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Aqueous secondary formation substantially contributes to hydrophilic organophosphate esters in aerosols

Author

Listed:
  • Shaojun Lv

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • LeLe Tian

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

  • Shizhen Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Kevin C. Jones

    (Lancaster University)

  • Duohong Chen

    (Guangdong Environmental Monitoring Center)

  • Guangcai Zhong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jun Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Buqing Xu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ping’an Peng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Gan Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Chemicals of emerging concern (CECs), like organophosphate esters (OPEs), are toxic substances threatening human and wildlife health. Yet the atmospheric transformation of CECs remains poorly understood. Here we combine field measurements and partitioning models to reveal that OPEs could be enhanced by aqueous-phase processes in aerosols. We show that hydrophobic OPEs are absorbed favorably into the organic phase, whereas hydrophilic OPEs preferably partition into the aqueous phase. We provide field evidence that enhanced aqueous secondary formation of OPEs occurs in winter, and its magnitude is strongly dependent on aerosol water content. We suggest that dissolved inorganic salts and transition metals in aerosols positively impact the formation of particle-bound hydrophilic OPEs, by facilitating aqueous partitioning and/or oxidation. Our findings highlight the important role of aqueous oxidation chemistry for the fate of CECs in the atmosphere, urging better consideration of transformation products in future risk assessment and chemical management.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaojun Lv & LeLe Tian & Shizhen Zhao & Kevin C. Jones & Duohong Chen & Guangcai Zhong & Jun Li & Buqing Xu & Ping’an Peng & Gan Zhang, 2025. "Aqueous secondary formation substantially contributes to hydrophilic organophosphate esters in aerosols," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59361-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59361-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Junfeng Wang & Jingyi Li & Jianhuai Ye & Jian Zhao & Yangzhou Wu & Jianlin Hu & Dantong Liu & Dongyang Nie & Fuzhen Shen & Xiangpeng Huang & Dan Dan Huang & Dongsheng Ji & Xu Sun & Weiqi Xu & Jianping, 2020. "Fast sulfate formation from oxidation of SO2 by NO2 and HONO observed in Beijing haze," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Qifan Liu & Li Li & Xianming Zhang & Amandeep Saini & Wenlong Li & Hayley Hung & Chunyan Hao & Kun Li & Patrick Lee & Jeremy J. B. Wentzell & Chunyan Huo & Shao-Meng Li & Tom Harner & John Liggio, 2021. "Uncovering global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in air," Nature, Nature, vol. 600(7889), pages 456-461, December.
    3. Timothy F. M. Rodgers & Amanda Giang & Miriam L. Diamond & Emma Gillies & Amandeep Saini, 2023. "Emissions and fate of organophosphate esters in outdoor urban environments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Buqing Xu & Gan Zhang & Örjan Gustafsson & Kimitaka Kawamura & Jun Li & August Andersson & Srinivas Bikkina & Bhagawati Kunwar & Ambarish Pokhrel & Guangcai Zhong & Shizhen Zhao & Jing Li & Chen Huang, 2022. "Large contribution of fossil-derived components to aqueous secondary organic aerosols in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
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