Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-130
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-130
19 Feb 2024
 | 19 Feb 2024

Water-insoluble organic carbon in PM2.5 over China: light-absorbing properties, potential sources, radiative forcing effects and possible light-absorbing continuum

Yangzhi Mo, Jun Li, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Jiao Tang, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang

Abstract. Water-insoluble carbon (WIOC) constitutes a substantial portion of organic carbon (OC) and contributes significantly to light absorption by brown carbon (BrC), playing pivotal roles in climate forcing and human health. China as hotspots regions with high level of OC and BrC, information regarding the sources and light-absorbing properties of WIOC on national scale remains scarce. Here, we investigated the light-absorbing properties and sources of WIOC in ten representative urban cities across China. On average, WIOC accounted for 33.4 ± 7.66 % and 40.5 ± 9.73 % of the concentrations and light-absorbing efficiency at 365 nm (Abs365) of extractable OC (EX-OC, comprising relatively hydrophobic OC [WIOC and humic-like substances: HULIS-C], and hydrophilic OC [non-humic-like substances: non-HULIS-C]). The mass absorption efficiency of WIOC at 365 nm (MAE365) was (1.59 ± 0.55 m2/gC) comparable to that of HULIS (1.54 ± 0.57 m2/gC) but significantly higher than non-HULIS (0.71 ± 0.28 m2/gC), indicating that hydrophobic OC possesses a stronger light-absorbing capacity than hydrophilic OC. Biomass burning (31.0 %) and coal combustion (31.1 %) were the dominant sources of WIOC, with coal combustion sources exhibited the strongest light-absorbing capacity. Moreover, employing the simple forcing efficiency (SFE300–700nm) method, we observed that WIOC exhibited the highest SFE300–700nm (6.57 ± 5.37 W/g) among the EX-OC fractions. The radiative forcing of EX-OC was predominantly contributed by hydrophobic OC (WIOC: 39.4 ± 15.5 % and HULIS: 39.5 ± 12.1 %). Considering the aromaticity, sources, and atmospheric processes of different carbonaceous components, we propose a light-absorbing carbonaceous continuum, revealing that components enriched with fossil sources tend to possess stronger light-absorbing capacity, higher aromatic levels, increased molecular weights, and greater recalcitrance in the atmosphere. Reducing fossil fuel emissions emerges as an effective means of mitigating both gaseous (CO2) and particulate light-absorbing carbonaceous warming components.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

09 Jul 2024
The water-insoluble organic carbon in PM2.5 of typical Chinese urban areas: light-absorbing properties, potential sources, radiative forcing effects, and a possible light-absorbing continuum
Yangzhi Mo, Jun Li, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Jiao Tang, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7755–7772, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7755-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7755-2024, 2024
Short summary
Yangzhi Mo, Jun Li, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Jiao Tang, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Anonymous Referee #1, 18 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', M. Yang, 12 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Anonymous Referee #2, 25 Mar 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', M. Yang, 12 May 2024
    • AC5: 'Reply on RC2', M. Yang, 13 May 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Anonymous Referee #3, 01 Apr 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', M. Yang, 12 May 2024
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Kimitaka Kawamura, 13 May 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on EC1', M. Yang, 13 May 2024
      • EC2: 'Reply on AC4', Kimitaka Kawamura, 13 May 2024
        • AC6: 'Reply on EC2', M. Yang, 14 May 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Anonymous Referee #1, 18 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', M. Yang, 12 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Anonymous Referee #2, 25 Mar 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', M. Yang, 12 May 2024
    • AC5: 'Reply on RC2', M. Yang, 13 May 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Anonymous Referee #3, 01 Apr 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', M. Yang, 12 May 2024
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-130', Kimitaka Kawamura, 13 May 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on EC1', M. Yang, 13 May 2024
      • EC2: 'Reply on AC4', Kimitaka Kawamura, 13 May 2024
        • AC6: 'Reply on EC2', M. Yang, 14 May 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by M. Yang on behalf of the Authors (12 May 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (15 May 2024) by Kimitaka Kawamura
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (18 May 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (20 May 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (22 May 2024)
ED: Publish as is (22 May 2024) by Kimitaka Kawamura
AR by M. Yang on behalf of the Authors (24 May 2024)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

09 Jul 2024
The water-insoluble organic carbon in PM2.5 of typical Chinese urban areas: light-absorbing properties, potential sources, radiative forcing effects, and a possible light-absorbing continuum
Yangzhi Mo, Jun Li, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Jiao Tang, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 7755–7772, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7755-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-7755-2024, 2024
Short summary
Yangzhi Mo, Jun Li, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Jiao Tang, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang
Yangzhi Mo, Jun Li, Guangcai Zhong, Sanyuan Zhu, Shizhen Zhao, Jiao Tang, Hongxing Jiang, Zhineng Cheng, Chongguo Tian, Yingjun Chen, and Gan Zhang

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Short summary
In this study, we found that biomass burning (31.0 %) and coal combustion (31.1 %), were the dominant sources of water-insoluble organic carbon in China, with coal combustion sources exhibited the strongest light-absorbing capacity. Additionally, we propose a light-absorbing carbonaceous continuum, revealing that components enriched with fossil sources tend to have stronger light-absorbing capacity, higher aromaticity, higher molecular weights, and greater recalcitrance in the atmosphere.