Abstract
Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) studies in China were summarized comprehensively in this paper. NPF frequency, formation rate, and particle growth rate were closely compared among the observations carried out at different types of sites in different regions of China in different seasons, with the aim of exploring the nucleation and particle growth mechanisms. The interactions between air pollution and NPF are discussed, emphasizing the properties of NPF under heavy pollution conditions. The current understanding of NPF cannot fully explain the frequent occurrence of NPF at high aerosol loadings in China, and possible reasons for this phenomenon are proposed. The effects of NPF and some aspects of NPF research requiring further investigation are also summarized in this paper.
Highlights
Atmospheric aerosols have adverse effects on human health and visibility, and cause severe air pollution in many countries (Kaiser, 2005; Cheng et al, 2011; Hand and Malm, 2007; Lelieveld et al, 2015)
Molecular clusters seem to be continuously generated almost everywhere and all the time (Kulmala et al, 2017). These clusters can be further stabilized by reacting with other gaseous compounds like amines, ammonia, and highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs), or through electrostatic interactions in the presence of ions (Kirkby et al, 2016), after which they will grow to larger nanoparticles or will be scavenged by existing surfaces
HOMs can be formed from anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Molteni et al, 2018), their role in new particle formation is still not clear, yet they might play an important role in NPF measured in Chinese megacities
Summary
Atmospheric aerosols have adverse effects on human health and visibility, and cause severe air pollution in many countries (Kaiser, 2005; Cheng et al, 2011; Hand and Malm, 2007; Lelieveld et al, 2015). HOMs can be formed from anthropogenic VOCs (Molteni et al, 2018), their role in new particle formation is still not clear, yet they might play an important role in NPF measured in Chinese megacities High concentrations of these gas precursors have resulted in high concentrations of secondary inorganic and organic species in PM2.5 during haze formation (Yang et al, 2011; Zhao et al, 2013; Dan et al, 2004; Duan et al, 2005; Wang et al, 2012), but how this cocktail of high concentrations of SO2, NOx, NH3, VOCs and particulate matter (or highly complex air pollution) influence NPF remains highly uncertain. Wang et al (2017) summarized the techniques, recent advances, current bottlenecks and future directions in studying NPF in China, while this study will provide a more comprehensive summary of the characteristics of NPF and will emphasize the interactions between air quality and NPF
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