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Unveiling a large fraction of hidden organosulfates in ambient organic aerosol

Author

Listed:
  • Jialiang Ma

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Natalie Reininger

    (Goethe University Frankfurt
    Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Cunliang Zhao

    (Hebei University of Engineering)

  • Damian Döbler

    (German Environment Agency)

  • Julian Rüdiger

    (German Environment Agency)

  • Yanting Qiu

    (Peking University)

  • Florian Ungeheuer

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Mario Simon

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Luca D’Angelo

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Anna Breuninger

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Julia David

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Yanxin Bai

    (Hunan University)

  • Yushan Li

    (Hunan University)

  • Ying Xue

    (Hunan University)

  • Lili Li

    (Hunan University)

  • Yuchen Wang

    (Hunan University)

  • Stefanie Hildmann

    (Johannes Gutenberg-University)

  • Thorsten Hoffmann

    (Johannes Gutenberg-University)

  • Bangjun Liu

    (Hebei University of Engineering)

  • Hongya Niu

    (Hebei University of Engineering)

  • Zhijun Wu

    (Peking University)

  • Alexander L. Vogel

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

Abstract

Organosulfates are key compounds driving the anthropogenic enhancement of ambient organic aerosol, however, total organosulfate quantification remains elusive due to their molecular diversity and the scarcity of authentic standards. Here, we present a solid-phase extraction method that isolates organosulfates from ambient aerosol samples and enables their identification and quantification using mass spectrometry and a charged aerosol detector, respectively. We investigate ambient aerosol samples from urban China and rural Germany and quantify ~130 and ~65 chromatographically resolved organosulfates, respectively, contributing less than ~2% to the total organic matter. We find a significantly larger organosulfate fraction appearing as a broad peak in the chromatograms from the charged aerosol detector. Confirming its origin from chromatographically non-resolved organosulfates, an all-ion fragmentation experiment reveals specific sulfate-related ions. Integrating this peak, we find the contribution of organosulfates to organic aerosol is 12-17% and ~21% in samples from urban China and rural Germany, respectively. These findings emphasise the potential of sulfur emission reduction for mitigating both sulfate-related and organic aerosol pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Jialiang Ma & Natalie Reininger & Cunliang Zhao & Damian Döbler & Julian Rüdiger & Yanting Qiu & Florian Ungeheuer & Mario Simon & Luca D’Angelo & Anna Breuninger & Julia David & Yanxin Bai & Yushan L, 2025. "Unveiling a large fraction of hidden organosulfates in ambient organic aerosol," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59420-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59420-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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