Source-specific VOCs and atmospheric oxidation capacity drive the formation of secondary aerosols and visibility impairment in East Asia suburban environments
Journal
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Journal Volume
510
Start Page
142131
ISSN
03043894
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Author(s)
Chen, Tse-Lun
Lee, Kuan-Chieh
Yeh, Jun-Fa
Wu, Jian-Xian
Young, Li-Hao
Lin, Neng-Huei
Tsay, Si-Chee
Lin, Wen-Yinn
Lin, Chia-Hsin
Abstract
PM2.5 concentrations have declined under tighter controls, yet visibility in many East Asian suburbs has not improved proportionally. This discrepancy poses challenges for air quality management and policy formulation. Here, using a three-year campaign (2020–2022) integrating semi-continuous aerosol chemistry, size-resolved optics, and VOC source apportionment at a suburban receptor site in central Taiwan, we investigate a mixed urban-industrial environment influenced by regional transport conditions common to many East Asian settings. Our analysis identifies that organic matter contributed up to 52% of summer light extinction by 2022, with accumulation-mode particles (100–1000 nm) accounting for over 80% of total extinction, amplified by hygroscopic growth. Sensitivity analysis reveals that under prevailing ammonia-excess, VOC-limited conditions, daytime nitrate formation is three times more responsive to oxidant (Ox) availability than to NOx concentrations. Positive Matrix Factorization identifies industrial solvent usage (57% of total secondary organic aerosol formation potential) and traffic exhaust as dominant reactive VOC sources, providing clear targets for co-reducing atmospheric oxidation capacity and secondary aerosol formation.
Subjects
Aerosol light extinction
Atmospheric oxidation capacity
OFP
SOAFP
Visibility deterioration
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article