Characteristics of sub-micron aerosols in the Yellow Sea and its environmental implications

Abstract

The Yellow Sea, characterized by an influx of both natural marine and anthropogenic pollutants, coupled with favorable photochemical conditions, serve as key sites for potential interactions between atmospheric gases and aerosols. A recent air monitoring campaign in the Yellow Sea revealed aerosol contributions from four sources, with the highest mass concentrations and dominance of NO3− (38.1 ± 0.37 %) during winds from China. Indications of potential secondary aerosol formation were observed through the presence of hydrolysis and oxidation products of nitrate and volatile organic compounds. Correlations between time series distributions of biomass burning organic aerosols and particle number counts (Dp 100–500 nm, R2 = 0.94) further suggest potential size growth through adsorption and scavenging processes. The results from this study provide observational evidence of a shift in atmospheric compositions from sulfate to nitrate, leading to an increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Yellow Sea.