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Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids BPCA
Published on: May 16, 2016
The particle phase state during the biomass burning events
Yuechen Liu1, Xiangxinyue Meng1, Zhijun Wu2
1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Biomass burning aerosols (BBA) are found to be in a non-solid state even in dry conditions, unlike secondary organic aerosols (SOA). This suggests BBA may allow faster gas diffusion, impacting air quality and climate.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Aerosol Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- The phase state of biomass burning aerosols (BBA) is crucial for understanding their impact on air quality, climate, and human health.
- The role of BBA in mass transfer between gaseous and particulate phases is significant but poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase state of biomass burning aerosols (BBA).
- To compare the physical properties of BBA with secondary organic aerosols (SOA).
Main Methods:
- Utilized field observations and laboratory experiments to measure the particle rebound fraction (ƒ) of BBA.
- Assessed aerosol behavior under varying relative humidity (RH) conditions, specifically focusing on dry environments (RH = 20-50%).
Main Results:
- Biomass burning aerosols exhibited a lower rebound fraction (ƒ < 0.6) under dry conditions, indicating a non-solid phase.
- Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) showed a higher rebound fraction (ƒ > 0.8) under similar dry conditions.
- The findings suggest a significantly higher diffusion coefficient for gaseous molecules within BBA compared to SOA in dry conditions.
Conclusions:
- Biomass burning aerosols exist in a non-solid or semi-volatile state at low relative humidity.
- This unique phase state of BBA influences their atmospheric behavior and interactions.
- The higher gas diffusion in BBA implies different atmospheric processing and environmental impacts compared to SOA.
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