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Sulfate formation is dominated by manganese-catalyzed oxidation of SO2 on aerosol surfaces during haze events

Author

Listed:
  • Weigang Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Mingyuan Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tiantian Wang

    (Peking University)

  • Yu Song

    (Peking University)

  • Li Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Junji Cao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jingnan Hu

    (Institute of Atmospheric Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences)

  • Guigang Tang

    (State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Quality Control in Environmental Monitoring, China National Environmental Monitoring Centre)

  • Zhe Chen

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Zhijie Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhenying Xu

    (Peking University)

  • Chao Peng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chaofan Lian

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yan Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yuepeng Pan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yunhong Zhang

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Yele Sun

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Weijun Li

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Tong Zhu

    (Peking University)

  • Hezhong Tian

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Maofa Ge

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The formation mechanism of aerosol sulfate during wintertime haze events in China is still largely unknown. As companions, SO2 and transition metals are mainly emitted from coal combustion. Here, we argue that the transition metal-catalyzed oxidation of SO2 on aerosol surfaces could be the dominant sulfate formation pathway and investigate this hypothesis by integrating chamber experiments, numerical simulations and in-field observations. Our analysis shows that the contribution of the manganese-catalyzed oxidation of SO2 on aerosol surfaces is approximately one to two orders of magnitude larger than previously known routes, and contributes 69.2% ± 5.0% of the particulate sulfur production during haze events. This formation pathway could explain the missing source of sulfate and improve the understanding of atmospheric chemistry and climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Weigang Wang & Mingyuan Liu & Tiantian Wang & Yu Song & Li Zhou & Junji Cao & Jingnan Hu & Guigang Tang & Zhe Chen & Zhijie Li & Zhenying Xu & Chao Peng & Chaofan Lian & Yan Chen & Yuepeng Pan & Yunho, 2021. "Sulfate formation is dominated by manganese-catalyzed oxidation of SO2 on aerosol surfaces during haze events," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22091-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22091-6
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