Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3380
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3380
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
01 Jul 2026
| 01 Jul 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Chlorine enhances nocturnal heterogeneous uptake of NO2 in coastal atmosphere under sea-land breeze circulation
Abstract. Heterogeneous uptake of NO2 serves as a significant source for reactive nitrogen species, playing an important role in atmospheric chemistry. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that chlorine can promote the heterogeneous NO2 uptake, yet this effect under real ambient conditions remains poorly elucidated. Based on comprehensive field observations, a machine learning technique, and a multiphase chemical box model in the coastal city of Xiamen, China, this study reveals the enhancement effect of chlorine (Cl) on NO2 uptake and quantifies the impact of this enhanced uptake on reactive nitrogen species during nocturnal sea-land breeze (SLB) periods. Compared with non-SLB days, nocturnal concentrations of nitrous acid (HONO) and particulate nitrate (NO3-) increased significantly during SLB days, with high mean value of NO2 uptake rate constant (kNO2) reaching 9.70×10-6 s-1. Machine learning revealed that chlorine was the most important influencing factor for the enhanced kNO2. Incorporating this kNO2 into the chemical box model substantially resolved the underestimation of HONO concentration and NO3- production under SLB conditions. Notably, nocturnal NO2 uptake dominated HONO formation (83.9 %), while making a substantial contribution (47.9 %) to nitrate formation. This study highlights the critical role of chlorine-enhanced NO2 uptake in atmospheric reactive nitrogen cycling and provides valuable insights for nocturnal chemistry in complex coastal environments.
How to cite. Lin, Z., Yong, X., Li, L., Chen, Y., Xu, L., Ji, X., Yang, C., Zhang, K., Zhang, F., Chen, Z., Chen, G., Fan, X., Li, M., and Chen, J.: Chlorine enhances nocturnal heterogeneous uptake of NO2 in coastal atmosphere under sea-land breeze circulation, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3380, 2026.
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Data sets
Data for Chlorine enhances nocturnal heterogeneous uptake of NO2 in coastal atmosphere under sea-land breeze circulation Z. Lin et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21037074
Ziyi Lin
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Xiuwen Yong
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
Lingjun Li
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Yuping Chen
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Lingling Xu
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Xiaoting Ji
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Chen Yang
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Keran Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Feng Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Ziying Chen
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Gaojie Chen
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Xiaolong Fan
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Mengren Li
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Short summary
Nitrogen dioxide can react on wet surfaces, producing pollutants that affect air quality. To understand why this process is stronger in coastal regions, we conducted field measurements in a Chinese coastal city during sea–land breeze periods. We found that chloride from sea salt greatly enhances nitrogen dioxide uptake, increasing the formation of nitrous acid and nitrate. This highlights a key role of chlorine in coastal air pollution and improves predictions of nighttime atmospheric chemistry.
Nitrogen dioxide can react on wet surfaces, producing pollutants that affect air quality. To...