Oxidative potential associated with water-soluble components of PM2.5 in Beijing: The important role of anthropogenic organic aerosols

Oxidative stress is the mainstream toxicological mechanism for the adverse health outcomes of ambient aerosols. However, our understanding of the crucial redox-active species affecting the oxidative potential of water-soluble aerosols (OPWS) remains limited. In this study, the OPWS of PM2.5 in Beijing was measured using dithiothreitol (DTT) assay, including DTT consumption rate and center dot OH formation rate. OPWS was more closely related to watersoluble organic compounds (WSOC) rather than transition metals. Laboratory simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of individual target species in the context of complex metal-organic interactions. The results showed that reducing WSOC can effectively decrease OPWS, while reducing Cu2+ increased OPWS. Parallel factor analysis demonstrated that OPWS was the most significantly correlated with the highly oxidized humic-like or quinone-like substances. Multiple linear regression showed that aromatic secondary organic carbon (SOC) (34.4%), other primary combustion sources of WSOC (20.0%), primary biomass burning WSOC (19.8%), transition metal ions (12.9%) and biomass burning SOC (12.8%) made significant contributions to DTTV. In addition to the anthropogenic sources of WSOC, the aged biogenic SOC also contributed to OHV, particularly in summer. Reducing anthropogenic WSOC was the key to the effective control of OPWS of PM2.5 in Beijing.

Automated summary

Oxidative stress is the main mechanism by which ambient aerosols have adverse health effects. However, the factors affecting the oxidative potential of water-soluble aerosols (OPWS) are not well understood. This study found that water-soluble organic compounds (WSOC) have a greater impact on OPWS than transition metals. Laboratory simulations showed that reducing WSOC can decrease OPWS, while reducing Cu2+ increases OPWS. Highly oxidized humic-like or quinone-like substances were found to be most correlated with OPWS. Reducing anthropogenic WSOC is key to controlling OPWS of PM2.5 in Beijing.