[A-AS13] New particle formation and its impacts on atmospheric chemistry

[AAS13-P04] Nucleation events within an industrial zone in the YRD region of China

*Jun Zheng¹, Yan Ma¹, Dongsen Yang¹ (1.Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology)

Keywords:Nucleation, Criegee radicals, Sulfuric acid

Nucleation processes contribute substantial secondary aerosols in the atmosphere, which often lead to severe air pollution episodes in China, especially in heavily populated urban area. In this work, we conducted field observations of nucleation events in Nanjing, China. The field observations were conducted during the Fall of 2015. Both gaseous sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and sub-3 nm particles were simultaneously detected. H₂SO₄ and sub-3 nm aerosols showed excellent correlations during the nucleation events. Multivariate analysis indicated that two or three molecules of H₂SO₄ might be present in the critical nuclei. Several nocturnal nucleation events with concurring H₂SO₄ peaks were also observed while the site was within the industrial plumes. High level of alkenes and relative high concentration of O₃ (~30 ppbv) indicated that alkene ozonolysis might be responsible for the nighttime production of H₂SO₄. The impacts of the nocturnal nucleation processes on the local air quality need to be further investigated.