Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2472
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2472
13 May 2026
 | 13 May 2026

Molecular characteristics and formation pathways of organosulfur compounds: a comparative field study across contrasting atmospheric environments

Dongmei Cai, Xianda Gong, Ruiqi Zhang, Shenyan Zhang, Yuhan Cheng, Saidur Rahaman, Yin Fang, and Jianmin Chen

Abstract. Organosulfur compounds (OrgSs), especially organosulfates (OSs), are ubiquitous aerosol components. However, the spatial, seasonal, and diurnal variations of OrgS formation in polluted atmospheres remain poorly understood. Here, we monitored particulate OrgSs at an urban site and a suburban site in Shanghai and examined their molecular composition and formation pathways under contrasting atmospheric conditions. A total of 1964, 1914, and 2689 OrgS molecular formulas were detected in suburban summer, urban summer, and urban winter, respectively. More than 79 % of sulfur-containing molecular formulas had (4s + 3n)/o ≤ 1, indicating that OrgSs were dominated by OSs and nitrooxy-OSs (NOSs). Compared with summer, wintertime OrgSs exhibited lower O/C ratios but higher double-bond equivalence and aromaticity, suggesting a stronger influence of anthropogenic emissions and more unsaturated molecular structures. Although OrgSs were mostly present in aliphatic molecular structures, an increase in the number of aromatic OSs in winter revealed an enhanced contribution from anthropogenic sources. Isoprene/monoterpene-derived OSs peaked during the daytime due to photochemical oxidation in summer, whereas monoterpene-derived NOSs were markedly enhanced at night via nighttime NO3-initiated oxidation. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis further revealed that OrgS composition in summer was associated with temperature and O3 during the day but shifted toward RH-driven processing at night. In winter, inorganic nitrogen and sulfur species, aerosol liquid water content, and particle acidity became more important in shaping OrgS composition, suggesting enhanced aqueous-phase and acid-catalyzed formation. These findings provide molecular-level insights into the sources and formation of atmospheric OrgSs across contrasting environments.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Aug 2026
Molecular characteristics and formation pathways of organosulfur compounds: a comparative field study across contrasting atmospheric environments
Dongmei Cai, Xianda Gong, Runqi Zhang, Shenyan Zhang, Yuhan Cheng, Saidur Rahaman, Yin Fang, and Jianmin Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 11067–11089, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11067-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11067-2026, 2026
Short summary
Dongmei Cai, Xianda Gong, Ruiqi Zhang, Shenyan Zhang, Yuhan Cheng, Saidur Rahaman, Yin Fang, and Jianmin Chen

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Jun 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Jun 2026
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #3, 05 Jun 2026
  • RC4: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #4, 08 Jun 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Xianda Gong on behalf of the Authors (28 Jul 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (29 Jul 2026) by Ivan Kourtchev
AR by Xianda Gong on behalf of the Authors (29 Jul 2026)

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Jun 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Jun 2026
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #3, 05 Jun 2026
  • RC4: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2472', Anonymous Referee #4, 08 Jun 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Xianda Gong on behalf of the Authors (28 Jul 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (29 Jul 2026) by Ivan Kourtchev
AR by Xianda Gong on behalf of the Authors (29 Jul 2026)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Aug 2026
Molecular characteristics and formation pathways of organosulfur compounds: a comparative field study across contrasting atmospheric environments
Dongmei Cai, Xianda Gong, Runqi Zhang, Shenyan Zhang, Yuhan Cheng, Saidur Rahaman, Yin Fang, and Jianmin Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 11067–11089, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11067-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11067-2026, 2026
Short summary
Dongmei Cai, Xianda Gong, Ruiqi Zhang, Shenyan Zhang, Yuhan Cheng, Saidur Rahaman, Yin Fang, and Jianmin Chen
Dongmei Cai, Xianda Gong, Ruiqi Zhang, Shenyan Zhang, Yuhan Cheng, Saidur Rahaman, Yin Fang, and Jianmin Chen

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Organosulfur compounds in polluted atmospheres remain poorly understood. Using high-resolution chemical measurements, we examined organosulfur compounds in fine air particles from urban and suburban Shanghai in summer and winter, and found greater molecular diversity in winter, stronger effects from human activities and combustion, and clear day–night differences.
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