Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1808
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1808
25 Apr 2025
 | 25 Apr 2025

The impacts of pollution sources and temperature on the light absorption of HULIS were revealed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS at the molecular structure level

Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong

Abstract. Atmospheric humic-like substances (HULIS), a key component of brown carbon (BrC), significantly promote the light absorption of aerosols. However, their linkages to pollution sources and ambient temperature in cold environments remain unresolved. Here, we analyze wintertime urban aerosol samples in Changchun, Northeast China, using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). HULIS show a high light absorption efficiency (MAE365 = 1.81 ± 0.24 m2 gC-1) and high mass concentration (2.97 ± 1.54 μgC m-3), exceeding values reported from other global regions. Through UHPLC-HRMS/MS characterization, we identify 264 compounds at the molecular structure level, accounting for 38.2–78.1 % of the total HULIS mass. Compositional analysis demonstrates biomass burning and coal combustion are the main BrC sources during haze events. We screen out 39 strong BrC chromophores, mainly nitrophenols, that contribute 28.9 ± 10.4 % of the total light absorbance at 365 nm. Low ambient temperatures potentially enhance the accumulation of these strong BrC chromophores in the aerosol particles by suppressing photobleaching processes and altering thermodynamic reaction equilibria. These findings emphasize the potential of BrC to exert a more significant and persistent environmental effect in the cold region atmosphere.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

29 Sep 2025
The impacts of pollution sources and temperature on the light absorption of HULIS were revealed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS at the molecular structure level
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11505–11516, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11505-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11505-2025, 2025
Short summary
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1808', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 May 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC1', dapeng liang, 30 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1808', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', dapeng liang, 30 Jun 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1808', Anonymous Referee #3, 23 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC3', dapeng liang, 30 Jun 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1808', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 May 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC1', dapeng liang, 30 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1808', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', dapeng liang, 30 Jun 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1808', Anonymous Referee #3, 23 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC3', dapeng liang, 30 Jun 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by dapeng liang on behalf of the Authors (30 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (02 Jul 2025) by Ivan Kourtchev
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (04 Jul 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (04 Jul 2025)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (14 Jul 2025) by Ivan Kourtchev
AR by dapeng liang on behalf of the Authors (14 Jul 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

29 Sep 2025
The impacts of pollution sources and temperature on the light absorption of HULIS were revealed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS at the molecular structure level
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 11505–11516, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11505-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-11505-2025, 2025
Short summary
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong

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Short summary
Our research reveals that some species from biomass burning and coal combustion dominate the light absorption of organic aerosols during winter. Cold weather helps these species accumulate in aerosols by slowing their degradation and altering atmospheric chemical processes. This means colder regions might experience stronger and more persistent climate impacts. Our findings highlight the importance of local temperatures and pollution sources when tackling climate challenges.
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