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-731
08 May 2023
 | 08 May 2023

The Atmospheric Oxidizing Capacity in China: Part 1. Roles of different photochemical processes

Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang

Abstract. The atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) characterizes the ability of the atmosphere to scavenge air pollutants. However, it is not well understood in China, where anthropogenic emissions have changed dramatically in the past decade. A detailed analysis of different parameters that determine the AOC in China is presented on the basis of numerical simulations performed with the regional chemical-meteorological model WRF-Chem. The model results, with the aerosol effects of extinction and heterogeneous processes taken into account, show that the presence of aerosols leads to a decrease in surface ozone of approximately 8–10 ppbv in NOx-limited rural areas and an increase of 5–10 ppbv in VOC-limited urban areas. The ozone reduction in NOx-sensitive regions is due to the combined effect of nitrogen dioxide and peroxy radical uptake on particles and of the light extinction by aerosols, which affects the photodissociation rates. The ozone increase in VOC-sensitive areas is attributed to the uptake of NO2 by aerosols, which is offset by the reduced ozone formation associated with HO2 uptake and with the aerosol extinction. Our study concludes that more than 90 % of the daytime AOC is due to the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with VOCs and carbon monoxide. In urban areas, during summertime, the main contributions to daytime AOC are the reactions of OH with alkene (30–50 %), oxidized volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) (33–45 %), and carbon monoxide (20–45 %). In rural areas, the largest contribution results from the reaction of OH with alkenes (60 %). Nocturnal AOC is dominantly attributed to the nitrate radical (50–70 %). Our results shed light on the contribution of aerosol-related NOx loss and the high reactivity of alkenes for photochemical pollution. With the reduction of aerosols and anthropogenic ozone precursors, the chemistry of nitrogen and temperature-sensitive VOCs will become increasingly important. More attention needs to be paid to the role of photodegradable OVOCs and nocturnal oxidants in the formation of secondary pollutants.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

14 Nov 2023
The atmospheric oxidizing capacity in China – Part 1: Roles of different photochemical processes
Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14127–14158, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14127-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14127-2023, 2023
Short summary
Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-731', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 May 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Jianing Dai, 31 Jul 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-731', Anonymous Referee #2, 10 Jun 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Jianing Dai, 31 Jul 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-731', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 May 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Jianing Dai, 31 Jul 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-731', Anonymous Referee #2, 10 Jun 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Jianing Dai, 31 Jul 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Jianing Dai on behalf of the Authors (31 Jul 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (28 Aug 2023) by Frank Keutsch
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (07 Sep 2023) by Frank Keutsch
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (21 Sep 2023)
ED: Publish as is (26 Sep 2023) by Frank Keutsch
AR by Jianing Dai on behalf of the Authors (04 Oct 2023)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

14 Nov 2023
The atmospheric oxidizing capacity in China – Part 1: Roles of different photochemical processes
Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14127–14158, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14127-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14127-2023, 2023
Short summary
Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang
Jianing Dai, Guy P. Brasseur, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Maria Kanakidou, Kun Qu, Yijuan Zhang, Hongliang Zhang, and Tao Wang

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Short summary
In this study, we used a regional chemical transport model to characterize the different parameters of atmospheric oxidative capacity in recent chemical environments in China. These parameters including the production and destruction rates of ozone and other oxidants, the ozone production efficiency, the OH reactivity, and the length of the reaction chain responsible for the formation of ozone and ROx. It is also affected by the aerosol burden in the atmosphere.