Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Automated, High-resolution Mobile Collection System for the Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis of NOx
Published on: December 20, 2016
Nighttime Organic Nitrates Drive New Particle Formation and Aerosol Growth in Urban Beijing
Junfeng Wang1,2, Eleonora Aruffo3, Jianhuai Ye2,4
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Intelligent Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Carbon-Pollution Co-control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CIC-AEET), School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
Abstract:
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) represents a major component of urban air pollution. This study presents observational evidence from summer 2017 in urban Beijing, supported by model simulations and a case study from summer 2023, demonstrating the crucial role of nighttime organic nitrates (ONs) production in subsequent daytime SOA formation. Our measurements revealed that total reactive nitrogen compound (NOz) concentrations exceeded 40 ppb at night, resulting from nitrate radical (NO3)-initiated oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the surface layer and through aloft production followed by downward transport. While these NOz existed primarily in the gas phase during nighttime, they underwent atmospheric aging processes the following day, significantly contributing to SOA growth and potentially new particle formation. Model simulations identified reactive terpenoids as the dominant VOC precursors for nighttime ON formation. These findings underscore the need for an improved understanding of nocturnal ONs production mechanisms given their substantial impact on daytime SOA production.
