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The Isotopic Characteristics, Sources, and Formation Pathways of Atmospheric Sulfate and Nitrate in the South China Sea

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  • Yongyun Zhang

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Min Gao

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Xi Sun

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Baoling Liang

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Guangzhou Sub-Branch of Guangdong Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Cuizhi Sun

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Qibin Sun

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Dongguan Meteorological Bureau, Dongguan Engineering Technology Research Center of Urban Eco-Environmental Meteorology, Dongguan 523086, China)

  • Xue Ni

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Guangzhou Climate and Agrometeorology Center, Guangzhou 511430, China)

  • Hengjia Ou

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Shixin Mai

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Shengzhen Zhou

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Jun Zhao

    (Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Climate Environment and Air Quality Change in the Pearl River Estuary, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China)

Abstract

The South China Sea (SCS) is a crucial region for studying atmospheric aerosols, given its unique geographical location and the interaction of various natural and anthropogenic sources. In this study, we measured the isotopic characteristics of sulfate and nitrate in PM 2.5 and utilized a Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR) to analyze their sources and formation pathways. Sulfur isotopic values in sulfate (δ 34 S-SO 4 2− ) were 8.7 ± 1.8‰, while nitrogen and oxygen isotopic values in nitrate (δ 15 N-NO 3 − and δ 18 O-NO 3 − ) were −0.9 ± 2.4‰ and 52.3 ± 7.3‰, respectively. The results revealed that sulfate was primarily influenced by marine biogenic sulfur emissions (mostly dimethyl sulfide, DMS), fossil fuel combustion, and biomass burning. Nitrate formation was dominated by the NO 2 + •OH pathway (accounting for 69.8–85.7%), with significant contributions from vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and lightning. These findings offer key insights into the complex interactions between natural and anthropogenic aerosol sources in the SCS, contributing to a broader understanding of marine aerosol chemistry.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongyun Zhang & Min Gao & Xi Sun & Baoling Liang & Cuizhi Sun & Qibin Sun & Xue Ni & Hengjia Ou & Shixin Mai & Shengzhen Zhou & Jun Zhao, 2024. "The Isotopic Characteristics, Sources, and Formation Pathways of Atmospheric Sulfate and Nitrate in the South China Sea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:20:p:8733-:d:1495367
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrew C. Parnell & Donald L. Phillips & Stuart Bearhop & Brice X. Semmens & Eric J. Ward & Jonathan W. Moore & Andrew L. Jackson & Jonathan Grey & David J. Kelly & Richard Inger, 2013. "Bayesian stable isotope mixing models," Environmetrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(6), pages 387-399, September.
    2. Shiyuan Ding & Yingying Chen & Qinkai Li & Xiao-Dong Li, 2022. "Using Stable Sulfur Isotope to Trace Sulfur Oxidation Pathways during the Winter of 2017–2019 in Tianjin, North China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, September.
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