A Review on Brown Carbon Aerosol in China: From Molecular Composition to Climate Impact

IF 6.4 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Current Pollution Reports Pub Date : 2024-02-29 DOI:10.1007/s40726-024-00293-y

Xubing Cao, Jiumeng Liu, Yuliang Wu, Yuan Cheng, Mei Zheng, Kebin He

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

As an important type of light-absorbing aerosol in the atmosphere, brown carbon (BrC) is an effective driver for climate change. Field observations of BrC typically involve the extraction of filter samples (e.g., using water and methanol), followed by optical and chemical analyses. This review summarizes the concentration measurements, optical properties, and chemical characteristics of BrC in China, based on results from the extraction approach.

Recent Findings

We started with measurement techniques for the determination of BrC concentration and compared the extraction efficiencies of different solvents. Then we investigated the temporal and spatial variations of BrC’s absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) and mass absorption efficiency at 365 nm (MAE₃₆₅), two parameters relevant to climate studies. AAE and MAE₃₆₅ were found to be mainly influenced by the type of solvent used and BrC sources, respectively. Using the observed AAE and MAE₃₆₅, BrC was demonstrated to be a non-negligible contributor to climate forcing. Finally, BrC chromophores were discussed on a molecular level, with focus on the nitrogen-containing compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Summary

Despite studies on BrC concentrations measurements were widely conducted, standardized methods remain inconclusive. Regarding the optical properties of BrC, MAE₃₆₅ exhibited significant temporal and spatial patterns, while AAE showed the opposite results. Through chemical characterization, BrC chromophores were identified and their association with optical properties was highlighted. This review contributes to the understanding of BrC properties and has implications for future studies on BrC.

Graphical Abstract

Abstract Image

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中国棕碳气溶胶综述：从分子组成到气候影响

综述目的棕碳（BrC）是大气中一种重要的光吸收气溶胶，是气候变化的有效驱动因素。对褐碳的实地观测通常需要提取过滤样品（例如使用水和甲醇），然后进行光学和化学分析。本综述根据萃取方法的结果，总结了中国 BrC 的浓度测量、光学特性和化学特征。然后，我们研究了 BrC 的吸收Ångström 指数（AAE）和 365 纳米波长的质量吸收效率（MAE365）这两个与气候研究相关的参数的时空变化。研究发现，AAE 和 MAE365 分别主要受所用溶剂类型和 BrC 来源的影响。利用观测到的 AAE 和 MAE365，可以证明 BrC 对气候强迫具有不可忽视的贡献。最后，从分子层面讨论了 BrC 的发色团，重点是含氮化合物和多环芳烃。摘要尽管有关 BrC 浓度测量的研究已广泛开展，但标准化方法仍然没有定论。关于 BrC 的光学特性，MAE365 显示了显著的时间和空间模式，而 AAE 则显示了相反的结果。通过化学特性分析，确定了 BrC 的发色团，并强调了它们与光学特性的关系。这篇综述有助于人们了解 BrC 的特性，并对今后的 BrC 研究具有指导意义。

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来源期刊

Current Pollution Reports Environmental Science-Water Science and Technology

CiteScore

12.10

自引率

1.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Current Pollution Reports provides in-depth review articles contributed by international experts on the most significant developments in the field of environmental pollution.By presenting clear, insightful, balanced reviews that emphasize recently published papers of major importance, the journal elucidates current and emerging approaches to identification, characterization, treatment, management of pollutants and much more.