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High time resolution analysis of atmospheric particulate sulfur-nitrogen-containing organic compounds in Shanghai using a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system
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Researchers measured sulfur and nitrogen containing organic chemicals in urban air particles in Shanghai, sampling every three hours. They found compounds called benzothiazoles, linked to tire-wear particles, at higher levels than previously reported, with concentrations changing based on time of day and temperature.
Sulfur-nitrogen-containing organic compounds (CHNS and CHONS) are potentially important constituents of organic aerosols (OAs). However, high-time-resolution molecular characterization of these compounds remains limited, leaving their rapid diurnal variations and sensitivity to short-term emission fluctuation poorly constrained. Here, we used a versatile aerosol enrichment system (VACES) to conduct a 3-hour resolution online sampling of urban aerosols in Shanghai, coupled with HPLC-Q-TOF-MS in both positive and negative ion modes for molecular identification and quantification. Many more molecules were detected in the negative ion mode, with 3567 CHONS and 460 CHNS formulas detected. Three-hourly profiles showed distinct diurnal patterns for partially oxidized versus highly oxidized CHONS, indicating different sources and formation pathways. In addition, six most intense nitrooxy-organosulfates were identified in this study, with two quantitatively analyzed for their diurnal variations. Both compounds exhibited significantly higher concentrations at night, suggesting nocturnal oxidation as a key source for these CHONS. Furthermore, motivated by their high intensities and potential toxicity, six benzothiazoles associated with tire-wear particles were also identified and quantified. Among them, benzothiazole-2-sulfonic acid and 2-hydroxybenzothiazole exhibited mean concentrations of 26.2 and 6.8 ng m−3, respectively, far exceeding previously reported levels. Subsequent analysis suggested that elevated temperatures and secondary reactions may promote the concentration of 2-hydroxybenzothiazole. Overall, this work demonstrates the utility of high-resolution online sampling for resolving the molecular diversity of sulfur-nitrogen-containing organic compounds. It also provides new insights into their sources and evolution in urban aerosols.
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Researchers quantified 39 tire-related chemicals in urban and rural aerosol samples from two German cities, finding that tire and road wear particles contribute a diverse mixture of organic chemicals — including toxic benzothiazoles and p-phenylenediamines — to urban air. The study establishes that tire particles are a significant source of chemical contamination in city air, with implications for human inhalation exposure.
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