Sulfate and nitrate elevation in reverse-transport dust plumes over coastal areas of China

Sulfate and nitrate formed on dust aerosols can considerably affect particles' physicochemical properties due to their high hygroscopicity. Dust reverse-transport (DRT) events can occur in eastern China when dust plumes un-dergo a distinct turn caused by Asian highs or cyclones, resulting in the re-appearance of the dust plume in one place but with anthropogenic pollutants mixed in. In this study, three DRT events were identified at a coastal city, Qingdao. The secondary sulfate and nitrate in PM2.5 collected during the DRT events were estimated according to the mass concentration of water-soluble ions and dust tracer metal. Several key factors, including heterogeneous reactions on aerosols, photochemical conversions in the air, and precursors' abundance in dust plumes, affected the aging of dust plumes. In the presence of adequate ammonium and high-level oxidants in the air, sulfate and nitrate were efficiently produced under moderate/high humidity conditions when DRT events occurred to the south of Qingdao. The proportions of the secondary sulfate/nitrate in total concentrations exceeded 90%, in which 20.8%-43.1% of secondary nitrate was formed on dust particles. In contrast, when the DRT occurred to the north of Qingdao with low relative humidity and low [NH4+]/[SO42-] ratio, the growth of sulfate and nitrate was small. This study reveals a manner of efficient sulfate and nitrate formation in dust plumes in the continental atmosphere.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of sulfate and nitrate formed on dust aerosols on particles' physicochemical properties. Three dust reverse-transport (DRT) events were identified in Qingdao, China, and the secondary sulfate and nitrate in PM2.5 were estimated. Factors such as heterogeneous reactions, photochemical conversions, and precursors' abundance in dust plumes were found to affect the aging of dust plumes. Efficient sulfate and nitrate formation was observed during DRT events to the south of Qingdao under appropriate atmospheric conditions, while minimal growth was observed during DRT events to the north of Qingdao with low relative humidity and low [NH4+]/[SO42-] ratio. This study reveals a mechanism for efficient sulfate and nitrate formation in dust plumes in the continental atmosphere.