Aerosols in an arid environment: The role of aerosol water content, particulate acidity, precursors, and relative humidity on secondary inorganic aerosols

Abstract

Meteorological conditions, gas-phase precursors, and aerosol acidity (pH) can influence the formation of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Most works related to the influence of pH and gas-phase precursors on SIA have been laboratory research, but field observation research is very scarce, especially in arid environments. The relationship among SIA, pH, gas-phase precursors, and meteorological conditions are investigated in Hohhot, a major city in China with an arid environment. Secondary inorganic species, e.g., SO42−, NO3−, were typically found at low levels, reflecting the low level of secondary aerosol. It is interesting to note that the level of SO2 in Hohhot was higher than in other cities while SO42− was relatively lower than in other cities. Multiple receptor models were used to explore the contributions to the SIA and quantify the source impacts on the SIA. Annual average aerosol pH in Hohhot was 5.6 (range 1.1–8.4) which was estimated by a thermodynamic equilibrium model. Additionally, a statistical method was used to evaluate the influence of SIA sources on ambient aerosol concentrations. Aerosol water content and particulate acidity were found to be positively associated with secondary SO42−, while NO2 and RH had a significant impact on secondary NO3− in an arid atmosphere. The findings explain the relationship between gaseous precursors, relative humidity, aerosol pH and temperature in the arid city of Hohhot.